Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh stepping down

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Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh is heading to the private sector.

Today Thornburgh handed in his resignation, which will go into effect February 15. Thornburgh is taking a job as senior vice president of sales and marketing of NIC, an Olathe, Kansas-based company that builds and maintains government web sites.

In a statement, Thornburgh said:

“It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve my fellow Kansans

as Secretary of State for the last 15 years. My family and I have been

very blessed by this opportunity. The support and friendships we have

received from countless Kansans has been invaluable. Thank you to the

voters and my staff for making this experience possible. I am very proud

of my record and the many accomplishments throughout my years of public

service.”

Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson will select Thornburgh’s replacement, who will finish out Thornburgh’s term (until January 10,

2011).