ShawneeDispatch.com

John Segale, District 2 Johnson County Commissioner, recently formally announced his candidacy for re-election to his seat.

Segale said he decided to run again because he thinks his constituents will benefit from the knowledge he gained during his first four-year term. He said he would like to continue working to bring accountable and transparent processes to the county commission and continue his work on improving coordination of transportation efforts and investments in the county.

"My service has helped the Johnson County community become smarter, stronger and safer," Segale said.

Segale, a former Shawnee City Council member, will face opposition from Jim Allen, a former mayor Shawnee.

A video of Segale's announcement is available at his Web site, johnsegale.org.

Lawrence Democrat

files for House seat

Stephanie Kelton, a Lawrence Democrat, has filed to run for representative of the 38th Kansas House District.

The position is held by state Rep. Anthony Brown, a Republican from Eudora, who has filed re-election.

The district covers western Johnson County and eastern Douglas County, and includes Eudora, De Soto, and parts of Shawnee, Olathe, Lenexa and Lawrence.

Kelton, who has lived in Lawrence since 1999, is an assistant professor of economics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

She has conducted public policy research for the past 10 years and said taking a more active role in implementing public policy is a logical step.

Kelton said she disagreed with Brown on several major issues. She said she would have voted against legislation authorizing two coal-fired power plants. Brown has supported the project, which was vetoed three times by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

And Kelton said she supported the school finance plan approved by the Legislature in 2006, which Brown opposed.

Kelton, 38, and her husband, Paul, have three children.

Democrats to vie

for Senate seat

Two Democrats filed this week for election to the 10th District Kansas Senate seat, which covers Shawnee, Lake Quivira and portions of Lenexa.

Pete Roman of Lenexa filed Monday; Michael Bolton, Shawnee, filed for the seat Tuesday.

In a release, Roman said he would fight for the values he thinks are most important to the 10th District: building first-rate public schools, promoting economic growth, fixing the health care system and building a greener Kansas for future generations.

Roman is an 18-year resident of Johnson County and holds a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's of business administration in accounting and finance. He has worked as a management consultant for more than 25 years. He also ran for the seat in 2004.

Bolton said he was rooted in conservative values and would promote personal achievement, accountability and enterprise.

Bolton's business experience includes 10 years in retail management and 11 years with Sprint. In 2005, he began working as a market planner for a local manufacturer of residential accessibility products, including wheelchair lifts, stair lifts and elevators.

Bolton, who has lived in Shawnee since 1999, is an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and has previously served as a Sunday school teacher. An Eagle Scout, Bolton is also active in Boy Scouts as an adult volunteer.

Bolton attended Shawnee Mission West High School and graduated from Goddard High School. He attended Wichita State University before graduating from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

The 10th District race also will see a Republican primary between Kansas State School Board member Sue Gamble and former 18th District Rep. Mary Pilcher Cook, who has said she soon will file by petition. The seat is being vacated by Sen. Nick Jordan, R-Shawnee, who is running for 3rd District U.S. Congress against incumbent Dennis Moore, D-Lenexa.