Lynn Haag Jenkins (born June 10, 1963) is an American politician and lobbyist who served as the

U.S. representative The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...

for , in office from 2009 to 2019. She previously served as Kansas State Treasurer from 2003 to 2008, in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2000 and the Kansas Senate from 2000 to 2002. She is a member of the

Republican Party Republican Party is a name used by many political parties around the world, though the term most commonly refers to the United States' Republican Party. Republican Party may also refer to: Africa *Republican Party (Liberia) * Republican Part ...

. She is a founder of

Maggie's List Maggie's List is a United States federal political action committee founded in Florida in 2010 to "raise awareness and funds to increase the number of conservative women elected to federal public office." It is named after Margaret Chase Smith ...

, a political action committee designed to increase the number of conservative women elected to federal public office. Jenkins announced in January 2017 that she would not be running for re-election in 2018 and she left the House when her term expired on January 3, 2019.

Early life, education, and early political career

Jenkins was born in

Holton, Kansas Holton is a city in and the county seat of Jackson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 3,401. History The party that chose the site of Holton started at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in May 1856. A ...

, and is a sixth-generation Kansan. She was raised on a dairy farm in Holton, where she attended high school. Later she graduated from

Kansas State University Kansas State University (KSU, Kansas State, or K-State) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Manhattan, Kansas, United States. It was opened as the state's land-grant college in 1863 and was the first public instit ...

and

Weber State College Weber State University (pronounced ) is a public university in Ogden, Utah. It was founded in 1889 as Weber Stake Academy. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. History Weber State University was founded ...

with an

accounting Accounting, also known as accountancy, is the measurement, processing, and communication of financial and non financial information about economic entities such as businesses and corporations. Accounting, which has been called the "languag ...

major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

and an economics

minor Minor may refer to: * Minor (law), a person under the age of certain legal activities. ** A person who has not reached the age of majority * Academic minor, a secondary field of study in undergraduate education Music theory *Minor chord ** Barb ...

. She is a

Certified Public Accountant Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is the title of qualified accountants in numerous countries in the English-speaking world. It is generally equivalent to the title of chartered accountant in other English-speaking countries. In the United Sta ...

. Jenkins served for two years in the Kansas House of Representatives and for one term in the Kansas Senate. She was elected state treasurer in 2002, at which time she began serving in a number of organizations, including as president of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST). Lynn's brother is Chris Haag and she also has a sister.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2008

On April 4, 2007, Jenkins announced that she had filed papers with the Federal Election Commission as a first step of running for the U.S. House of Representatives for Kansas's 2nd congressional district. Her opponent in the Republican

primary Primary or primaries may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels * Primary (band), from Australia * Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea * Primary Music, Israeli record label Works * ...

was former U.S. Representative Jim Ryun, who served five terms before being defeated in 2006 by prior

Democratic Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

incumbent Nancy Boyda, who ran for reelection. In the campaign between Jenkins and Ryun, he criticized her for having voted for tax increases while a state legislator, and she criticized him for having supported earmarks. Jenkins was seen as more moderate than Ryun and received the support of the Republican Leadership Council. The primary was held on August 5, 2008. Jenkins won the Republican nomination by approximately 1,000 votes. In the general election, Jenkins went on to defeat Boyda 51%–46%.

2010

Jenkins won re-election to a second term, defeating Democratic candidate Cheryl Hudspeth, 63%–32%.

2012

Jenkins won re-election to a third term, defeating Democratic candidate Tobias Schlingensiepen, 57%–39%.

Tenure

Lynn Jenkins, official portrait, 113th Congress

In June 2013, after the United States farm bill failed again, Jenkins claimed she was disappointed in House Republicans, who were divided over the issue. She blamed the failure in the House on the inability to find common ground, stating that there are still too many Democratic and Republican members who allowed politics to trump progress. Jenkins was ranked as the 96th most bipartisan member of the House during the

114th United States Congress The 114th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States of America federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from Jan ...

The Lugar Center Richard Green Lugar (April 4, 1932 – April 28, 2019) was an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Indiana from 1977 to 2013. He was a member of the Republican Party. Born in Indianapolis, Lugar graduated from De ...

and the McCourt School of Public Policy. In December 2017, Jenkins voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Jenkins says the bill will provide tax relief to middle-class Americans and create more jobs. She also claims the bill will improve the economy and therefore will "pay down our national debt," despite the bill being anticipated to add over $1 trillion to the national debt.

"The Great White Hope"

At a town hall on August 19, 2009, Jenkins commented on President Barack Obama's policies, saying, "Republicans are struggling right now to find the great white hope." Jenkins said to the crowd. "I suggest to any of you who are concerned about that, who are Republican, there are some great young Republican minds in Washington." Jenkins then gave the names of several young, white Republicans. "The Great White Hope," a phrase that originated in the early 1900s, was a reference to any boxer whites hoped would finally defeat the World Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson, who was black. Jenkins later apologized, clarifying her remarks and saying that "I was explaining that there are some bright lights in the House, and I was unaware of any negative connotation. If I offended somebody, obviously I apologize." Only one month earlier she had voted for a resolution urging President Obama to pardon black U.S. boxer Johnson, which had text that explained the meaning of the phrase "The Great White Hope". Jenkins responded by saying she had voted for the resolution without reading it first.

Lobbying

Before her tenure in Congress ended, Jenkins set up the lobbying firm LJ Strategies. She registered the firm in Kansas on November 20, 2018. Jenkins' spokesperson said that Jenkins did not intend to actively seek clients until her congressional term had ended.

Committee assignments

Jenkins was assigned to the Committee on Financial Services including the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises and the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. She was named to the Ways and Means Committee when the Republicans gained control of the House for the

112th Congress The 112th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, from January 3, 2011, until January 3, 2013. It convened in Washington, D.C. on January 3, 2011, and ended on January 3, 2013, 17 ...

. Jenkins was a member of the Republican Study Committee, the Republican Main Street Partnership, and the Tea Party Caucus.

Caucus memberships

* Republican Study Committee * Republican Main Street Partnership * Tea Party Caucus *Congressional Cement Caucus *

Congressional Prayer Caucus James Randy Forbes (born February 17, 1952) is an American politician. A member of the Republican Party, he was the U.S. representative for , serving from 2001 to 2017. Prior to joining the United States Congress, he was a member of the Virgin ...

* Tea Party Caucus * Congressional Constitution Caucus * Congressional Arts Caucus * Congressional Western Caucus *

Climate Solutions Caucus The Climate Solutions Caucus is a bipartisan caucus of U.S. legislators supported by the Citizens' Climate Lobby whose members work to achieve action addressing the risks from climate change. The House of Representatives and Senate each have a ca ...

Problem Solvers Caucus The Problem Solvers Caucus is a bipartisan group in the United States House of Representatives that includes members equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, who seek to foster bipartisan cooperation on key policy issues. The group was c ...

Political positions

Jenkins had a mostly conservative voting record in Congress. According to the ''Washington Examiner'', "Jenkins, who had originally won her 2008 primary as a moderate, proved to be a fairly reliable conservative vote once she got to Congress (91 percent lifetime ACU rating and 73 percent Heritage Action in the last Congress)." In 2013, the non-partisan ''

National Journal ''National Journal'' is an advisory services company based in Washington, D.C., offering services in government affairs, advocacy communications, stakeholder mapping, and policy brands research for government and business leaders. It publishes da ...

'' gave Jenkins a score of 77% conservative and 23% liberal.

Crime

In a 2000 survey from Vote Smart, Jenkins indicated that if elected, she would support the use of the

death penalty Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is the state-sanctioned practice of deliberately killing a person as a punishment for an actual or supposed crime, usually following an authorized, rule-governed process to conclude that t ...

in Kansas, contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons, and prosecuting youth accused of a felony as adults.

Energy and environment

Jenkins was in favor of the

Keystone XL Pipeline The Keystone Pipeline System is an oil pipeline system in Canada and the United States, commissioned in 2010 and owned by TC Energy and as of 31 March 2020 the Government of Alberta. It runs from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin in Albert ...

, stating that it would create more jobs and enable the United States to compete against China. She supports federal funding for

renewable energy Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. It includes sources such as sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. Although most renewable energy ...

. Jenkins has a zero rating from Environment America regarding her environment-related voting record. She opposes federal regulations of greenhouse gas emissions and considers it government overreach.

Gun law

Jenkins has a 93 percent rating from the

National Rifle Association The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is a gun rights advocacy group based in the United States. Founded in 1871 to advance rifle marksmanship, the modern NRA has become a prominent Gun politics in the United States, gun rights ...

regarding her gun-related voting record. She supports banning the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns except those used for hunting. She supports background checks at gun shows.

Health care

Jenkins supported the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare").

Economic issues

Jenkins believes cutting government spending will increase job opportunities and improve the economy. Jenkins opposes increasing taxes to work towards a

balanced budget A balanced budget (particularly that of a government) is a budget in which revenues are equal to expenditures. Thus, neither a budget deficit nor a budget surplus exists (the accounts "balance"). More generally, it is a budget that has no budge ...

Immigration

Jenkins has a zero rating from the

National Hispanic Leadership Agenda The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) is a non-profit leadership association. Established in 1991, the group consists of Hispanic leaders and national organizations throughout the United States. It is a nonpartisan organization that works ...

for her immigration-related voting record. Jenkins believes that by "improving" the Mexico–United States border it will be "more difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain and use false identification documents." She supports installing technology and building additional fences along the border. In 2008, Jenkins stated that she is against amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Regarding DACA and the

Dreamers Dreamers or The Dreamers may refer to: Books * "Dreamers", a 1918 war poem by Siegfried Sassoon * "The Dreamers" (play), a 1982 play by Jack Davis * ''The Dreamers'' (novel series), a 2003–06 fantasy series by David Eddings and Leigh Eddings ...

, Jenkins released the following statement: "These children did not come to America on their own terms, they simply followed their parents. In the coming weeks, I look forward to working with my colleagues to create a permanent solution through the legislative process with input from Kansans in the 2nd District."

Abortion

Jenkins described herself as "pro-choice" or pro-abortion rights while running for Congress. She frequently received a zero percent score from NARAL Pro-Choice America and a 100 percent score from the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) for her voting record on abortion-related legislation. She received mixed ratings from

Planned Parenthood The Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. (PPFA), or simply Planned Parenthood, is a nonprofit organization that provides reproductive health care in the United States and globally. It is a tax-exempt corporation under Internal Reve ...

and NARAL. Also in 2009, Population Connection, which supports family planning, gave her a 100% score. Her lowest score from NRLC is an 83%, mostly earning a 100% score. She supports abortion when pregnancy results from incest, rape or the woman's life is threatened; asked about ''

Roe v Wade ''Roe v. Wade'', 410 U.S. 113 (1973),. was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States conferred the right to have an abortion. The decision struck down many federal and s ...

'', the decision legalizing abortion, she replied that it was a "constitutional issue" on which she would not take a position. She opposes partial-birth abortions and federal funding for organizations who provide abortions. She supports providing buffer zones around abortion clinics for both protesters to demonstrate and to provide security for patients. During her 2007-2008 congressional campaign, Jenkins was endorsed by and received campaign contributions from pro-abortion rights Republican PACs, The WISH List and Republican Majority for Choice. The Republican Majority for Choice was among her top 100 contributors in 2010. Jenkins was referred to as "pro-choice" during the campaign and "Jenkins was endorsed by WISH List, a Republican group." In 2014, Jenkins was endorsed by Kansans for Life, an anti-abortion PAC.

Drug policy

Jenkins has a "C−" rating from NORML for her voting history regarding cannabis-related causes. Jenkins supports veterans having access to medical marijuana if recommended by their Veterans Health Administration doctor and if it is legal for medicinal purposes in their state of residence. She opposes decriminalizing medical marijuana.

LGBT issues

Jenkins opposed same-sex marriage and supported Kansas legislation to make marriage only between a man and a woman. She considered it government overreach and believed states should be able to decide for themselves. She did support Kansas including sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws. Jenkins voted against repealing the Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy, to prohibit funds being used against the Defense of Marriage Act, and she voted against prohibiting federal funds from being given to organizations that discriminate based on sexual orientation. She did vote in favor of the 2009-2010 Defense Appropriations bill that expanded hate crime laws to include sexual orientation, and she voted in favor of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2013 which prohibited that program's funds from being given to groups that discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation. She received a 10% from the

Human Rights Campaign The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is an American LGBTQ advocacy group. It is the largest LGBTQ political lobbying organization within the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., the organization focuses on protecting and expanding rights for LGB ...

, an LGBTQ PAC, in 2010, mostly receiving a 0% during her tenure. After the Supreme Court allowed a lower court ruling to stand that struck down Kansas' ban on same-sex marriage, Jenkins said that she was going to focus on other issues. "'The Supreme Court has spoken, or not spoken in this situation'", said Jenkins. "'So by default the court says it's not constitutional, so before too long, that will be a law.'" She did not take a position on legislation to ban same-sex marriage as Treasurer.

Electoral history

, + Kansas House, District 52: Results 1998 ! Year ! ! Republican ! Party ! Votes ! % ! ! Democratic ! Party ! Votes ! % ! , - , 1998 , , , , Lynn Jenkins , , Republican , , 5,550 , , 63% , , , Fran Lee , ,

, , 3,218 , , 37% , , + Kansas Senate, District 20: Results 2000 ! Year ! ! Republican ! Party ! Votes ! % ! ! Democratic ! Party ! Votes ! % ! , - , 2000 , , , , Lynn Jenkins , , Republican , , 20,987 , , 67% , , , Jim Clark , ,

, , 10,187 , , 33% , , + Kansas Treasurer: Results 2002–2006 ! Year ! ! Republican ! Party ! Votes ! % ! ! Democratic ! Party ! Votes ! % ! , - , 2002 , , , , Lynn Jenkins , , Republican , , 457,407 , , 56% , , , Sally Finney , ,

, , 354,157 , , 44% , , - , 2006 , , , , Lynn Jenkins , , Republican , , 516,940 , , 64% , , , Larry Wilson , ,

, , 286,148 , , 36% , , + : Results 2008–2016 ! Year ! ! Republican ! Party ! Votes ! % ! ! Democratic ! Party ! Votes ! % ! ! Third Party ! Party ! Votes ! % ! ! Third Party ! Party ! Votes ! % ! , - ,

2008 File:2008 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Lehman Brothers went bankrupt following the Subprime mortgage crisis; Cyclone Nargis killed more than 138,000 in Myanmar; A scene from the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing; ...

, , , , Lynn Jenkins , , Republican , , 155,532 , , 51% , , , Nancy Boyda , ,

, , 142,013 , , 46% , , , Leslie Martin , , Reform , , 5,080 , , 2% , , , Robert Garrard , ,

Libertarian Libertarianism (from french: libertaire, "libertarian"; from la, libertas, "freedom") is a political philosophy that upholds liberty as a core value. Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state's e ...

, , 4,683 , , 2% , - ,

2010 File:2010 Events Collage New.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2010 Chile earthquake was one of the strongest recorded in history; The Eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland disrupts air travel in Europe; A scene from the opening ceremony of ...

, , , , Lynn Jenkins , , Republican , , 130,034 , , 63% , , , Cheryl Hudspeth , ,

, , 66,588 , , 32% , , , Robert Garrard , ,

, , 9,353 , , 5% , - ,

2012 File:2012 Events Collage V3.png, From left, clockwise: The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; People gather ...

, , , , Lynn Jenkins , , Republican , , 131,950 , , 61% , , , Tobias Schlingensiepen , ,

, , 76,249 , , 35% , , , Dennis Hawver , ,

, , 9,823 , , 5% , - ,

2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...

, , , , Lynn Jenkins , , Republican , , 128,742 , , 57% , , , Marge Wakefield , ,

, , 87,153 , , 39% , , , Christopher Clemmons , ,

, , 9,791 , , 4% , - ,

2016 File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses during the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh ...

, , , , Lynn Jenkins , , Republican , , 181,228 , , 61% , , , Britani Potter , ,

, , 96,840 , , 33% , , , James Houston Bales , ,

, , 19,333 , , 6%

Personal life

Jenkins has two children, Hayley and Hayden, and was married for 25 years. Her husband Scott filed for divorce on Friday, November 7, 2008, shortly after her election to the U.S. House. She is a member of the United Methodist Church.

References

External links

* * , - , - , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Jenkins, Lynn 1963 births 21st-century American politicians 21st-century American women politicians American accountants Women accountants American United Methodists Female members of the United States House of Representatives Republican Party Kansas state senators Living people Republican Party members of the Kansas House of Representatives People from Holton, Kansas Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Kansas State treasurers of Kansas Tea Party movement activists Weber State University alumni Women in finance Women state legislators in Kansas Women state constitutional officers of Kansas 20th-century American women politicians 20th-century American politicians