Incumbents from both parties held on to their seats in Kansas House contests in the Blue Valley area on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.
- The polls in Johnson County closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday, and the Johnson County Election Office has released unofficial final results later in the evening.
Big takeaway: In seven House contests in the Post’s coverage area in south Overland Park, Leawood and parts of Olathe, incumbents all won, many of appearing to coast to easy victory, according to Tuesday’s unofficial results.
The Post has reached out to the candidates for comments. This story will be updated when we hear back from candidates.
Here is district-by-district breakdown of contested races Tuesday for Kansas House seats in the Blue Valley coverage area:
House District 8
With 55% of the vote, Republican incumbent Chris Croft appears to have beaten out Democratic challenger Pam Shernuk.
House District 16
Democratic incumbent Linda Featherston won against Republican Ed Roitz in District 16 after receiving 54% of the votes.
- “I am honored to be sent back to the Kansas House. Thank you District 16. It’s the honor of a lifetime to serve you!” Featherston wrote on Twitter.
House District 20
In District 20, Democrat incumbent Mari-Lynn Poskin came out on top with 55% of the votes, besting Republican Carrie Rahfaldt.
House District 27
After receiving 58% of the vote, Republican incumbent Sean Tarwater is set to represent District 27 for another term. He faced off against Democrat candidate Christi Pribula.
House District 28
In a close race, Republican incumbent Carl Turner appears to have won another term in District 28, taking home 51% of the vote over Democrat Ace Allen, who received 49% of the votes.
House District 29
Democrat incumbent Heather Meyer, who was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Brett Parker last year, won her seat outright in District 29, besting Republican David Soffer by receiving 57% of the votes.
House District 48
In the race for the District 48 seat, Democrat incumbent Dan Osman won in a close race with Republican Terry Frederick after getting 51% of the votes.
- Like Meyer, Osman was running for his seat for the first day, having stepped in for former Rep. Jennifer Day, who resigned her seat in summer 2021.
- “Knowing the previous election results, I was mentally prepared to not know the results this evening, but I’m thrilled that I won,” Osman told the Post. “And I’m thrilled to continue to represent District 48 for another two years.”
- When looking to the future, Osman said some of his goals include expanding Medicaid, legalizing medical and medicinal marijuana and eliminating civil asset forfeiture.
