By Lydia Gensheimer, CQ Staff

Election: Defeated Rep. Nancy Boyda , D

Residence: Topeka

Born: June 10, 1963; Topeka, Kan.

Religion: United Methodist

Family: Separated; two children

Education: Kansas State U., A.A. 1985 (business administration); Weber State College, B.S. 1985 (accounting)

Career: Accountant; homemaker

Political highlights: Kan. House, 1999-2001; Kan. Senate, 2001-03; Kan. treasurer, 2003-present

A former certified public accountant and current state treasurer, Jenkins says she will push in Washington for the issues that first drove her into politics: cutting taxes and curbing government spending.

She has pledged that she will not vote for any tax increases and says she wants President Bush’s 2001 and 2003 tax cuts made permanent.

She wants to abolish the federal estate tax, which she believes places burdens on Kansans who pass family farms from one generation to another.

Jenkins, who grew up on a dairy farm north of Topeka, thinks that farms operate best without any government interference.

A fierce critic of excessive government spending, Jenkins says she will not request any earmark funding that does not serve a federal interest and will support legislation aiming to end the connection between campaign contributions and earmarks.