Michelle Derusseau

A Wakarusa Township resident on Monday announced her plans to run for a seat on the Douglas County Commission.

Michelle Derusseau, 52, is running as a Republican for Jim Flory’s Third District seat on the County Commission. Flory’s term expires this year.

When asked whether he plans to run for re-election, Flory replied: “Absolutely, unequivocally and without question, no. When I finish this term, I’ll have been there eight years. I’ve enjoyed it, but it’s about time for a change and to get some new thoughts and views on the commission from somebody else.

“I’m enjoying my semi-retirement, but I’m ready to enjoy my full retirement,” Flory added.

While Derusseau has announced her plans to run for county commissioner, Ben Lampe, deputy Douglas County clerk, said she has not yet officially filed her candidacy. The deadline to file is June 1.

As of Monday afternoon, nobody had officially filed their candidacy for county commissioner, Lampe said.

Derusseau, a Kansas University Endowment Association employee, attended KU and holds a certificate of human resources from the University of Missouri at St. Louis.

Over the past 26 years, she has worked as president of the Lawrence Police Foundation, campaign coordinator for the United Way of Douglas County and as part of the Douglas County Community Emergency Response Team.

A Kansas City area native, Derusseau began her political career early, working on mayoral and United States representative campaigns.

“I actually worked on my first political campaign when I was in sixth grade and a couple in high school,” she said. “I kind of felt that this was my next step or my civic duty. And now that Jim Flory’s retiring, I thought this was my opportunity to give back and do some good things.”

In recent months, Derusseau said she’s been taking a larger interest in local politics, actively attending weekly county commission meetings and board meetings for area townships.

Among the prevalent issues facing the county today, Derusseau said, she plans to focus on infrastructure, public safety and working in unison with local municipalities.

“It’s going to be really important that we grow our tax base,” she said. “We keep getting more and more requests for services, and the state and federal government are passing things to local governments. We can’t keep putting that burden on our taxpayers.”

Among other things, growing the county’s tax base will allow local government to “keep people safe and make sure our first responders are well equipped to take care of our citizens,” Derusseau said.

The Douglas County primary elections will take place Aug. 2, and the general election will be held on Nov. 8.