APNewsBreak: Kobach sought pardon for VP of corporate donor

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach unsuccessfully sought a governor's pardon for an executive of a company that donated to Kobach and was among the sponsors of a fundraiser for him.

Gov. Jeff Colyer denied the pardon request this week. Spokesman Kendall Marr said it was because the 2009 crime involved a firearm.

A police affidavit said the man threatened a cab driver with a gun to his head. The AP obtained documents in the case through an open records request.

Kobach is seeking to unseat Colyer in the Aug. 7 Republican primary.

The executive, Ryan Bader, had pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and a judge expunged his record in 2014.

Bader is vice president for firearms importer TriStar Arms. It has donated at least $7,000 to Kobach over the past five years.

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