Joan Wagnon

Joan Wagnon is a retired American politician.

Wagnon was a Kansas state representative from 1983 to 1995, leaving her seat to run in the 1994 Democratic gubernatorial primary where she finished second in a field of five.^[1] She was the Mayor of Topeka from 1997 to 2001, the city's first female mayor. She was the Secretary of Revenue from January 13, 2003, until January 2011. She served as the chair of the Kansas Democratic Party from 2011 to 2015, a then 70-year-old grandma, and rebuilding it from an electoral calamity it suffered in 2010, while substantially expanding the use of information technology in its efforts.

Political Science Professor Burdette Loomis of the University of Kansan said, "Brownback has provided lots of ammunition, but Joan is a tough cookie. She didn't have to do this job, but she did, and she's worked very, very hard and hired the right people to get the party going in the right direction."^[2]

Wagnon's husband, Dr. Bill Wagnon, is a retired professor from Washburn University,^[2] who served multiple terms as the pro-science chair of the Kansas State Board of Education.^[3]

Offices held[]

• Chair, Kansas Democratic Party 2011–2015
• Secretary, Kansas Department of Revenue, 2003–2011
• Mayor, Topeka, Kansas, 1997–2001
• Representative, Kansas House of Representatives, 1983-1995

Organizations[]

• National Treasurer, Girl Scouts of the USA
• Member, Washburn University Board of Regents 1997-2001
• President, Kaw Valley Girl Scout Council, Topeka 1995-2000
• Chair, TurnAround Team 1993-1997
• Chairman of the Board of the Corporation for Change 1991-1994
• Board Member, Downtown Rotary Club
• Helen Hocker Theater Advisory Board
• Board Member, Midland Hospice of Topeka
• Former Board Member, Volunteer Center of Topeka.

References[]