For the first time in 8 years, the Saline County Commission will not have Randy Duncan on it.
In Tuesday’s primary election Duncan, the current commission chairman, finished third in a three person race. He came in behind challengers Duane Flaherty who finished second, and former Salina Mayor Monte Shadwick who won the election. Shadwick will face Democrat Stephanie Cool in the November general election.
Duncan told KSAL News late Tuesday night that he will support Shadwick in the general election. He added, though, “I will support him, but don’t agree with him. Hopefully when he gets in office he will change his views.”
In the closest race of the night, incumbent Diana Dierks held off challenger Tom Bell to retain her seat in the 71st District of the Kansas House of Representatives. She told KSAL News that it was a “win for the people of the district”. She said “I think it’s vitally important that I pay attention to what the people in the district want, because I am in Topeka to represent them”.
Voter turnout was nearly 24 percent. Saline County Clerk Don Merriman, who had predicted a 25 percent turnout, tells KSAL News that ther are still around 75 provisional ballots to be counted, so turnout might still reach 25 percent.
Merriman believes that turnout will be very strong in the November general election. Along with the governor’s race, local ballot questions including expanding the Saline County Commission to five, fluoridation, and sales tax to expand the Saline County Jail will all attract a lot of interest.
—
