Jim Slattery was born on August 4, 1948 and grew up in Good Intent, a farming community in Atchison County. Growing up on the farm his family settled in the 1880’s, Jim learned the importance of faith, family, personal responsibility, and neighbors helping neighbors in times of need.
Jim’s parents, Charles and Rose O’Connell Slattery, made enormous financial sacrifices to send him to Maur Hill High School in Atchison, Kansas where he was taught by Benedictine monks.
Jim’s father, who had only a 10th grade education, always told him, “get all the education you can get- it’s something nobody can ever take away from you.â€
Jim attended college at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. While at Washburn, Jim was selected to attend the Netherlands School of International Business and Economics in Holland for a year.
Jim went on to graduate from Washburn University Law School. While attending college and law school, Jim worked full-time to pay for his education. He worked on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, various construction jobs, and selling real estate.
Jim served as a member of the 69th Infantry Brigade of the Kansas Army National Guard, rising from the rank of private to second lieutenant.
At the age of 24, Jim was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives from the 53rd district in Topeka. He served six years and was elected Speaker Pro Tem in 1976 when the Democrats took the majority for the first time in 63 years.
Jim retired from the legislature in 1978 to devote his full time to a real estate business he co-founded in Topeka.
In 1982, Jim was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. As a congressman for 12 years, Jim focused on the needs of his constituents in the 2nd district.
Jim made working families and economic growth a priority; he led efforts cut wasteful government spending; was a strong advocate for the environment, and promoted education initiatives. Jim also founded the Rural Health Care Coalition and fought to provide health care for low and middle income Kansans.
After serving in Congress, Jim went to work for the law firm of Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, DC. Jim is a member of the Kansas, Washington, DC, and American Bar Associations.
Jim and his wife Linda have been married for 34 years and live in Topeka. They have two grown sons. Jason lives in Virginia and works as a financial planner for AIG Retirement. Mike lives with his wife Jenny in Mission, Kansas where he works as a project manager for JE Dunn Construction in Kansas City. Jenny is employed by Perspective Software in Overland Park.
Jim and Linda are members of the Catholic Church and attend Christ the King Parish in Topeka. Together, Jim and Linda co-founded the National Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values, which Linda has directed for the last 10 years.
Jim is a member of the Board of Governors of Washburn University Law School and serves on the Washburn University Endowment Association, Board of Trustees.
Jim is proud of his Kansas heritage and he believes the people of Kansas deserve a strong, independent voice that is committed to fiscal responsibility, a strong national defense, affordable and accessible health care, and sensible energy policy.