Preceded by Karin Brownlee Occupation Teacher, Politician Party Republican Party Spouse(s) Arnold Gordon Education University of Kansas | Political party Republican Role Kansas politician Succeeded by Shanti Gandhi Name Lana Gordon | |
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Born August 20, 1950 (age 73)
Kansas City, Missouri ( 1950-08-20 ) Alma mater University of Kansas (B.S.) | ||
Lana Gordon (born August 20, 1950) is an American politician who has served as the Kansas Secretary of Labor under the administration of Governor Sam Brownback since 2012. A member of the Republican Party, Gordon served as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives, representing the 52nd district from 2001 to 2012.
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Early life and career
Lana Gordon was born to parents Myron and Hariette Goodman in Kansas City, Missouri. Growing up, Gordon worked for her family's local hardware store in Kansas City before graduating from Shawnee Mission East High School in 1968. She graduated from the University of Kansas with her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1971.
From 1971 to 1972 Gordon worked as a substitute teacher before working as a full-time teacher at Lee's Summit Elementary School in Missouri from 1972 to 1973. She then worked as a test administrator for the Kansas Department of Education from 1978 to 1980. Gordon was the secretary of the Topeka Unified School District 501 Citizens Advisory Council from 1982 to 1985, where she later served as a board member of the Topeka Unified School District from 1994 to 1997. From 1997 to 2001 she worked as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Topeka-based Cardinal/Building Service Solutions before being elected to the Kansas House. She worked as an Account Representative for BG Service Solutions/ISS from 2005 to 2012. Gordon was also a small business owner, previously owning four gift shops in the Topeka area.
Gordon is a member of Kansas, Incorporated, the Topeka Chamber of Commerce, and United Way Volunteer Center of Topeka.
Kansas House of Representatives
Gordon was first elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2000 and was sworn in on January 8, 2001. She was elected to a six terms to the Kansas House, winning with more than 60% of the vote in every election.
Committee membership
Major donors
The top 5 donors to Gordon's 2008 campaign were mainly professional organizations: