Topeka ? Secretary of State-elect Kris Kobach on Friday announced that his top assistant will be Eric Rucker, who had served as a top lieutenant to former attorney general Phill Kline.

“It is difficult to imagine a person more qualified to be assistant secretary of state,” Kobach, a Republican, said of Rucker.

In August, Rucker received an informal admonition from the state’s disciplinary administrator for lawyers for failing to correct information given to the Kansas Supreme Court when Rucker served as chief deputy to Kline during investigations of abortion providers.

The disciplinary administrator accused Rucker and Kline of violating professional ethics during the abortion investigations. Rucker denied intentionally misleading the state Supreme Court but acknowledged making some mistakes during the investigations.

Kobach also announced that Ryan Kriegshauser will serve as deputy assistant secretary of state; Kay Curtis as public affairs director; Tom Treacy as assistant to the secretary of state; and Debra Banister as executive assistant.

“I have assembled a highly experienced team that understands the needs of the Kansas Secretary of State’s office,” Kobach said.

He noted that Rucker had once served as an assistant secretary of state.