TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democrats in the Kansas House have elevated a Kansas City lawmaker who had been their assistant minority leader to their top leadership position.

Rep. Tom Burroughs won the minority leader’s job Monday in a 17-11 vote over Rep. Jim Ward of Wichita.

Democratic House members and members-elect had to pick a new minority leader for 2015 and 2016 because Minority Leader Paul Davis gave up his House seat to run unsuccessfully for governor.

Veteran Rep. Tom Sawyer of Wichita said the outcome was a vote for the status quo because Burroughs was a part of Davis’ team.

Sawyer also said Democrats believed Burroughs worked hard this year at fundraising and recruiting candidates.

Some lawmakers and legislative aides saw Ward as likely to be more confrontational with Republicans than Davis was.