by Murrel Bland
It is rather unusual during a Wyandotte County Primary Election season to see two candidates, each on the Democrat and Republican tickets in the 36th District, for the Kansas House of Representatives. The incumbent Democrat, Kathy Wolfe Moore, is retiring.
And among Republicans, there is controversy.
The Republican candidates are Kevin Braun, a former appointed state senator, and Mark David Snelson, a retired Wyandotte County deputy sheriff.
Snelson’s campaign treasurer and political adviser is John Altevogt, a former chairman of the Wyandotte County Republican Central Committee. Altevogt is not known as one who shies away from controversy. He has accused Braun of denying Snelson of having the “sidekick” software that is used in door-to-door campaigns. However, Snelson did eventually receive the software from the state Republican organization after a media inquiry, according to Altevogt.
Altevogt also has alleged that Braun pushed out the vice chairperson of the Wyandotte County Central Republican Committee, Stephanie Cashion. Cashion made headlines after she filed a battery report with the Bonner Springs Police Department alleging sexual battery against Fabian Shepard on Aug. 20, 2021. Shepard subsequently resigned as chairman of the Johnson County Central Republican Committee.
The Democrat candidates
JoAnne Gilstrap is a pharmacist at the WalMart store in Village West. She is seeking the 36th District House of Representatives seat. Several attempts to reach her for biographical information were unsuccessful. She is a Democrat who has been a Republican. Her husband is Mark Gilstrap, who was a state senator.
Also seeking the 36th District seat as a Democrat is Lynn Melton. She recently retired from a job as an assistant to Mayor David Alvey. She said she is running so she can find ways that the state of Kansas can benefit the 36th District. She said she is concerned about adequate funding for public education and tax relief for the elderly.
The Republican candidates
Several attempts to reach Kevin Braun, who is seeking the 36th District seat, for comments were unsuccessful. Information about him was gathered from various public sources. He was appointed to serve as a state senator after Steve Fitzgerald resigned. The district covers part of western Wyandotte County and part of southern Leavenworth County. Braun, a Republican, lost in his bid to be elected to the Senate. While in the Senate from 2018 until 2020, Braun served on various committees, including Veterans and Ways and Means.
Mark David Snelson is a Republican seeking the 36th District House seat. He was unsuccessful in a bid for the House in 2018. He is a third generation law enforcement officer, having served as a Wyandotte County deputy sheriff. He was a license tag enforcement officer, a jailer and a road patrol officer. He said his main concern is obtaining adequate state funding for mental health.
The Primary Election is Tuesday, Aug. 2.
Murrel Bland is a former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press.