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Wichita lawmaker Patrick Penn is leaving behind his role in Topeka as he steps into a key position within the Trump administration.
Starting June 13, Penn will officially resign from the Kansas House and assume his new role as Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In this capacity, Penn will help oversee SNAP and 15 other federal nutrition assistance programs, including school meal services.
Penn’s Mission in Washington: Tackling Fraud and Oversight
At a meeting on Wednesday, Penn expressed a hardline approach to managing these benefits, stating his commitment to eliminating misuse within the system. He specifically cited the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as a target for reform, vowing to crack down on fraud.
“We’re going to break a few eggs, make a few omelettes. Make a couple people cry,” Penn remarked, hinting at the shake-up he intends to bring to federal programs.
He alleged, without providing evidence, that billions of taxpayer dollars are being misused, citing recipients who are non-citizens or allegedly affiliated with terrorism. He also claimed that able-bodied individuals are exploiting the system for unearned benefits.
SNAP Program in Focus: The Numbers Behind the Claims
According to a 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the SNAP program faced a payment error rate of 11.7% in 2023. That equates to roughly $10.5 billion in incorrect payments out of the $112.8 billion total spent.
Policy Stance: Restricting Purchases and Preventing Health Risks
Penn has made it clear he supports tighter regulations on SNAP purchases, particularly banning sugary foods and drinks. This spring, he voted for a Kansas bill that would have sought USDA approval to restrict SNAP purchases of candy and soda. Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the bill, and the Kansas House did not override it.
Penn argued that allowing such purchases contributes to rising childhood diabetes rates, which in turn increases Medicaid costs for taxpayers.
“I don’t want your tax dollars paying for sugary foods that cause diabetes, then paying again for their treatment,” Penn said.
Succession in the Kansas House: Steve Brunk Returns
With Penn’s departure, a special election was held Wednesday night to fill the vacancy in House District 85, which includes northeast Wichita, Kechi, Bel Aire, and part of Butler County.
Steve Brunk, a former Kansas legislator and conservative activist, narrowly defeated Talia Penn—Patrick Penn’s wife—by a 10-9 vote from local Republican precinct committee members.
Who Is Steve Brunk?
- Former Kansas House Representative (2003–2016)
- Former Executive Director, Family Policy Alliance of Kansas
- Currently runs a real estate firm
- Member of the City Elders of Kansas, a national Christian network
- Endorsed by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach
Brunk emphasized he has “unfinished business” and aims to focus on school choice legislation, likely advocating for vouchers to redirect state education funds. He also supports an upcoming constitutional amendment to switch the Kansas Supreme Court selection process from merit-based to direct election.
A Look Back at Patrick Penn’s Background
Raised in foster care, Penn later joined the U.S. Army, serving tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before retiring as a captain in 2017. He entered politics in 2020, defeating Michael Capps in the Republican primary amid controversy involving a smear campaign against former mayoral candidate Brandon Whipple.
On his final evening as a Kansas representative, Penn celebrated with supporters, wearing a red blazer, shaking hands, but declined to answer media questions about his federal appointment.
Patrick Penn’s transition from state legislator to federal appointee marks a significant step in his political career. With his new role at the USDA, he aims to reshape the management of nutrition programs, targeting fraud and pushing for tighter controls on benefit usage.
As Steve Brunk steps in to finish Penn’s term, Kansas politics may continue to see conservative policy shifts in areas such as education reform and judiciary selection.