House Assistant Majority Leader Les Mason died Monday in Wichita at age 69 after suffering a brain aneurysm Friday.

Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday issued an executive order to lower flags to half-staff at all state buildings, grounds and facilities until sundown on the day of interment.

“Assistant Majority Leader Mason was a devoted public servant,” Kelly said in a news release. “For the last decade, he represented his constituents and the McPherson community with honor. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Lawmakers and friends said they would remember Mason for his humor, helping nature and desire to represent his constituents.

Mason, a McPherson Republican representing the 73rd District, had served in the House since 2014.

When Rep. Pat Proctor, R-Fort Leavenworth, entered the Legislature in 2021, Mason was already assistant majority leader, a position he held since 2019.

Proctor said Mason “poured his heart” into the freshman caucus program, ensuring lawmakers had the information they needed to be effective.

“You just think about all the freshmen who come through the Legislature every year and all the time that he invested in those people to make sure that we had those tools,” he said. “That’s what really sticks out to me.”

Reps. Kyle McNorton, R-Topeka, and Angela Stiens, R-Shawnee, were the two rookie Republicans in the House this past session.

“Les Mason has been very helpful in helping me weed through the procedures, introducing me to people and being somewhat of a mentor,” McNorton told State Affairs in February.

Stiens, who joined the Legislature in March, said Tuesday that Mason was great at helping people adapt by explaining things “from a common sense sort of way.”

“Honestly, I’m heartsick over the whole thing,” she said. “It’s just very, very sad.”

Stiens said she would hold on to his advice about cutting through the noise.

“He told me to always remember who I represent,” she said. “I am there to represent my constituents, first and foremost.”

Cheryl Stieben, chair of the McPherson County Republican Party, said Mason was a man of “great integrity” who loved the Lord and his family.

“He was just wonderful in his work, and he was humorous, always smiling,” she said. “As I would introduce all the politicians as we would have our large meeting once a year, I’d say, ‘He’s one of my favorites.’ And I shouldn’t say that, but he was. He was great.”

Mason was preceded in death by his first wife, Kala, in 2020. He later married Victoria, who survives him as do his three children.

Proctor spoke about Les and Victoria’s closeness, saying, “You never saw one of them without the other.”

“It really kind of inspired me to be a better husband,” he said. “It’s tough when you’re a legislator. You’re away from your family a lot, and the fact that he was still able to invest so much time in that wonderful relationship, that’s really going to stick with me, too.”

In a statement, House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, called Mason a “dear friend.”

“Rep. Mason touched many lives during his service in the legislature, but maybe none more than the many freshman legislators that he mentored over the years,” he said. “His legacy will truly continue to live on through them and their service as well for years to come.”

Lawmakers and government officials also reacted to Mason’s death on social media.

“Les Mason was a businessman, volunteer, leader and friend,” U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said. 

“Through his entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to serve others, Les created job opportunities and contributed to the success of McPherson. He was loved by many and will be missed.”

Rep. Ken Collins, R-Mulberry, added, “I lost a good friend today and the State of Kansas lost a great servant and a great leader. … I will miss seeing him in the hallway between his office and mine.”

Secretary of State Scott Schwab said, “I am grieving over the sudden loss of Rep. Les Mason. He was the truest of friends and a man who served his state diligently. May the Lord comfort his wife and kids during this difficult time.”

Former Attorney General Derek Schmidt said he was saddened by the “passing of my friend.”

The McPherson County Republican Party plans to have a precinct meeting June 17 to elect an interim representative in the hopes of the person participating in the special session that starts June 18.

Mason previously filed for reelection, but Senate Vice President Rick Wilborn, R-McPherson, signed up to run in House District 73 before Monday’s deadline after the news of Mason’s brain aneurysm.

Bryan Richardson is the managing editor at State Affairs Pro Kansas/Hawver’s Capitol Report. Reach him at [email protected] or on X @RichInNews.

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