Preliminary election results show Topeka-area voters had clear favorites in the four contested primary elections for seats in the Kansas Legislature.
All 165 seats in the Kansas Legislature are up for election this year. While Shawnee County has eight seats in the House and four seats in the Senate, many of those races are uncontested in the primary, leaving only four contested primaries.
The Associated Press on election night called the races in favor of Tyler Wible, Alexis Simmons, Patrick Schmidt and Brenda Dietrich.
While county election offices and the Kansas Secretary of State's Office reported unofficial tallies Tuesday night, those tallies don't have provisional ballots and mail ballots that come in during the three-day grace period. Once those are counted later in the month, election results will be certified.
Here will be the unofficial results of the Aug. 6 primary election for the capital city's representatives in the Kansas Legislature:
Senate District 20 Republican Primary
Sen. Brenda Dietrich, R-Topeka, was the only local incumbent legislator running for reelection who faced a primary challenge. She was challenged by Republican Josh Powell, who served one term in the Legislature in 2013-14. Dietrich has served in the Legislature since 2017, first in the House then the Senate.
The seat represents southwest Topeka, southwest Shawnee County and all of Wabaunsee County.
With all precincts reporting, Dietrich led Powell, 53% to 47%.
"Primary campaigns are a lot of work and take an army of volunteers who are willing to walk in parades and help walk the 96 precincts in a Senate district," Dietrich said in a Facebook post. "I am grateful for your help and your support! We won the Primary and now it’s on to the General Election in November! If you have a sign in your yard, you could put it in your garage and bring it back out in October!"
More:Brenda Dietrich and Josh Powell on Republican primary ballot for Senate District 20
Senate District 19 Democratic Primary
Senate District 19 is a newly drawn district in the area after redistricting. It includes parts of Shawnee and Douglas counties.
House Minority Leader Vic Miller, D-Topeka, was seeking to return to the Senate, but Gov. Laura Kelly backed one of his primary opponents, Patrick Schmidt. Also running was ShaMecha King Simms.
With all precincts reporting, Schmidt had 54% of the vote to Miller's 34% and King Simms' 12%.
"I've SECURED the Democratic candidacy for the Senate 19 seat!" Schmidt said in a Facebook post. "Thank you all for your votes. Megan and I are grateful for all your support this year! I look forward to seeing you all in November for the general. Let's get to work."
More:Democrats ShaMecha King Simms, Vic Miller and Patrick Schmidt run for Senate District 19
Senate District 19 Republican Primary
On the Republican side of Senate District 19, Topeka's more conservative Tyler Wible was running against Lawrence's self-described moderate Cynthia Smith.
With all precincts reporting, Wible had 62% of the vote to Smith's 38%.
"Today was huge," Wible said in a Facebook post. "I'm without words, with all the calls and messages, all I can think to say is 'Thank you'. The support and love I received through this campaign is unmatched and I appreciate everyone who has been with me on this journey. On to the next battle. God Bless."
More:Cynthia Smith and Tyler Wible on GOP primary ballot for Senate District 19
House District 58 Democratic Primary
This House seat is open after the incumbent, Vic Miller, decided to run for the Senate. In the Democratic primary for the race to replace him were Wendy Damman-Bednar and Alexis Simmons. The district represents portions of central and East Topeka.
With all precincts reporting, Simmons had 85% of the vote to Damman-Bednar's 15%.
"Wow! Last night's results are amazing," Simmons said in a Facebook post. "I am so humbled by the outpouring of support. I promise to keep working hard through November to bring this seat home for the Democrats. Thank you for your confidence. We’ve got a lot of work to do, y’all!!🌻 But, we got this!! One foot in front of the other."
More:Wendy Damman-Bednar and Alexis Simmons on Democratic primary ballot for House District 58
Uncontested primary races
There were several local legislative races on the primary ballot with only one candidate running unopposed in the primary. Those are the following:
Senate District 3: Incumbent Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, and Democrat Dena Sattler.
Senate District 18: Current Rep. Kenny Titus, R-Manhattan, and Democrat Matthew Robin, of Wamego.
Senate District 20: Democrat Candace L. Ayars.
House District 50: Incumbent Rep. Kyle McNorton, R-Topeka, and Democrat Jessica "JP" Porter.
House District 52: Incumbent Rep. Jesse Borjon, R-Topeka, and Democrat Jacquie Whitney Lightcap.
House District 53: Incumbent Rep. Kirk Haskins, D-Topeka, and Republican Jeff Coen. The general election will also have Libertarian Aric Hermann.
House District 54: Incumbent Rep. Ken Corbet, R-Topeka, and Democrat Jade Pearson Ramsdell.
House District 55: Incumbent Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, D-Topeka, and Republican Michael Barron.
House District 56: Incumbent Rep. Virgil Weigel, D-Topeka, and Republican Pennie Boyer-Kloos.
House District 57: Incumbent Rep. John Alcala, D-Topeka, and Republican Donna J. McGinty.
House District 58: Republican Michael Mathewson.
