Topeka (AP) — Republican activists in Kansas have named a Kansas City-area attorney as the party’s new state chairman.

Michael Kuckelman of Overland Park faced no opposition and was elected to a two-year term by the GOP State Committee in a meeting Saturday.

Kuckelman replaces Kelly Arnold, who had decided to retire as chairman after six years.

During Arnold’s first two terms, Republicans swept all statewide and congressional races, but in last year’s elections, Democrats Laura Kelly and Sharice Davids won the governor’s race and the 3rd Congressional District seat in the Kansas City area.

Kuckelman promised GOP activists to build party unity and improve GOP voter turnout.

Kuckelman also has made headlines in recent weeks by representing Kansas Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning in a defamation lawsuit against The Kansas City Star.