Bonnie Johnson
June 03, 2025
Media ArticleJR Claeys, a Kansas legislator and long-time advocate for rural growth, has accepted an appointment with the USDA to lead the Rural Business Service. His appointment, effective June 2, was confirmed by President Donald Trump and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
Claeys, who represented Saline and Dickinson counties in both the Kansas House District 69 and Senate District 24, made the announcement through a personal note shared on X. In it, he reflected on the honor of serving his hometown of Salina and thanked his constituents.
“During my tenure, the areas I represent have seen growth typically reserved to the major metropolitan areas of our state,” Claeys noted.
His work in the legislature included major improvements and investments in Salina—such as Kansas Highway Patrol support, infrastructure upgrades at the I-70/I-135 interchange, housing development grants linked to manufacturing growth, and revitalizing downtown with state STAR Bonds.
He also supported expanding the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, promoted education at K-State Salina, and worked to improve medical care access for rural Kansans. Claeys called this a “record of success” and credited community partnerships for the progress.
“This is a record of success that all of us can be immensely proud of, including all of those who helped make this turnaround possible. But the best is yet to come,” he said.
As he steps into his national role, Claeys emphasized his continued commitment to rural Americans.
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