By Lucky Kidd
ALLEN COUNTY, Kan. — Allen County voters Tuesday turned down a proposed half percent sales tax that would have funded EMS services. Unofficial returns from the Allen County Clerk’s Office indicated 52 percent voted against the tax, 48 percent in favor.
John Brocker was elected to the Allen County Commission in the 2nd district, defeating Iola City Council member Jon Wells 56-43 percent. In Moran, Warren Johnson defeated Kris Smith for City Council, and a special question in LaHarpe was defeated 70 to 30 percent.
In Anderson County, Jody Cole won another term in the Garnett City Commission with 62 percent of the vote to 31 percent for Justin Thompson, with Michael Blaufuss getting 76 percent to 23 percent for Phyllis Gettler for 3rd District County Commissioner. Wesley McClain took 94 percent of the vote for Anderson County Sheriff, where Rob Smith waged a write-in campaign.
Tiana McElroy, who was appointed Neosho County Attorney in September following the resignation of Linus Thuston won a full term in that office Tuesday, getting 64 percent of the vote to 36 percent for Sheryl Bussell. Incumbent Neosho County Sheriff Greg Taylor was re-elected, getting 82 percent of the vote to 18 percent for Paul Ornelas.
Republican State Senators Caryn Tyson of Parker and Virgil Peck of Havana had no problems in winning reelection to the Kansas Senate. With some precincts still not in last night Tyson had 81 percent over Libertarian Cullene Lang in the 12th District while Peck, with seven precincts not reporting, had 71 percent of the vote over Democrat Jerry Reeves.
The two Republican Kansas House members who represent Neosho County were also winners, Ken Collins getting 69 percent of the vote over Lissa Rhodes in the 2nd District and Dan Goddard getting 73 percent over Vickie Pribble.
Representative Duane Droge of Eureka, whose district includes Woodson County, took 80 percent of the vote in 13th district over Edgar Chrisman.
Former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is heading to Congress. Schmidt, who lost the 2022 Governor’s race to Laura Kelly, won the 2nd District seat being vacated by Jake LaTurner who did not seek re-election. Schmidt held a 57-38 percent advantage over former Representative Nancy Boyda. She carried the part of the district in Democratic stronghold Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. Schmidt won the rest of the counties in the district including a narrow win in Shawnee County including Topeka.
Schmidt had this statement last night after he was declared the winner.
“As I said in announcing my candidacy, what is best for our district and for America will always be my steady guidepost. I will start immediately to prepare so that on day one – January 3, 2025 – we can get straight to work securing our border, reducing the high cost of living, reducing the regulatory burden, and addressing the many other priorities Kansans have told me are important for our great country. Thank you for this opportunity to serve, and God bless America!”