Patrick Penn

Patrick Penn is an American politician who served as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 85th district from 2021 through 2025. Currently, Penn is the undersecretary of the Food and Nutrition Service.

Patrick Penn
Member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 85th district
In office January 11, 2021 – June 13, 2025
Preceded by	Michael Capps
Succeeded by	Steven Brunk
Personal details
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Talia Penn
Children	4
Residence(s)	Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Education	Colorado State University (BS) George Mason University (MS)
Military service
Branch/service	United States Army
Rank	Captain
Battles/wars	Iraq War War in Afghanistan

Early life and education

Penn was raised in the foster care system. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Army. During his tenure, Penn earned a Bachelor of Science in sociology/criminology from Colorado State University and a Master of Science in applied Information technology from the Volgenau School of Engineering of George Mason University.^[1]

While in the United States Army, Penn was a captain and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.^[2]

Career

Once Penn had retired from the U.S. Army,^[when?] he worked for Textron Aviation.^[1]

Kansas House of Representatives

In 2020, Penn sought election to the Kansas House of Representatives. In August, he defeated incumbent Michael Capps, and was elected in the general election in November. He assumed office on January 11, 2021. New Politics describes him as a Christian conservative.^[1]

Food and Nutrition Service

Penn resigned from the Kansas House of Representatives in June 2025 and was subsequently appointed as deputy undersecretary for the Food and Nutrition Service by president Donald Trump.^[3] United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stated that Penn's "personally invested in ensuring farmers and rural America prosper."^[4]