Several primary battles are ahead at both the state and local levels for August following the filing and withdrawal deadline which passed at noon Monday.
Just before the filing deadline, Daniel Klingensmith of Emporia filed for Lyon County Sheriff as a Republican. He will face Republican incumbent Sheriff Jeff Cope in the primary election.
KVOE has reached out to Klingensmith for comment on his candidacy.
The Lyon County Commission will also have two primary races. Four Republicans are set to face off in August for the District three seat set to be vacated by longtime commissioner Rollie Martin. The list includes Chris Bartel, Warren Schmidt, Jarom Smith and Jon Vopat with the winner to face Democrat Bill Niendstedt in the general election.
Lyon County Commission District Two Republican incumbent Doug Peck will face a primary challenge from Sid Morgan. A1 Pump and Jet Owner Ron McCoy has also filed as a Democrat.
The majority of Lyon County’s other elected positions will have only one candidate on the ballot:
*Republican Amy Aranda is running for County Attorney to replace Marc Goodman, who is retiring.
*Republican Amie Jackson has filed for County Clerk to replace Tammy Vopat, who is retiring.
*Republican Wendy Weiss has filed for re-election to Register of Deeds.
*Democrat Sharon Gaede has filed for re-election to County Treasurer.
At the state level, Kansas 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia will face challenger Will Spencer, the owner of Nature’s Paradise, who previously ran for Emporia City Commission last year. The winner is set to face Democrat Mic McGuire in the general election.
In the Kansas Senate, three individuals have filed for the 17th District set to be vacated by longtime Senator Jeff Longbine who announced his retirement earlier this year. On the Republican side, David Schneider, the owner of an insurance claims inspection business, Rising Strategies LLC, will face off with former USD 252 Southern Lyon County Superintendent Mike Argabright.
USD 253 Vice Chair Lillian Lingenfelter is the lone Democrat in the race.
For other state positions representing Lyon County:
*Incumbent Duane Droge, a Republican, has filed for re-election to the House 13th District. He will face Democrat Edgar Chrisman of Thayer in the general election.
*Incumbent Republican Eric Smith is not running for re-election. Shawnee County District Attorney special investigator Brad Barrett, a Republican, has filed for the seat.
Lyon County Clerk Tammy Vopat spoke with KVOE News shortly after the candidate filing and withdrawal deadline passed and stated this year felt a bit slow in terms of traffic through her office.
Vopat also took time to remind local voters of some important upcoming dates.
The primary election is scheduled for August 6 with the general election slated for Tuesday, November 5. For additional information be sure to visit the election page under the government drop-down tab at Lyoncounty.org.
