A familiar face in Saline County politics plans to run for the Kansas Senate. Long-time Saline County Clerk Don Merriman tells KSAL News that he will run for the 24th Senate District Seat.

Republican Tom Arpke currently holds the seat.  Merriman will run as a Democrat.

Merriman is a lifelong resident of Salina. He has been the Saline County Clerk and Election Officer since January of 2000.

Merriman tells KSAL News that he is concerned about the representation we currently have in Topeka.

In a release, Merriman says “I am concerned for the future of Kansas, and believe Senator Tom Arpke will only continue to vote for Governor Brownback’s agenda, which continues to fail our district and our state.”

Merriman will remain as Saline County Clerk . The term expires, and us up for reelection, the same time as the senate seat.