Gov. Brownback speaks about ambassadorship nomination

At noon on Thursday, Gov. Sam Brownback wasn’t at the Kansas Capitol but instead at a church receiving communion. It’s something he said at a news conference people would be persecuted for in other parts of the world.

“It’s getting worse around the world, not better. It’s getting less free rather than more free, more persecution not less,” Brownback said.

On Wednesday, it was announced Brownback was to be nominated to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom.

Brownback spoke for the first time since he tweeted Wednesday night that “Religious freedom is the first freedom." 

Religious Freedom is the first freedom. The choice of what you do with your own soul. I am honored to serve such an important cause. -SDB

— Sam Brownback (@govsambrownback) July 27, 2017

“I love all religions, I’m in love with my own, that concept being religion is a search for God, it’s where most people live their inner lives in faith,” Brownback said.

Besides touting his accomplishments thus far as governor, he honed in on his work as a U.S. senator and faith.

“What I have to offer is knowing people in the administration and hopefully being able to get different aspects of the government moving forward to address the topic of religious liberty and religious freedom,” Brownback said.

In 1998, Brownback was a big supporter of the bill that created the office he's now up for. Back then, his work took him to places like Darfur, the Congo, and central Asia.

“I remember vividly meeting with people that were forced into refugee camps by a government that was persecuting a group of people,” Brownback said.

While he has accepted the nomination, the Senate has to confirm him. If all goes well, Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, a surgeon who speared KanCare, would take over until the next election.

Brownback is confident the transition process would be smooth.

There are no concrete plans yet for the Senate confirmation hearings.

Watch the full news conference below.