Walbridge elected to challenge Luck in commissioner race
by Clarke Davis
More than 51% of Jefferson County’s registered voters cast ballots at the Aug. 2 Primary, 2,500 more than two years ago, and a majority voted to defeat a hotly contested abortion measure.
County voters joined the plurality of Kansans in defeating an abortion measure put before them to change the state Constitution.
The vote was 2,946 Yes (44.71%) and 3,643 No (55.29%). Statewide, 58.8% said No and 41.2% voted Yes.
Approval of the amendment would have allowed the Legislature to further regulate or outlaw abortion in the state.
The nation had its eyes on Kansas, the first state where the population was given the right to vote on the abortion issue following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that reversed Roe vs. Wade, the landmark ruling that established the nationwide constitutional right to abortion, after 50 years. State legislatures would now decide abortion bans or restrictions.
Of the total voters, 1,005 (15.07%) were non-partisan who showed up to vote on the amendment question. Republicans numbered 3,985 and Democrats, 1,678.
County Office
Republicans chose Doug Walbridge, McLouth, over Ken Newell, Oskaloosa, in the race for county commissioner in the 1st District.
Walbridge received 772 votes to Newell’s 547.
That is the only county office up for election this year. Walbridge will now face incumbent Lynn Luck, Oskaloosa, who is seeking re-election as an independent.
Following are the unofficial election results from the county’s 15 precincts as provided by the office of Jefferson County Election Officer Linda Buttron.
Republican Primary
U.S. Senate
Jerry Moran 2,910
Joan Farr 816
U.S. Representative
District 1
Tracey Mann 3,220
Governor/Lt. Governor
Derek Schmidt (Sawyer) 2,822
Arlyn Briggs (Berland) 882
Secretary of State
Scott J. Schwab 1,774
Mike Brown 1,712
Attorney General
Kris Kobach 1,980
Kellie Warren 1,164
Tony Mattivi 696
State Treasurer
Caryn Tyson 1,826
Steven Johnson 1,638
Commissioner of Insurance
Vicki Schmidt 3,191
State Representative
District 42
Lance W. Neelly 443
State Representative
District 47
Ronald Ellis 3,000
State Board of Education
District 1
Danny Zeck 3,133
Democrat Primary
U.S. Senate
Paul Buskirk 722
Mark R. Holland 396
Patrick Wiesner 119
Robert Klingenberg 83
Michael Soetaert 71
Mike Andra 36
U.S. Representative
District 1
James “Jimmy” Beard 1,273
Governor/Lt. Governor
Laura Kelly/Toland 1,471
Richard Karnowski/Franco 140
Secretary of State
Jeanna Repass 1,262
Attorney General
Chris Mann 1,341
State Treasurer
Lynn W. Rogers 1,293
Commissioner of Insurance
Kiel Corkran 1,236
State Representative
District 42
(No candidate)
State Representative
District 47
(No candidate)
State Board of Education
District 1
Jeffrey M. Howards 1,196
Township Clerks
Those elected to the office of township clerk on the Republican ticket are: Delaware Township, Terry Scarlett, 323; Fairview Township, Michelle Dillman, 274; Kaw Township, Matt Stanwix, 263; Ozawkie Township, Kevin Klenklen, 291; Rock Creek Township, James Gerety, 458; Rural Township, Lisa Rodecap Bond, 138; Sarcoxie Township, Bob Lockwood, 107, David L. Anderson, 68; Union Township, Kenneth J. Budy, 335.
Clerks elected on the Democrat ticket are: Kentucky Township, Susan Warriner, 134; and Norton Township, Casey W. Keirns, 61.
Precinct committee people
(Committeeman followed by committeewoman)
This was the general election for precinct committee men and women. No candidate filed in many of these precincts:
Republican ticket: Delaware precinct, Richard Malm, 294, Sharon S. Sweeney, 306; East Fairview, Julie K. Durand; Kentucky precinct, Meredith Richey, 242; Norton precinct, Edward C. Buttron, 174, Linda M. Buttron, 173; Oskaloosa precinct, Douglas Bond, 359; Ozawkie precinct, Loren Lutes, 267; Rock Creek precinct, Ronald B. Ellis, 480, Paula Ellis, 461.
Democrat ticket: Delaware precinct, Robert Sirridge, 89; East Fairview precinct, Rex C. Buttram, 76, Maxine A. Buttram, 78; Kaw precinct, Michael Erickson, 129, Marledeen N. Joy, 130; Kentucky precinct, Willard D. Epling, 127, Paula K. Hladky, 131.