Former TV meteorologist, Democratic Party leader among JoCo winners for KS statehouse
A former head of the Kansas Democratic Party was able to keep his party’s hold on a northeast Johnson County state senate seat vacated by Barbara Bollier.
According to unofficial final results Tuesday evening, Democrat Ethan Corson, of Fairway, beat opponent Laura McConwell, a Republican and former long-time mayor of Mission. Bollier, meanwhile, lost her bid for the U.S. Senate to U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, a Republican.
With all precincts reporting, Corson carried nearly 58 percent of the vote with 27,173 votes. McConwell ended with nearly 40 percent and 18,625 votes.
An attorney who grew up in Johnson County, Corson served as executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party from August 2017 to August 2019. Before that, former President Barack Obama had appointed Corson to two senior leadership positions in the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Corson, who on Saturday tweeted that he had knocked on 1,664 doors since Labor Day, supports Medicaid expansion and focusing on education, including increasing teacher pay and restoring due process protections for teachers.
Senate District 10
Former Kansas City TV Meteorologist Mike Thompson won his first four-year term in Topeka, according to unofficial final election results.
Thompson, a Republican, beat Democrat Lindsey Constance, a teacher and member of the Shawnee City Council.
With all precincts reporting, he ended with 21,490 votes and more than 51 percent of the vote. Constance received 19,675 votes and 47 percent.
In January, Republican precinct committee members in Senate District 10 unanimously selected Thompson to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook, who announced her resignation in late December.
A conservative Republican, Thompson supports limited government, individual liberty and free enterprise, according to his website.
Senate District 8
Democrat Cindy Holscher will be the next Kansas state senator in District 8, according to unofficial final results Tuesday evening.
With all precincts reporting, Holscher finished with 53 percent and 22,651 votes. Her opponent, Republican James Todd, received 19,194 votes.
Republican Jim Denning, held the District 8 Senate seat for eight years, but decided not to run again.
For the past two terms, Holscher has been in Topeka representing House District 16.
She supports Medicaid expansion and fully funding public schools and has advocated for transparency in Topeka.
House District 17
A Lenexa mother who has spent years pushing for gun laws will now go to Topeka as a legislator, according to unofficial final results.
Democrat Jo Ella Hoye beat Republican Kristine Sapp in the race for House District 17. Hoye received nearly 50 percent of the vote compared to Sapp’s 45 percent. Libertarian Michael Kerner received 3 percent.
Hoye, a stay-at-home mom, has spent more than three years volunteering for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. She’s also a former senior analyst in the Johnson County Manager’s Office.
Her priorities include education, making sure all Kansans have access to health care and criminal justice reform. She supports making sure the Kansas Department of Corrections has the resources it needs to avoid a lack of staff and compromised safety.
House District 78
Incumbent Ron Ryckman, R-Olathe, who has represented House District 78 since 2012, won another term Tuesday night, according to unofficial results in Johnson County.
Ryckman, who owns and operates a commercial roofing company, beat challenger Democrat Kathy Meyer, a teacher for more than three decades.
With all precincts reporting, Ryckman received nearly 52 percent of the vote compared to Meyer’s nearly 47 percent.
Ryckman has been speaker of the House for the past four years. He’s against Medicaid expansion and has advocated for foster care reform.
Other races for the Kansas Statehouse include:
Kansas Senate District 23
With all precincts reporting, incumbent Republican Rob Olson beat Democrat Wendy Budetti. Olson ended up with more than 52 percent of the vote, according to unofficial final results,.
Senate District 11
Republican Kellie Warren beat Democrat Joy Koesten, according to unofficial final results. Warren ended up with nearly 52 percent of the vote.
Senate District 9
With all precincts reporting Tuesday night, Republican Beverly Gossage beat Democrat Stacey Knoell. Gossage ended up with more than 51 percent of the vote, according to unofficial final results.
House District 16
Democrat Linda Featherston beat Republican Rashard Young by just four votes, according to unofficial final results Tuesday night. Featherston ended up with 6,833 votes and Young had 6,829.
House District 20
According to unofficial final results, Democrat Mari-Lynn Poskin beat Republican Jane Dirks. Poskin ended up with nearly 51 percent of the vote.
House District 26
Incumbent Republican Adam Thomas beat Democrat Mike Shimeall with nearly 59 percent of the vote, according to unofficial final results Tuesday evening.
House District 48
Republican Terry Frederick narrowly beat incumbent Democrat Jennifer Day by just 11 votes. Frederick ended up with 6,626 votes and Day with 6,615, according to unofficial final results.
House District 49
Incumbent Republican Megan Lynn beat Democrat Katie Dixon. With all precincts reporting, Lynn ended up with nearly 51 percent of the vote.
This story was originally published November 3, 2020 at 7:01 PM.
