OTTAWA — Although Franklin County Republicans gave a solid majority to former Ottawa school board member John Coen of Wellsville, conservative representative Caryn Tyson, Parker, won the Republican nomination for the 12th Senate District. Tyson received 5,865 votes or 56 percent. Coen received 4,633 votes or 44 percent. The results mirrored what appeared to be a conservative sweep in the Republican primaries.
Gov. Sam Brownback and his conservative allies targeted several moderate Republican senators in attempt to take over the Statehouse, and according to unofficial results from last night, he and his allies largely succeeded in knocking out most of them. Most GOP voters in Franklin County also gave Ottawa attorney and former city commissioner Blaine Finch the nomination for the 59th House District over conservative representative Teri-Lois Gregory, who moved to Ottawa from Baldwin City after her district was split by redistricting. In a rare Democratic primary, Caleb Correll will Finch in the general after Democratic voters picked Correll over Stan Wiles. In other results, two county imcumbents were upset in their Republican primaries. Political newcomer Janet Paddock upended County Clerk Shari Perry. Former county commissioner Roy Dunn defeated 2nd District Commissioner David Hood, who defeated Dunn four years ago. In both races, no Democrat filed so the winners get a free pass into office. Third District Commission Ed Taylor defeated challenger Butch Riddle. Taylor faces Williamsburg Democrat, Rick Howard in November. Franklin County Sheriff Jeff Curry was elected in his own right.
Curry, who was appointed sheriff when Craig Davis retired, defeated Rick Geist and Rick Croucher in a three-way race for the Republican nomination. There was no Democrat. In Miami County, a county commissioner who was the target of protests over the commission’s vote to reject a state grant for contraceptives offered through the county health department survived a four-way Republican primary challenge. George Pretz now faces Democrat Will Cuthburth in the general election in November. In other results, Osawatomie voters overwhelming approved Sunday sales of alcohol. Sen. Pat Apple of Louisburg handily won the GOP nomination in his new Senate District 37, which includes northern Miami County and southern Johnson County. No Democrat filed. Sheriff Frank Kelly easily defeated a GOP challenger. Garnett voters narrowly approved sunday sales for alcohol yesterday. There were two Republican primaries for the Anderson County Commission. In the 2nd District, former commissioner Bill Craig won a three-way race over Scott Rogers and Ken Miller. He’ll face Democrat Jerry Howart. In the 3rd District, retired doctor David Leitch won the GOP nomination over farmer and trucker Pat Callahan. He’ll face incumbent Commissioner Gene Highberger, Westphalia Democrat. In Osage County primaries, Gaylord Anderson of Carbondale won a three-way Republican primary in the 2nd District of the Osage County Commission. In legislative races, newcomer Casey Moore easily won the GOP nomination in the Senate District 19. He’ll take on long-time Senator Anthony Hensley, who is also Senate Democratic Leader. Although Osage County voters cast a solid majority of votes for representative Willie Prescott of Osage City, he came in a distant third in a race involving three Republican legislators for the 76th House District. Conservative representative Peggy Mast of Emporia won the GOP primary over Prescott and maverick legislator Bill Otto. Because of redistricting, all three ended up in the same House district.
Wednesday, Aug. 8, 4 p.m.
