Mark Samsel

Mark Samsel is an attorney, a Kansas politician and Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives, as well as a former substitute teacher.^[1][2]

Biography[]

Samsel was born in Wellsville, Kansas and attended Wellsville High School in Wellsville, Kansas. He attended Missouri Valley College from 2003 to 2007 and earned a degree in political science, public administration, and business administration. He also attended the University of Kansas School of Law from 2007 to 2010, earning a Juris Doctor.^[3][4][5]

Career[]

Samsel was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2018 and reelected in 2020. In February 2021, though 110 members voted for terminating the exemption that prohibited spouses from being charged with sexual battery, Samsel was one of 10 men, joined by three women, who voted to retain the exemption.^[6] Speaking on the floor about the bill, Samsel said, "When you sign up for marriage, what does that involve? Not just for the next day, but for hopefully 30 and 40 and 50 years to come. There was a couple of college students before covid that came through last year. And instead of just no meaning no, and trying to get that for consent, it was actually yes means yes. So those are discussions that I hope this body continues to have." Brett Parker, an Overland Park Democrat, said the bill wouldn't establish a new crime, but instead would apply the protection evenly across all relationships.^[7]

Wellsville High School[]

On April 28, 2021, Samsel was arrested for battery on a Wellsville high school student, jailed, then released on $1,000 bond, allowing him to return to the legislative session on May 3.^[8] He had discussed suicide, sex, masturbation, God and the Bible in class, referring to one student as, "...a sophomore who's tried killing himself three times," ostensibly caused by him having, "...two parents and they're both females." "He's a foster kid. His alternatives in life were having no parents or foster care parents who are gay," Samsel told his students. "How do you think I'm going to feel if he commits suicide? Awful." ^[6]

His students captured their substitute teacher Samsel on video as he gave permission to other students to kick a classmate "in the balls." In his rant to students, he had asked, "Who likes making babies? That feels good, doesn't it? Procreate. You haven't masturbated? Don't answer that question. God already knows." In other videos Samsel is shown focusing most of his attention on a male student, telling him, "You're about ready to anger me and get the wrath of God. Do you believe me when I tell you that God has been speaking to me?" He pushed him, and the student ran to the opposite side of the classroom, yelling. He also called Republican Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson "the devil disguised in a suit and a smile."^[9][10] Masterson had called Samsel's classroom behavior "The troubled rantings of a deranged man."^[10] Samsel is alleged to have stated that God told him to kick the student in the balls. The student allegedly showed a deputy sheriff a golf ball-sized, 'road rash' and a long scratch in his back after the alleged assault. According to an affidavit by the deputy sheriff the student maintained, "his back and testicles were in pain" for roughly 15 minutes.^[11]

Reactions[]

Some local residents said Samsel had become more engaged in the community in recent years, working with youth in church groups and as a sports referee, describing Samsel as charismatic and likable, someone who could serve as a good mentor to young people, yet writing on Facebook that his behavior was shocking to them. Other parents said they had questioned Samsel's behavior for years, and his actions around their children had made them uncomfortable.^[10] Republican House leaders required his vote to override Democratic governor Laura Kelly's veto of a tax cut earlier in the session, still critically needed his vote for other measures, and had not come to any agreement on what might be done about him.^[10]

Samsel was arraigned on three counts of misdemeanor battery to which he pleaded not guilty. The judge ordered a mental health exam. The Republican House leadership declined to defer any action to first let the situation "play out."^[12]

After his arrest, he resigned from the board of trustees of his alma mater, Missouri Valley College.^[13] appeared in court on July 12, 2021, but his court-ordered mental health examination had yet to be completed. His next court date will be August 16, 2021.^[14]

In early August 2021, Samsel wrote on his Facebook page that he had surrendered his substitute teaching license. State records show it expired in June 2021. Samsel denied the allegations against him in an interview with a detective. "I would honest to God never do anything to hurt him," Samsel allegedly told police, saying he thought the student bruises "softly" and that "God works in mysterious ways."^[15]

In September 2021, Samsel pleaded guilty three charges of disorderly conduct under a deal with a local prosecutor. In addition to being placed on a year's probation, Samsel agreed to apologize in writing to his victims, seek mental health treatment, and avoid personal social media use.^[16]

Electoral history[]

References[]

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