◄ Back to Driving Force, Spring 2014
Walking the Walk
 Members of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus from the state of Kansas (from left): Senators Jeff Longbine (R-Emporia), Elaine Bowers (R-Concordia) and Les Donovan (R-Wichita). |
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Members of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus share many similarities. For example, all currently serve as lawmakers in state capitols around the country and all support legislative policies that promote the automotive hobby and the industry that serves it. Three state legislators from a single state have even more in common; each is a State Senator in Kansas and each runs a car dealership in the Sunflower State. Senators Les Donovan (R-Wichita), Jeff Longbine (R-Emporia) and Elaine Bowers (R-Concordia) have been in the automotive industry for 52, 27, and 25 years respectively and each came to public service with the goal of allowing businesses and communities to prosper.
Senator Les Donovan started Donovan Auto (Cadillac, Buick, GMC) in Wichita in 1977. In the 1990s, Donovan vowed to do what it took to help ease the state’s high property tax on vehicles and clean up the workers compensation system. Donovan was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 1992 and then elected to the Kansas Senate in 1997 with the specific aim of removing these and other obstacles facing state businesses. He also served two terms as Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. Donovan was named as Kansas’ 2002 Time Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year.
Senator Jeff Longbine is the third generation to run Longbine Auto Plaza (Chevrolet, Buick). He swept floors and sold cars before becoming a partner in 1986 and then taking ownership of the dealership in 2004. In order to serve the community where he was raised and still lives, Longbine made a successful run for the City Commission and eventually became Mayor of Emporia. In 2012, he was named as a 2012 Time Magazine Quality Dealer. In the Kansas Senate, he serves as Vice-Chair of the Financial Institutions & Insurance Committee and also sits on the Commerce and Utilities Committee and Federal and State Affairs Committee.
Senator Elaine Bowers started Concordia Auto Mart with husband Charlie in 1988. Bowers has served her community in Rotary, the American Legion VFW Auxiliary and the Concordia Chamber of Commerce. Beginning in 2006, she spent three terms in the House before running and winning a Senate seat in 2012. From her perch in the Kansas Senate, Bowers continues to serve her community in Topeka.. In the Kansas Senate, she serves as Vice-Chair of the Public Health & Welfare Committee and is on the Agriculture and Financial Institutions & Insurance Committees.
Three cheers for these stellar examples of state lawmakers working hard to promote auto-friendly legislation.