Documents show Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach frequently flies in the state-owned executive aircraft to promote voter ID efforts outside of Kansas and to speak at Republican political events across the state. All of that is at state expense.

The Associated Press used open record requests to document thousands of dollars Kobach spent to fly more than 4,350 miles during a 15-month period.

Several flights appeared to either offer no benefit to Kansas or have little connection to Kobach’s official duties. On some trips, the state business coincided with Republican Party functions where he spoke, and his family often flew with him.

Kobach says he visited county election officials and his public appearances did not cost extra.

Kansas has no written guidelines for state agencies traveling on the state plane.