Rural Douglas County resident, president of Christian campus ministry nonprofit announces candidacy for Douglas County Commission

photo by: Contributed

Rich Lorenzo

Rich Lorenzo, a rural Douglas County resident, has announced his candidacy for one of two new seats on the newly expanded five member Douglas County Commission.

In a press release shared with the Journal-World, Lorenzo said he intends to run for election in District 5, which includes a small portion of south Lawrence, southern Wakarusa Township, Baldwin City and Palmyra Township. Lorenzo, a Republican, has lived in Douglas County for nearly three decades and is currently the president of Called to Greatness, a Christian nonprofit that operates church-based ministries on campuses, including the University of Kansas and Baker University.

Lorenzo is the first Republican candidate running in District 5 and the third candidate overall. Democratic candidate Nicholas Matthews, of Lawrence, filed for the race in April. Libertarian Kirsten Kuhn will also run for the seat. Kuhn is the president and founder of the Douglas County Community Bail Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing bail burdens on residents charged in municipal court or with misdemeanors, and is an active member of faith-based advocacy group Justice Matters.

photo by: Contributed

Kirsten Kuhn

With Lorenzo’s candidacy, there are now 11 people who have filed for election for one of four seats on the expanded County Commission.