TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Gov. Sam Brownback has nominated interim labor secretary Lana Gordon to become the permanent head of the Kansas Department of Labor.

Brownback announced the nomination Friday. The appointment requires confirmation by the state Senate.

Gordon, a Republican, became interim secretary in September, when Brownback abruptly removed Karin Brownlee from the post without comment. The Republican governor says Gordon has done a "great job" while focusing on finding fraud and abuse within the unemployment system and improving the process of filing for jobless benefits.

Gordon, of Topeka, served 12 years in the Kansas House but decided last year against running for a seventh term.