Governor of Kansas plans to head trucking group after leaving public office

Wednesday, October 31st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ Ending speculation that he might step down early, Gov. Bill Graves said Tuesday that he plans to head a national trucking industry group after his term ends in 2003.

He said he never intended to leave before the conclusion of his second four-year term. Some had suggested he might resign, allowing Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer, a fellow Republican, to move into the governor's office and get a head start on his own gubernatorial campaign.

Graves, 48, told reporters he won't sign a contract for his new position as chief executive officer of the American Trucking Associations TA until after he leaves office.

His father built a trucking company into the largest in Kansas. After the family sold the business in 1979, Graves went to work in the secretary of state's office, and then won election as secretary of state in 1986. He served two terms before being elected governor in 1994.