Sean Hatfield elected chairman of Sedgwick County Republicans

Wichita lawyer and former mayoral candidate Sean Hatfield was elected Thursday night as chairman of the Sedgwick County Republican Party.

Hatfield won the post unopposed by acclimation. Former state Rep. Jason Watkins initially filed but decided not to run, said Kelly Arnold, state GOP chairman.

Hatfield, a lawyer with the Maughan Law Group, ran for Wichita mayor last year and was eliminated in the primary, finishing fifth with about 10 percent of the vote in a 10-candidate field.

Joining Hatfield as party officers are:

Vice chair Tonya Buckingham, who was appointed Sedgwick County register of deeds in January after the death of her boss, Bill Meek.

Secretary Deb Lucia, a grassroots activist and former Topeka tea party leader.

Treasurer Roman Rodriguez, a member of the Wichita/Sedgwick County Access Advisory Board and the Kansas Board of Indigent Defense Services. He works in marketing and communications at Friends University.

The county party also passed a unanimous resolution honoring Olympic boxing medal winner Nico Hernandez of Wichita. Hernandez has already won at least a bronze medal and will fight Friday to compete for a gold or silver medal.

“Let’s hope Nico does a little butt-kicking tomorrow,” said outgoing party Chairman Todd Johnson.

This story was originally published August 11, 2016 at 8:11 PM with the headline "Sean Hatfield elected chairman of Sedgwick County Republicans."