Garner pulls ahead in second group of votes

Tyrone Garner has taken the lead over incumbent Mayor David Alvey with the second group of votes coming in on election night in Wyandotte County.

The second and third groups of votes represent votes that have come in on Election Day.

Garner was ahead by 295 votes in the second group of votes, 4,392 to 4,097.

For UG Commissioner, 8th District, Andrew Davis was ahead 786 to 581 votes over incumbent Commissioner Jane Winkler Philbrook. Incumbent Jim Walters was leading challenger Chuck Stites in the 7th District, UG Commissioner.

Daniel Soptic led Celisha Towers for Sheriff, 4,517 to 3,822 votes.

Early returns show most incumbents in the lead

Early returns showed incumbent Mayor David Alvey in the lead by about 145 votes, with only 6.6 percent of registered voters casting votes.

More unofficial election returns are expected later this evening.

Incumbents for the UG Commission in District 7 and 8, Jim Walters and Dr. Jane Winkler Philbrook, were behind in the early returns, with Chuck Stites, Edwardsville council member and Andrew Davis, graduate student, leading.

Daniel Soptic had an early lead for Sheriff, with Celisha Towers in second. Sheriff Don Ash is retiring.

David Haley led Mark Gilstrap for the BPU, At-Large Position 2.

Two incumbents on the KCK school board, Maxine Drew and Wanda Brownlee Paige, were leading in early returns, with Rachel Henderson in third.

Wyandotte County Unofficial All Advance – Early Voting Results

An early report from the Wyandotte County Election Office, with 5,965 ballots cast out of a total of 89,294 registered voters:


Mayor-CEO, Unified Government
Tyrone Garner 2,865
David Alvey 3,010
Write-in totals 34

Unified Government Commission

UG Commissioner at Large, District 2
Tom Burroughs 2,962
Claudine Sanders 2,528
Write-in totals 22

UG Commissioner, District 1
Gayle E. Townsend 427
Melvin Williams 284
Write-in totals 1

UG Commissioner, District 5
Eleanor Morales Clark 524
Mike Kane 1,075
Write-in totals 1

UG Commissioner, District 7
Chuck Stites 363
James F. Walters 356

UG Commissioner, District 8
Andrew Davis 503
Jane W. Philbrook 398
Write-in totals 2

Wyandotte County Sheriff
Daniel Soptic 3,264
Celisha Towers 2,509
Write-in totals 10

BPU, District 2
Brian Matlock 865
Thomas W. Groneman 1,302
Write-in totals 6

BPU, At-Large Position 1
Gwendolyn Bass 1,880
Mary Gonzales 3,346
Write-in totals 21

BPU, At-Large Position 2
Mark Gilstrap 2,031
David Haley 3,215
Write-in totals 27

USD 203, Piper (three advance)
John Bakarich III 400
Rebecca Miller Davis 243
Desiree Fergus 381
Theresa Fisette 306
Tiffany Scheffler 292
Julian A. Wells 244

USD 204, Bonner Springs (three advance)
William Barajas Jr. 124
Kimberly Beets 274
Matthew L. Birzer 122
Tiffany Sanders 246
Jeff Tinberg 271

USD 500, KCK (three advance)
Maxine Drew 2,248
Rachel Henderson 1,909
Angelynn Howell 1,370
Wanda Brownlee Paige 2,067
Diosselyn Tot 812
Write-in totals 35

Dennis Moore, former Congressman, remembered

Congressman Dennis Moore

State officials have released statements after hearing of the death of former Congressman Dennis Moore, D-3rd Dist.

Moore, 75, died Nov. 2 in Overland Park, Kansas. He served in office from 1999 through 2011.

A native of Anthony, Kansas, Moore received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, and a juris doctor degree from Washburn University School of Law. He served as assistant Kansas attorney general, and he also served as Johnson County district attorney from 1977 to 1989.

Gov. Laura Kelly has ordered flags in Kansas to fly at half-staff from sunup Nov. 3 to sundown Nov. 7 in memory of Congressman Moore.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Congressman Dennis Moore today,” Gov. Kelly said. “Congressman Moore was a fierce and tenacious advocate for children, first as Johnson County District Attorney and then as a Member of Congress. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Amber Alert system, in Kansas and nationwide.

“A veteran himself, Moore is also remembered for his commitment to our Armed Forces. Following the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, Moore led the effort to raise death gratuity benefits from $12,000 to $100,000 for the families of fallen service members.

“Beyond his policy contributions, Congressman Moore will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind, pragmatic, common-sense leader who cared deeply about the people he represented. My thoughts are with his wife Stephene, their children and grandchildren,” Gov. Kelly said.

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., also released a statement:

“I am very saddened to hear of the passing of Dennis Moore, and my heart goes out to Stephene and his family. Dennis was a dedicated, gracious, and principled leader who will be remembered for his service to the 3rd District and the state of Kansas. To say he left big shoes to fill is an understatement—he leaves a legacy of fighting tirelessly for what is good and right and decent for the people he represented.

“As we mourn his loss, I’m reminded of the first time I met the Moores in person. I brought with me the pocket U.S. Constitution that I had carried with me all through law school—a pocket Constitution with an official label from the Office of Congressman Dennis Moore. After a good laugh about how on Earth I had managed to hold on to it all those years, he offered to sign my copy and gave me advice on my campaign. For his humor, his thoughtfulness, his dedication to public service (and his guitar playing skills): he will be missed.”

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, this afternoon spoke on the U.S. Senate floor in memory of former Congressman Dennis Moore. To see his video, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LJFs0k9PZs.

Sen. Moran’s office also issued a statement:

“Congressman Dennis Moore, above all, was a kind man. He was a doting father and grandfather, and I am very saddened to learn of his passing. He served six terms on behalf of Kansans, and in our many years of working together I always had the upmost respect for him and the way he served the people of the 3rd District.

“That respect only grew when I witnessed the way he and his wife, Stephene, faced his battle with Alzheimer’s with a determination to use their experience to help others. One area where we always agreed was the need to invest in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, and in 2014, Dennis shared his experience with this devastating disease in front of my Senate subcommittee. His legacy will be the way in which he gave others battling Alzheimer’s courage and hope.

“Robba and I extend our heartfelt condolences to Stephene and their family.”

Kansas House Democratic Leader Tom Sawyer issued a statement:

“I am saddened to hear of Congressman Dennis Moore’s passing. His work in local, state, and national politics continues to influence the work we do today. As president of the Blue Dog Coalition in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Moore was at the forefront of change. I’m grateful for his tireless work in Kansas and in Washington. I send my condolences to his family and friends.”