Jim Denning

Jim Denning (born August 13, 1956), is a former Republican member of the Kansas Senate, representing the 8th district from 2013 to 2021.

Early life On August 13, 1956, Denning was born in Great Bend, Kansas. Denning's father was Paul Denning, an oil field worker. Denning's mother was Albertine Denning. Denning was the sixth of nine siblings.

Career In 2010, Denning began to serve the Kansas House of Representatives, with support from Governor Sam Brownback, the health care industry and the Koch brothers, defeating moderate Republican incumbent Tim Owens (politician) and was re-elected to the Senate in 2016. On December 5, 2016, Denning was elected as the Senate Majority Leader. The American Conservative Union gave him a lifetime evaluation of 79%. In 2020, he worked with Democratic Governor Laura Kelly to craft a bipartisan Medicaid expansion plan. He said Wagle's tactics were crafted "without my input" nor did they reflect his plans, continuing, "Her statements are obstructive and not how we should be governing."

He did not seek re-election in 2020.

Personal life Denning's wife is Marearl Denning. They have two children.

Denning's brother Frank was the elected sheriff of Johnson County, Kansas for thirteen years, before retiring in 2017.