County picks Rein, Wyatt
Staff writer
Greg Wyatt and Brandon Rein each won the vote of Marion County constituents in Tuesday’s Republican primary, according to unofficial returns.
But on the strength of votes from outside the county, incumbent Greg Wilson, not Rein, will move on to face unopposed Democratic candidate Kylie Kilmer for the 70th District House of Representatives seat.
The district includes northern and eastern Marion County as well as large parts of Dickinson County and a small portion of McPherson County.
Wyatt will move on to run against unopposed Democrat Randy Eitzen for the District 4 county commissioner seat in the general election Nov. 3.
In the 74th District House race in southern portions of the county, Republican incumber Mike King easily outpolled Craig Andres, 833-329.
Rein won the vote in Marion County by a slim five-vote margin, 462-457.
Wyatt ran away with the election, eliciting 254 votes. Dan Holub, who was picked by party officials to fill Dave Crofoot’s position as county commissioner after Crofoot’s death in July, earned the next most votes, 138. Amy Soyez had 90. Tom Britain had 35.
In other notable contested races in the county, Senator Roger Marshall outpolled challenger Pond Naramore, 1,774-432. Challenger Christy Davis narrowly led a crowded Democratic field.
Congressman Derek Schmidt outpolled challenger Chad Young, 1,769-408.
For governor, Democrats Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher essentially tied at 207-206 while Republican Ty Masterson outpolled Philip Sarnecki, 868-526. Vicki Schmidt was third with 301. Scott Schwab had 267.
For state board of education, Kritain Gerkin beat her two opponents by more than 300 votes in the county.
In the only contested Republican precinct committee races, Jim Crofoot defeated Darvin Markley 95-62 in Marion South and Clint Seibel beat Ron Wilkins 192-38 in Hillsboro 2nd.