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Gov. Kathleen Sebelius Governor of Kansas

In 2002, Kathleen Sebelius was elected the 44th Governor of Kansas, pledging change and cooperation to move Kansas forward. She also made history, becoming the nation's first daughter of a Governor to be elected to the same position. Her first term began in 2003.

Governor Sebelius is committed to putting the people of Kansas before anything else — improving education and health care and strengthening the Kansas economy.

Sebelius served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1987 through 1994.

In 1994, Sebelius was elected Insurance Commissioner, serving two terms and earning a reputation for independence and integrity. A career highlight included her landmark ruling rejecting the sale of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas to Anthem BCBS of Indiana. Governing Magazine recognized her tough, innovative, and tightfisted leadership in naming her one of America's Top Ten Public Officials in 2001.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, she is the daughter of John and Katie Gilligan. She has a political science degree from Trinity College and a master's degree in public administration from The University of Kansas. She and her husband, Gary Sebelius, have two sons, Ned and John.

— Courtesy of the Office of the Governor

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