Democratic governor picks former GOP leader as running mate

Sebelius names Mark Parkinson as lieutenant governor for her re-election bid

Mark Parkinson speaks to supporters after being named as running mate with Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, left, during a stop today in Overland Park. Parkinson is the former chairman of the Kansas Republican Party. Sebelius is a Democrat.

? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, today picked former Kansas Republican Party Chairman Mark Parkinson to be her lieutenant governor running mate.

The selection capped a stunning development in Kansas politics.

Republican Party officials expressed dismay at Parkinson’s switch to the Democratic Party.

But Sebelius and Parkinson met the criticism head on.

Parkinson called Sebelius a new kind of leader who ignores party labels for the public good.

“She showed us a new way to lead,” Parkinson said.

Sebelius praised Parkinson, of Olathe, as independent and having a strong character.

Sebelius made the announcement at a campaign event at the Kansas University Edwards campus.

Parkinson was accompanied by his wife, Stacy and their three children, Alex, 17, Sam, 14, and Kit, 11.

Parkinson is a former state legislator who served as state GOP chairman from 1999 to 2003.

Sebelius and Parkinson planned to visit Pittsburg, Wichita, Topeka, Dodge City, Hays and Salina during a tour of the state before officially filing to run on Thursday.