A group that successfully defeated an anti-abortion ballot measure in Kansas has filed a federal lawsuit against a new state law aimed at curbing foreign influence in elections.

Prosecutors must prove that people accused of falsely representing themselves as election officials acted with the intent to deceive.

Colyer, a Johnson County-based surgeon, has remained involved in Kansas politics since spending nearly a year as governor in 2018 after Gov. Sam Brownback resigned. Most recently, he chaired President Donald Trump’s campaign operation in Kansas.

About a year and a half out from the next gubernatorial election in Kansas, there’s already a crowded field of Republicans vying to flip the governor’s seat following what will be the eight-year run of Democrat Laura Kelly.

State Rep. Patrick Penn, who represents Kansas House District 85 in the Wichita-metro area, is resigning from the Legislature.

Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, who spearheaded the no vote in the 2022 abortion referendum, challenged the constitutionality of the new law.

Thursday had two filings for school boards, including longtime Emporia school teacher Barb Fowler for USD 253 board. Fowler spent over 40 years in the classroom before retiring three years ago, becoming Emporia’s first National Board Certified teacher, a Kansas Master Teacher and Emporia State Distinguished Alum along the way.