Primary election will bring finality to certain races

Skipping the August primaries to vote in the general election in November is a tradition among voters. But doing so this year could cost you a chance to decide key races.

Several high-profile races — such as those for a Sedgwick County Commission seat, the county district attorney’s office and several state legislative seats — will be determined by Republican voters in the Aug. 7 primary. The winners don’t face opposition in the general election in November.

The race for the District 3 County Commission seat between Republicans Jeff Longwell and Karl Peterjohn is one of those.

“We’re trying to share, every chance we get, that the election is Aug. 7,” said Longwell, a Wichita City Council member.

The situation, he said, could help break the tradition of indifference toward the primaries.

“I think that you’re going to see an unprecedented turnout,” Longwell said.

In 2008, about 18 percent of Democrats and 23 percent of Republicans turned out for the primary in Sedgwick County, compared with an overall turnout of 74 percent in the general election.

Peterjohn, the incumbent, said candidates in his district historically have not faced competition in the general election, and he’s out campaigning among Republicans to generate support for his candidacy.

Voters are just now beginning to become more focused on the elections, Peterjohn said. “I think there’s a lot of folks more tuned into their jobs and families and their personal circumstances at this point, but I’ve noticed more interest and intensity in the election when I talk to voters.”

Voters can participate in the Republican or Democratic primary — whichever party they are affiliated with — but not both. Those who want to change party affiliation must do so by July 17. Unaffiliated voters can affiliate with a party on Election Day.

Kevin O’Connor, a Republican who is running for the DA’s office in the primary against Republican Marc Bennett, said, “People that I’ve been talking to understand that it’s a Republican primary and the date is Aug. 7. I don’t know that it’s been a particular issue with me. A lot of people ask who the Democratic candidate is.”

Bennett said he is emphasizing the finality of the primary as he campaigns.

“People that care enough about politics in general typically understand,” he said. “But there’s a lot of people who don’t realize there’s no Democrat in the race.”

Democrats didn’t file for the District 3 County Commission seat or district attorney race because those who wanted to run focused on state races, said Brandon Whipple, chairman of the Sedgwick County Democratic Party. “They were interested in putting the brakes on the (Gov. Sam) Brownback agenda,” he said.

The state Senate District 31 election, between Republican incumbent Carolyn McGinn and Gary Mason, also will be over on Aug. 7.

“People who are engaged are well aware, but there’s a fair number of people who are not aware,” Mason said. “We encourage people to make sure they vote in the primary.”

McGinn, who also is encouraging people to vote on Aug. 7, said the number of races that will end in August is the most she has seen. Part of it has to do with the new redistricting maps drawn recently by federal judges, she said. And part of it is a reflection of the times.

“We’re going through some defining times in Kansas, so a lot of people have an interest in running and sharing their thoughts and views on what’s best for Kansas,” she said.

Other races to be decided Aug. 7 among Republicans include the Senate District 26 primary between incumbent Dick Kelsey and Dan Kerschen and the state Board of Education District 8 primary between incumbent Walt Chappell and Kathy Busch. A number of judicial races also will be decided.

The only area Democratic primary where the winner will face no opponent in November is the race for House District 103 between incumbent Ponka-We Victors and Angela Martinez.

Mel Kahn, a Democrat and political science professor at Wichita State University, said he didn’t recall these situations occurring to this extent in the past. “The nature of the drawing of the boundaries is such that a number of people are thrown into the same districts,” he said.

The state’s political parties find themselves in an awkward position. They don’t want to appear to favor one party candidate over another in the primaries, but they also know some of their members and elected officials will work on behalf of candidates who are friends or who have supported them in the past.

Clay Barker, executive director of the Kansas Republican Party, said party rules prohibit paid staff from endorsing or contributing to any of its candidates in the primaries. The party also has asked elected officials not to endorse anyone.

The state party can give legal advice and general information to its candidates, he said.

“Otherwise, we just stay out of it,” he said.

Dakota Loomis, spokesman for the Kansas Democratic Party, said it’s up to each candidate to let voters know the situation when they campaign.

“We don’t do a lot of work on contested primaries other than basic stuff we provide to all candidates,” he said.

This story was originally published June 24, 2012 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Primary election will bring finality to certain races."