There were no big surprises but a few laughs when the Republican primary candidates for Sedgwick County commission spoke to members of the Pachyderm Club on Friday.
“I’m the only Republican in the race who hasn’t raised your property taxes,” District 4 candidate Richard Ranzau told the crowd, drawing chuckles from the crowd at the Petroleum Club.
His fellow District 4 Republican candidate is former commissioner Lucy Burtnett.
Ranzau, who has never been in public office before, also got some laughs when he explained his candidacy by saying he “decided to quit yelling at the TV and do something.” Read More »
WICHITA — Wink Hartman’s congressional campaign spent nearly a million dollars from April to July, and most of it was his own money, according to newly released campaign finance reports.
Meanwhile Mike Pompeo received more campaign contributions than Hartman during that time. He has about $265,000 more on hand than Hartman as the campaigns head into the final stretch before the Aug. 3 primary.
While the two Republicans have garnered the most attention through their ads in the 4th District congressional race, the most successful fundraiser during this campaign finance reporting period — and since the election cycle started — is Rep. Raj Goyle, a Democrat.
Goyle registered $281,318 in contributions during this period and has raised more than $1.2 million to date. Read More »
Hotly contested races translate into increased voter interest.
Sedgwick County is on pace to send out a record number of advance voting ballots for a primary, County Election Commissioner Bill Gale said today. His office expects to mail out 11,000 advance ballots for the Aug. 3 primary, which would surpass the record of 10,000 sent for the 2008 primary.
With competitive races for the 4th Congressional District and U.S. Senate, Gale said the interest in the primary is high.
Gale’s office began mailing advance ballots Wednesday and will continue to do so through July 30. The last day the election office will mail advance voting applications is July 28.
Those wanting an application for an advance voting have several options:
–Pick one up at most Dillons or QuikTrips.
–Request one by calling 316-660-7100 or pick one up at the election office at 510 N. Main, suite 101, in Wichita.
– Get one online here and print it out.
Applications may be returned by mail (County Election Office, 510 N. Main, Wichita 67203) or by fax (316-660-7125).
The Republican primary race for the 1st Congressional District in Kansas is in a three-way tie as candidates vie to fill the open seat.
In a poll done earlier this week for KWCH-TV by SurveyUSA, State Sen. Jim Barnett of Emporia and Realtor Tracey Mann of Salina each drew 25 percent support while State Sen. Tim Huelskamp of Fowler had 22 percent. Twelve percent were undecided. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.4 percent.
Three weeks ago Barnett had 23 percent, Mann 20 percent and Huelskamp 18 percent.
Other results from this week’s poll showed Rob Wasinger of Cottonwood Falls and former chief of staff to U.S. Senator Sam Brownback receiving 10 percent, college teacher Sue Boldra of Hays at 5 percent and attorney Marck Cobb of Galva at 2 percent.
The GOP winner in the Aug. 3 primary will face Democrat Alan Jilka, former mayor of Salina, and Libertarian Jack Warner in November. Incumbent Jerry Moran, R-Hays, is running for the U.S. Senate.