Election 2010: Primary races set

TOPEKA — Thursday's filing deadline for the Aug. 3 primary election featured several crowded fields, a last-minute switch and a Democratic Party leader aiming for a vacant seat.

When Kansas Secretary of State Chris Biggs, a Democrat, swung the gavel at noon to signify the filing deadline, 346 candidates had entered state races, from governor and congressional seats to the Legislature.

In Sedgwick County, races for county commissioner also drew a crowded field, with 11 candidates for three seats.

"I am encouraged to see so many Kansans make the decision to run for elected office this year," said Biggs, who was appointed to his position earlier this year and faces a primary challenge.

One notable exception: Eight district court judges in Sedgwick County face no opposition for re-election.

Sizing up the roster of candidates, Joe Aistrup, political science professor at Kansas State University, said Republicans fielded a strong slate.

As for Democrats, a national tide may be running against them this year, he said. In Kansas, their candidates for top spots like U.S. Senate and governor are untested.

"The Democrats are a lot like a ship without a couple of mainsails," Aistrup said.

Sedgwick County

Former and current City Council members, former and current county commissioners, a school board member and a state senator are among those vying for three seats on the Sedgwick County Commission.

The four-way race for the District 4 seat in north Wichita to be vacated by Kelly Parks includes former City Council member Sharon Fearey and state Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau on the Democratic side.

"I guess nothing in politics really surprises me," Fearey said.

The two have worked together on issues in the past.

"We have actually attended some events where we sat at the table together. I think it will be a civil race," Faust-Goudeau said.

Fearey likes her chances because of her strong name recognition.

"I think people know I'm a hard worker. As hard as I worked for my City Council district, I will work that hard for the County Commission district," she said.

Faust-Goudeau also is optimistic.

"Whether the Legislature is in or out of session, I come home and work within the community handling issues. I never stop.

"I think I'm going to bring a fresh perspective to the county. I understand the business side of it, I know the needs from the working families, and we've got to balance that."

On the Republican side, Lucy Burtnett, who held the seat for two years before losing it to Parks in 2006, will face Richard Ranzau, a physician assistant at Advanced Orthopaedic Associates and former Reform Party candidate for governor.

Burtnett said she didn't know much about Ranzau. She is just urging her supporters to get to the polls for the primaries because she didn't focus on them last time, she said.

"I'm feeling much more confident. I learned a lot," Burtnett said.

Ranzau, who has not held elected office, said Burtnett might have some advantages as a former commissioner, but the mood of the country is like his: anti-big government and anti-taxes.

"I probably have somewhat of an uphill battle, but it's doable, certainly," he said.

Incumbent Gwen Welshimer is unopposed in the Democratic primary for the District 5 seat in southeast Sedgwick County. Three Republicans with longtime city positions will vie for the chance to face her in November: Jim Skelton, a Wichita City Council member since 2005; Derby Mayor Dion Avello; and Derby City Council member Chuck Warren.

Incumbent Dave Unruh will run unopposed in the Republican primary for the District 1 seat, in east Sedgwick County. Wichita school board member Betty Arnold and community advocate Juanita Blackmon, founder of the Millennium Moms Empowerment Network, will face off in the Democratic primary.

Federal races

U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback's run for governor — and departure from the seat he's held for 14 years — has triggered a domino effect.

Republican U.S. Reps. Todd Tiahrt of Goddard and Jerry Moran of Hays both are leaving their seats to run for Brownback's seat in the Senate. In the primary, they will also face Tom Little and Robert Londerholm.

On the Democratic side there are five contenders for a spot on the November ballot: Robert Conroy, state Sen. David Haley, Lisa Johnston, Charles Schollenberger and Patrick Wiesner.

Further down the ballot, Tiahrt and Moran's Senate bid and Democratic Congressman Dennis Moore's decision to vacate his 3rd Congressional District seat have thrown the doors wide open for primary competitions.

Throughout the state, 30 candidates are competing for Kansas' four congressional seats. Only one — Republican Lynn Jenkins of Topeka — is an incumbent.

In the 4th Congressional District in south-central Kansas, five candidates are vying for the Republican nomination to replace Tiahrt: Jim Anderson, Wink Hartman, Mike Pompeo, Paij Rutschman and state Sen. Jean Schodorf.

On the Democratic side, state Rep. Raj Goyle will face Robert Tillman.

Aistrup said Pompeo looks like a fairly strong candidate for the 4th Congressional seat.

"Wichita is leaning Republican now, but certainly it's not out of reach for Goyle, who has some strong campaign skills," Aistrup said.

Legislative races

Both Republicans and Democrats are hoping to pick up state House seats this election year.

In Sedgwick County, the GOP is eyeing the 87th District, which Wichita Democrat state Rep. Raj Goyle left to run for Congress and the 95th District, where Democratic Rep. Melany Barnes resumed her former position when fellow Democrat Tom Sawyer left to join the State Parole Board.

At the last moment, Wichita Republican Eric Payne dropped his bid for the 87th District because of increased work obligations and the impending addition of triplets to his family. That leaves Republican Joseph Scapa to face Democrat Om Chauhan in the fall.

Among key races for the Democrats is the 82nd District, which has been held by Republican Rep. Don Myers, R-Derby, since 1992. Myers is retiring.

Thursday morning, Democratic National Committeeman E.L. Lee Kinch filed to run for the seat. He will face the winner of a three-way Republican primary race.

Those races won't appear until the November general election. For the August election, south-central Kansas will have five contested legislative primaries, one Democratic and the rest Republican.

And one legislative district — the 103rd District in north Wichita — already effectively has a new representative.

Rep. Delia Garcia, D-Wichita, withdrew her election bid at the last moment Thursday. She is taking a political position that she said she could not talk about yet. In her place, her campaign manager, Ponka-We Victors, filed to run. There are no other candidates in the district that hasn't seen a Republican challenger since 1998.

Victors is expected to assume the seat in January.

This story was originally published June 11, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Election 2010: Primary races set."