OTTAWA — The chair of the Franklin County Republican Party is challenging the incumbent legislator from Ottawa, who is also a Republican. Bob Fluke, Ottawa, filed a GOP challenge to first-time representative Blaine Finch for the 59th House District, which covers much of Franklin County and part of Osage County. Finch is one of the few Republican moderates in the legislature and he has occasionally annoyed the Republican conservatives who dominate the Statehouse. The primary winner will face Scott Barnhart, who is the sole Democrat to file for the 59th. That is part of a full slate of legislative races throughout the area. In the 5th House District, Republican incumbent Kevin Jones, Wellsville, is being challenged by Garnett Democrat Miranda Rickel. The 5th covers eastern Franklin County, northeastern Anderson County and northwestern Miami County. In the 6th House District, Republican incumbent Jene Vickrey, Louisburg, is being challenged by Osawatomie Democrat Christy Levings. The 6th covers most of Miami County. In the 10th House District in southern Douglas County, Cemocratic incumbent John Wilson, Baldwin City, is being challenged by Republican Nicholas Van Whye, Lawrence. In the 4th House District, Republican incumbent Marty Read of Mound City is being challenged by Fort Scott Democrat Lucas Cosen. The 4th covers much of Anderson County, Linn County and northern Bourbon County. In the 43rd District covering southwestern Johnson County, including Gardner and Edgerton, Republican incumbent Bill Sutton is being challenged by Democrat Caitlin Trujillo. They’re both from Gardner. In the 26th District covering southern johnson County and northern Miami County, Republican incumbent Larry Campbell of Olathe is being challenged by Olathe Democrat Cheron Tiffany. For the unexpired term of former state senator Pat Apple, who was appointed to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Molly Baumgardner of Louisburg and Charlotte O’Hara of Overland Park are vying for the Republican nomination for the 37th Senate District, covering much of Miami and southern Johnson counties. When Apple resigned, both women sought to be appointed but Baumgardner was picked by county Republican officials and finished the last two days of the legislative session. No Democrats filed.
Wednesday, June 4, 3 p.m.
