J.R. Claeys

Jeremy Ryan Claeys was born on February 13, 1978, in Salina, Kansas. He is a member of the Republican Party. Claeys is married to Catalin, and they have one child. His brother is Joe Claeys.

Professionally, Claeys has served as the president and CEO of the National Association of Government Contractors and as the communications director of the National Small Business Association. He also worked as the vice president of Axiom Strategies. In 2025, he assumed the role of Administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service within the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint against Claeys regarding fraudulent activity involving the sale of a "Certified Tested Green" label. According to the complaint, certifications were sold for between $189.95 and $549.95 without any actual testing of the products. The complaint alleged false claims that the certification was endorsed by the National Green Business Association and the National Association of Government Contractors, both of which were owned and operated by Claeys. Additionally, while Claeys claimed over 45,000 certifications had been issued, the FTC found only 129 companies had been certified. The FTC approved the complaint unanimously, resulting in 20-year sanctions on Claeys and his company.

Education

Claeys graduated from Kansas State University in 2001, where he studied media. He later earned a Master of Public Administration from George Washington University in 2004, focusing on public administration.

Political Experience

Claeys began his electoral political career in 2010, unsuccessfully seeking the Republican nomination for Secretary of State of Kansas. He finished third in the primary behind Kris Kobach and Libby Ensley. In 2018, he served as the campaign manager for Kris Kobach's gubernatorial campaign and Wink Hartman's lieutenant governor campaign.

*Kansas House of Representatives *
Claeys served as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives representing the 69th District from January 14, 2013, to January 11, 2021. During his tenure, he focused on issues relating to unmanned aerial systems and aviation, including legislation to protect the Kansas drone economy and create aviation tax credits. He served as Chair of the Transportation and Public Safety Budget Committee and the State Building Construction Committee. He also served on the Appropriations Committee and the Commerce, Labor and Economic Development Committee. In 2013, he commented on the federal government shutdown, criticizing the strategy of House Republicans. In 2017, he made public statements regarding funding for public radio.

*Kansas Senate *
In 2020, Claeys ran for the Kansas Senate in the 24th District, defeating incumbent Randall Hardy in the Republican primary. He won the general election unopposed. He was re-elected in 2024, defeating Democrat John Baker. He served from January 11, 2021, until June 2, 2025. His committee assignments included the Legislative Budget Committee, the Utilities Committee, and the Assessment and Taxation Committee. He served as Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee and Chair of the Joint Committee on State Building Construction. Claeys resigned from the Kansas Senate on June 2, 2025, to accept his position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He was succeeded by Scott Hill.