June 10, 2008
In the 2008 political season, Shawnee voters will consider a countywide sales tax and at least one primary in August, along with a throng of local and statewide competitions this November.
In all, voters from Shawnee will help decide seven different races, along with the sales tax, in the August primary. Including the presidential election, Shawnee votes will count toward 13 different races in November.
One of the first matters at hand in the August primary is the renewal of a one-fourth cent, countywide sales tax that previously was used to provide extra funding for Johnson County school districts. The tax, scheduled to expire Dec. 31, 2008, this time would be dedicated to costs related to public safety, including detention facilities, the sheriff, Med-Act and the courts and district attorney.
Cities would receive their share of this tax, as well, and Shawnee city officials have estimated the tax would add about $1 million to city coffers. The Shawnee City Council is still discussing how best to use that money if voters approve the tax, but city staff members have suggested the funds be used to pay off the city's debt and possibly for the city's street resurfacing program, which is falling far behind schedule within a tight budget.
The biggest news in the county is Republican voters will see Phill Kline on the August primary ballot for Johnson County district attorney. Kline announced Monday he had reconsidered his decision not to run for re-election, so he will face Republican Steve Howe of Shawnee, who filed June 4. The winner will move on to the November election with former prosecutor Rick Guinn of Overland Park, who filed Monday to run as a Democrat for the position.
Shawnee Republicans also will decide the race for Johnson County sheriff, between incumbent Frank Denning of Edgerton and Ken Smith of Lenexa, who filed Monday.
Republicans will choose between current 10th District State Sen. Nick Jordan, R-Shawnee, and Paul V. Showen of Shawnee to face off against incumbent Dennis Moore, D-Lenexa, in the race for 3rd District U.S. Congress.
For Statehouse offices, there will be a Republican primary in the 23rd Kansas House District, which covers southeastern Shawnee. John Crabtree, a Merriam City Council member, will face Augie Bogina, a Shawnee planning commissioner, with the winner moving on to the general election with Democrat Milack Talia.
For the District 2 Kansas State School Board seat, voters will choose between Mary Ca Ralstin and Brandon Kenig, both of Shawnee, and the winner will face Democrat Sue Storm of Overland Park.
Additionally, Republicans will decide between the current holder of the school board seat, Sue Gamble, and former Rep. Mary Pilcher Cook, both of Shawnee, for Jordan's 10th District Kansas Senate seat.
The winner of that contest will face the winner of the Democratic primary between Michael Bolton of Shawnee and Pete Roman of Lenexa.
Shawnee Democrats also will help decide an August primary between Lee Jones of Overland Park and Jim Slattery of Topeka, who both have filed to run for U.S. Senate against Republican incumbent Pat Roberts.
In the November general election, Shawnee voters will decide between incumbent John Segale, a former Shawnee City Council member, and Jim Allen, a former Shawnee mayor, in the nonpartisan race for the District 2 seat on the Board of Johnson County Commissioners.
The rest of the state legislative seats will be decided in November, as well.
Incumbent Jill Quigley, R-Lenexa, received a challenge Tuesday when Democrat Ed Coleman of Lenexa filed in the 17th Kansas House District, which covers areas of south-central Shawnee.
In the 18th District, which covers northeastern Shawnee, Rep. Cindy Neighbor, D-Shawnee, has found competition from Republican John Rubin, a former judge.
Rep. Anthony Brown, R-Eudora, is challenged by Democrat Stephanie Kelton of Lawrence in the 38th District. The large district covers a portion of southwestern Shawnee in addition to De Soto, Eudora and parts of Lawrence and Lenexa.
Rep. Owen Donohoe, R-Shawnee, filed May 9 for election to a second term in the 39th District, which covers much of western Shawnee, Basehor and Bonner Springs. Joe Novak, principal of Mill Valley High School, filed by petition Monday to run against him as a Democrat.
The Kansas Secretary of State's office did not list any third party candidates for any races on its Web site, kssos.org.
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Point of View
Do you think it is important for Shawnee to be bicycle-friendly?
I think it’s important. I do love and use the paths, but it would be nice to have lanes so we could use bikes to run errands - saving gas!
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