In Morris County Clerk’s update #2, Morris County voters selected Jon Sawyer over incumbent Wayne Kohler in the Republican primary for the District 1 seat on the Morris County Commission Tuesday, while also casting ballots in closely watched races for governor, the U.S. Senate and the Kansas House of Representatives.
According to the latest unofficial results, all 15 Morris County precincts had reported. A total of 1,194 ballots were cast, including 852 Republican ballots, 258 Democratic ballots and 84 nonpartisan ballots.
Sawyer received 202 votes, or 53.16%, in the Republican county commission contest. Kohler received 178 votes, or 46.84%. No candidate filed for the Democratic nomination.
Morris County voters also opposed the constitutional amendment appearing on the ballot. The measure received 383 “yes” votes, or 33.28%, and 768 “no” votes, or 66.72%. Forty- three voters did not cast a vote on the amendment.
In the Republican primary for the Kansas House District 68 seat, incumbent Rep. Nate Butler received 650 votes, or 80.35%, in Morris County. Challenger Desiree Pettera received 159 votes, or 19.65%. At press time, Butler was declared the winner in the 68th district. There was no Democratic candidate in the district race.
Both major parties had contested gubernatorial primaries as candidates sought the opportunity to succeed Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who is unable to seek a third consecutive term.
Ty Masterson and running mate Jeffrey Klemp led the Republican gubernatorial field in Morris County with 294 votes, or 35.72% and won the contest statewide. Vicki Schmidt and Joe Newland followed with 200 votes, or 24.30%, while Philip Sarnecki and Joe Eakins received 193 votes, or 23.45%.
Scott Schwab and Ken Rahjes received 75 votes, or 9.11%. Stacy L. Rogers and Michael W. Smith received 25 votes; Nick Reinecker and Katy Reinecker received 21; and Charlotte O’Hara and Michele H. received 15.
In the Democratic gubernatorial primary, Cindy Holscher and K.C. Ohaebosim led the Morris County vote with 121 ballots, or 49.19% and Holscher was declared the statewide winner. Ethan Corson and Renee Duxler received 96 votes, or 39.02%, while Curt Skoog and Jennifer Bacani received 29 votes, or 11.79%.
The highly publicized U.S. Senate race also drew contested primaries in both parties. Republican incumbent Roger Marshall received 621 Morris County votes, or 76.95% and won the statewide vote, while Rod Naramore received 186 votes, or 23.05%.
Christy Davis led the Democratic Senate field in Morris County with 128 votes, or 51.61%. Adam Hamilton placed second with 51 votes, or 20.56%, followed by Noah Taylor with 27 and Patrick C. Schmidt with 16. The remaining candidates each received seven votes or fewer. Adam Hamilton, however, was declared the winner statewide with 36%+ of the vote late Tuesday.
In the Republican primary for the 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Derek Schmidt received 638 votes, or 79.45%, while Chad E. Young received 165 votes, or 20.55%. Democrat Don Coover was unopposed and received 212 votes.
Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab received 656 votes, Attorney General Kris Kobach received 667, Insurance Commissioner Daniel Hawkins received 658 and State Treasurer Steven Johnson received 676. Each was unopposed in the Morris County Republican primary.
In contested Democratic statewide races, Jennifer Day led Samuel Lane 184-47 for secretary of state. Juan C. Luengo received 216 votes for state treasurer, Dinah Sykes received 221 votes for insurance commissioner and Chris Mann received 226 votes for attorney general.
The results remain unofficial until they are canvassed.