Columbia representative foregoing last term
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
After six years, Rep. Kip Kendrick, D-Columbia, is resigning.
In a news release, Kendrick said he will forego his final term, which he was elected to on Nov. 3, to join Senator-elect Greg Razer, D-Kansas City, as his chief of staff. The two worked together over the past four years in the Missouri House of Representatives.
Kendrick said he remains committed to the Democratic party and focused on the state's budget.
He added that he is proud of his work to date on the budget. He served six years on the state budget committee with three and a half as the ranking minority member.
Kendrick said he focused his time and energy on opening new lines of communication along with building trust, but that term limits make it all more difficult.
"In the age of term limits, the seat that I have worked hard to attain and honor to the very best of my ability is two short years from being pulled out from under me," Kendrick said.
He said members of the General Assembly are just earning their stripes when their terms are up, leaving a "lack of institutional knowledge by elected officials."
Kendrick said the job with Razer will ensure his ability to continue impacting public policy in Missouri while allowing him to continue to build on the foundation he has built over the last six years.
"It has been my absolute honor to serve my constituents as representative of the 45th District," Kendrick said. "I know my decision will upset some, and I understand, but I ask that you please know my decision is made in good faith as a way to continue the work that I started six years ago. I am no less committed today than at the beginning of my first term to serving the people of Missouri."
