A former Uber and Google executive is running for the Democratic nomination for Kansas secretary of state.
Brian McClendon's announcement Monday is a sign that Democrats are making a serious run at a statewide office held by Kris Kobach, an early supporter of President Donald Trump. Kobach is running for the Republican nomination for governor this year.
McClendon, 53, said Trump's election helped spur him to leave Silicon Valley, return to his hometown of Lawrence and consider a run for public office. He is a University of Kansas research professor who advises startup firms.
McClendon left Uber last year after nearly two years as a vice president. Before that, he was Google's vice president of engineering for nearly 11 years.