Topeka ? The majority leader in the Kansas Senate has taken an important step toward launching a campaign for secretary of state.

Sen. Derek Schmidt, an Independence Republican, announced Monday that he’s appointed a campaign treasurer. State law requires such an appointment before a candidate can raise money.

The secretary of state is Kansas’ top elections official.

Schmidt stopped short of declaring his candidacy, but appointing a treasurer usually means someone intends to run.

Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, a four-term Republican, is not running again.

In the GOP primary, Schmidt would face former Kansas Republican Party chairman Kris Kobach, of Piper, and former contractors association CEO J.R. Claeys (clays), of Salina.