Former Kansas Rep. Patrick Penn Joins USDA as Deputy Undersecretary

Former Kansas Republican Representative Patrick Penn resigned from his Wichita-area House seat to accept an appointment as Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture under President Donald Trump's administration. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins highlighted Penn's background as a decorated former Army Signal Officer with combat experience, his legislative focus on foster care reform, social welfare programs, and efforts to reduce regulatory burdens in Kansas. The USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees federally subsidized nutritional programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and emergency food assistance. Penn had supported legislation restricting SNAP beneficiaries from purchasing candy and soft drinks and was noted for some contentious moments during the 2025 Kansas legislative session. His appointment aligns with the Trump administration's priority of supporting farmers and rural America, as emphasized by Rollins. A special election was scheduled to fill Penn's vacant state House seat, originally set to expire in 2027.