Thursday, February 25, 2010

County's Democratic senator making a run for governor

by Davis Publications staff

Jefferson County’s Democrat state senator, Tom Holland, Baldwin, announced his candidacy for governor Feb. 17.

Holland, owner of Holland Technologies Inc., represented the 10th House District from 2003-2009. In 2009, he defeated Republican incument Roger Pine to gain the 3rd District Senate seat that consists of rural Douglas and Leavenworth counties and all of Jefferson county.

In making his announcement he said, “Kansas needs a problem solver with a business mindset for its next governor. I have a proven track record in running a successful business, making a payroll for over 15 years, creating jobs and bringing people together to find solutions.”

He said he decided to run to prevent U.S. Senator Sam Brownback from “putting his failed Washington politics and divisive agenda to work in our state.”

“Kansans are facing problems of historic proportions,” Holland said. “Our economy is the worst it has been in over two generations. I understand the problems facing our state, and I am the only candidate who will put politics aside and bring people together to find solutions.”

In the coming months, Holland plans to share his problem-solving platform during visits to Kansas communities across the state. He has named Martha Harris, professor of business and economics at Baker University, as the official treasurer of his campaign committee.

Holland grew up in Indianapolis. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University and a master’s in business administration from the University of Minnesota.

He founded Holland Technologies, an information technology consulting and professional services firm, in 1992 and serves as the company’s president. The firm provides IT project management, software development, and network engineering services for its customers.

He and his wife, Barbara, have four children, Thomas, a graduate of the University of Kansas, Derek, a Baker University graduate, Brandon, a junior at KU, and Louisa, an eighth grader.