Mike Dodson

Michael Lee Dodson (born November 16, 1945) is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives, representing the 67th district from 2021 to 2025.

Dodson was elected to two full terms in the Kansas House of Representatives, defeating Democrats Cheryl Arthur and Kim Zito in 2020 and 2022 respectively.

Dodson is a general manager for Bechtel, the largest construction company in the United States. He is a retired United States Army lieutenant general and had previous political experience as a city commissioner and mayor of Manhattan, Kansas (2015–2018). On May 23, 2024, Dodson announced he would not seek re-election to the Kansas House.

Committee membership Dodson serves on four legislative committees in 2024: Elections Commerce, Labor and Economic Development Insurance Financial Institutions and Pensions

Early life and education Michael Lee Dodson was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where his mother was staying with his aunt's family while his father was serving as a bomber pilot with the Army Air Forces. After his father was discharged from World War II service, they moved back to Colville, Washington. Dodson graduated from Colville High School and then enrolled at the University of Washington. He enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War and was commissioned as a field artillery officer in 1968. Dodson later earned an M.S. degree in operations research and systems analysis from Kansas State University. He is also a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College and the National War College.

Military career Dodson received fixed-wing and rotary flight training at Fort Rucker in Alabama. He was deployed to Vietnam twice, first with the 334th Armored Helicopter Company and then with the 2nd Battalion, 20th Aerial Rocket Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division.

As a lieutenant general, he served as commander of the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina from September 8, 2000, to September 7, 2001, and then as deputy commander of U.S. Army Europe and the Seventh Army from September 17, 2001, to November 4, 2003.

Dodson's military decorations include two Defense Distinguished Service Medals, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, a Silver Star Medal, a Defense Superior Service Medal, four awards of the Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Bronze Star Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals and forty-five Air Medals.

Dodson is married to Diane Dodson and they have three adult children.