With Monday’s announcement that Rep. Charlie Roth will not seek re-election to Salina’s 71st District House seat, Salina businessman J.R. Claeys has announced his intention to run for the redrawn 71st District seat, expected to pass during this Legislative Session’s redistricting process.

“Charlie Roth has been a business leader in Salina since I was a kid and deserves our sincere thanks for his lifelong commitment to serving our community,” Claeys said. “As a Salina native and business owner, I feel very strongly about the future of our community. I want to take my business experience and conservative principles to Topeka to help grow our local economy and create good-paying jobs right here in Salina.”

Claeys was born and raised in Salina, graduated Kansas State University and returned to Salina after receiving a masters degree in public administration from George Washington University. Claeys serves as chairman of the Kansas Young Republicans and is a member of the Kansas Republican Party State Executive Committee.