Snavely files for state representative seat

By Jennifer McDaniel, jennifermcdaniel@miconews.com

A Spring Hill City Council member has filed for a chance to represent the southwest portion of Johnson County as a state representative.

Scott Snavely filed by petition Monday in the Secretary of State’s office for the 43rd District, which covers Edgerton, Gardner and portions of Olathe and Spring Hill. The office is currently held by S. Mike Kiegerl, a retired Olathe educator.

“As a native Kansan who was born in the 43rd District, I am very familiar with its people, towns and neighborhoods,” Snavely said in a press release. “The people here are hard-working, caring and genuine. In talking with the more than 250 voters in the district who signed my nomination petition, I was reminded clearly of why I am seeking to represent them in the Kansas Legislature. I want to tackle the important issues that matter most to Kansans today.”

Snavely will formally kickoff his campaign during a rally at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Senior Citizens Building, 128 E. Park St., Gardner.

Born and raised in southwest Johnson County, his parents, Ralph and Louise Snavely, moved to Gardner in 1957 so that his father could pursue a teaching and coaching career. Scott is the youngest of four children they raised in Gardner.

Snavely graduated from Gardner-Edgerton High School in 1989 and went on to Emporia State University where he earned a bachelor of science degree in social sciences in 1994. He then relocated to Milwaukee where he married his college sweetheart, Jacque. After two years, the young couple and their first child decided to return to Kansas.

In 1999, while working as a restaurant manager in Topeka, Snavely returned to Emporia State to pursue a degree in education while working full-time. In 2002, Snavely achieved his dream of following in his father’s and grandparent’s footsteps by becoming a teacher.

Scott returned to the 43rd District when he and his family moved to Spring Hill in 2003. He is in his fifth year working for the Olathe school district, currently at Santa Fe Trail Junior High, where he teaches ninth-grade world history and coaches football.

Snavely was elected to a seat on the Spring Hill City Council, and he also is a member of the Spring Hill Ruritan Club, the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Kansas National Education Association.

Snavely, 37, and his wife, Jacque, who operates a home daycare business, have three sons, ages 11, 7 and 4.