Merrick served in Kansas Senate District 37 from 2011 to 2013. Shortly after the 2010 general election, when District 37 Sen. Jeff Colyer was elected lieutenant governor, Merrick was elected by Republican precinct committee members to fill the remainder of Colyer's term. After redistricting for the 2012 elections, Merrick filed for House District 27, with the expressed intent of being elected House speaker. Merrick previously served in the Kansas House from January 6, 2000 to January 2011. Merrick served as House majority leader from 2007–2010, as speaker pro tempore from 2004–2006, and as assistant majority leader from 2002–2004.
Background
After college, Merrick was in the United States Marine Corps for several years and then began a career in sales for Folger's Coffee. He founded and owns MJM Management Company, a property management company for shopping centers in the growing southern suburban Kansas City region. Johnson County, Kansas. He previously served as senior vice president/general manager for both the Myron Green Cafeterias Company and Treat America. He is married to Phyllis Merrick, lives in Stilwell and holds a business administration degree from Washburn University of Topeka.
Issue positions
Merrick has been described by the state's largest newspaper, the Wichita Eagle, as being from the "conservative faction of the Republican Party." Merrick's website lists some of his major goals as "tougher restrictions on sexual predators," "protecting Blue Valley and Olathe school districts," and "advocating responsible government and protecting our tax dollars." As Kansas House Speaker in 2013, he focused House attention on tax and budget matters, cutting both, to the exclusion of most other issues.
Controversy
In a November 2014 interview with the state's largest newspaper, The Wichita Eagle, Merrick stated 'Government workers produce nothing,' following it up with further comments to underscore their burden upon society. The remarks stimulated an intense backlash, particularly from government workers representatives and the Kansas Democratic Party. Merrick subsequently mollified the remark with positive comments about public service employees.
Committee assignments
2009–2010
In the 2009–2010 legislative session, Merrick served on these House committees:
Calendar and Printing, chair
Interstate Cooperation, vice-chair
Legislative Budget, vice-chair
2011–2012
In the 2011–2012 legislative session, Merrick served on these Senate committees:
Commerce
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Utilities
2013–2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Merrick served on these House committees:
Interstate Cooperation, chair
Calendar and Printing, vice-chair
Legislative Budget
2015
Speaker Merrick currently serves on the following House committees:
Merrick won re-election to the 27th District seat in the November 2, 2010 general election, with no opposition. He was also unopposed in the GOP primary.
2012
After redistricting for the 2012 elections, Merrick filed for the House 27 seat held Charlotte O'Hara, R-Overland Park. Merrick ran unopposed in the August 7 Republican primary and ran unopposed in the general election, on November 6, 2012. He was elected speaker of the House in a three-way race on Dec. 2, 2012. O'Hara filed for the Kansas Senate District 37 seat being vacated in 2012 by Merrick. She placed second in a three-way Republican primary. Republican District 37 nominee Pat Apple, the District 12 incumbent, was unopposed in the November 6, 2012 general election.
Memberships
American Legislative Exchange Council, serving as both the Kansas co-chair and on the national board.
