Brandon Whisenhunt, 45, was selected last evening by the local Republican Party to fill the Bourbon County Commission District One position. The meeting took place at the Fort Scott Livestock Market.
Whisenhunt replaces Nelson Blythe, who resigned earlier this month.
“I work as a trash truck technician for waste management in Kansas City, Kansas,” Whisenhunt said. “I was previously a city council member for the City of Mapleton and currently volunteer for the Mapleton Homecoming Committee. My wife Becky and I have been married for almost 25 years we have four children, 2 birth and 2 adopted.” He works in Kansas four days a week.
He also has a Federal Firearms License and can sell firearms from his home, he said.
“I asked for this job because I feel like District 1 and the entire county is being ignored by the people who are supposed to be listening to the people,” he said. “I will listen to the people and do my best to make sure they are heard.”
“Blythe was beginning to build trust and I want to continue that,” he said. “I will need to talk to department heads. I know the county has a budget and we have been overspending.”
Roads, solar and wind generators in the county are top issues with him, he said.
The Process to Select
Seven people applied for the position before the deadline: Joe Bisogno Jr., Marion “Mike” Embry, Nick Graham, Ken Klassen, Mary Pemberton, Brent Smith, and Whisenhunt.
” Mike Embry was unable to attend in person due to a trip that was planned before the application process began, however; he prepared a written statement that was read by Mark McCoy,” Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk said.
“The Chairman of the Republican party must send a certificate of election results to the Governor’s office within 24 hours of the vote,” Hawkins said. “The Governor’s office will certify Brandon Whisenhunt as the District 1 Commissioner and send him a Certificate of Appointment. I must receive a copy of the Certificate of Appointment before Brandon can be sworn in and act as a Commissioner. Due to the timing of Nelson’s resignation the term Brandon will fulfill will only be for the remainder of the year. The Commission 1 seat will be on the ballot this year (in November) to elect an individual for a two-year term.”
Thirty-eight citizens attended the Republican event to select a replacement.
Ten of 12 precinct persons voted, according to Chairman Mark McCoy. They were from District 1 in the county.
“Now I will complete the process by sending certified notice today to the Governor’s office,” McCoy said. “Once received the Governor will officially appoint and send the certificate to Mr. Whisenhunt and he will bring it to our County Clerk who will record it. Brandon can start serving as soon as the County Clerk records it.”
The Bourbon County Democrats will meet on Sunday, April 21, at 2:00 p.m. in the Ellis Center Meeting Rooms at Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
After a short meeting, State Representative Linda Featherston will speak and then hold a short discussion time. Information regarding the special election on May 14 will be shared, and a candidate who has filed for State Senate will introduce himself.
Please come join us. We have a full agenda! Contact 620 215 1505 by leaving a message or, preferably, a text with your name.
The Bourbon County Commission room, at the courthouse.
On Tuesday, April 16 at the Ft Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd, the local Republican party will convene to nominate a replacement for Bourbon County District 1 Commissioner Nelson Blythe who resigned on April 1, according to a press release from Deb Martin, Bourbon County Republican Secretary.
Blythe said he intends to run for Bourbon County Sheriff, according to the Bourbon County Commission Minutes of April 1.
Nelson Blythe resigned as Bourbon County District 1 Commissioner on April 1.
Only District 1 Precinctmen and Women will vote on this appointment, according to the press release.
The voting precinct men and women of District 1 are as follows:
Marion: Brent Smith and Nancy Holt
Franklin: Tony Bradbury and Kaity Bradbury
Timberhill: Dan Laughlin and Jan Laughlin
Millcreek: Michael Keyes and Debra Martin
North Scott: Bill Lalman and Glenda Lalman
Marmaton: Charles Robinson and CJ Robinson
“April 16th we will meet at Ft. Scott livestock market, 2131 Maple Road 6:30 p.m.” Mark McCoy, chairman of the local Republican party, said. “The meeting will start open to the public for introductions of the Individuals wishing to be considered to fill the open 1st district commissioner position.”
Then each candidate will have up to three minutes to introduce themselves and why they should be chosen. The closed
portion of the meeting begins immediately following that introduction.
Each candidate will speak to the precinct people individually with a brief question and answer period, McCoy said.
“After all candidates have completed this portion we will discuss candidates and precinct people will vote,” he said.
Interested Republican residents of Bourbon County District 1 seeking to fill the county commission seat vacated by Nelson Blythe should send a letter stating their interest with reasons why they should be selected to: Mark McCoy, Chairman, email [email protected] or by postal mail to Mark McCoy, 2138 Jayhawk Rd, Ft Scott, KS 66701 by Thursday, April 11, 2024 by days end.
“When the individual resigns, they submit a resignation letter to me and the Governor’s office and I submit the resignation letter to the Chairperson of whatever party they are affiliated with,” said Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk. “The political party then has 21 days to appoint a replacement and send notice of the replacement to the Governor’s office. The Governor’s office will send a certificate of appointment to the replacement who would need to file a copy of the certificate in the Clerk’s office before they can perform any duties as Commissioner.”
All Republicans and independents are invited to the Republican meeting on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, 6 pm, at Ft Scott Livestock Market, 2131 Maple Rd, Ft Scott, KS
A Florida man is under arrest after being charged with election fraud in Kansas. George Andrews, 30 of Dade City, Florida, was arrested on Feb. 10 for forging signatures on petitions to make “No Labels” an officially recognized political party in Kansas.
“The arrested individual was part of a scheme to defraud Kansas voters by placing their forged signatures on petitions. In Kansas, we take election fraud seriously, and we will prosecute every case where the evidence indicates a crime has been committed beyond a reasonable doubt,” Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said.
The arrest comes following an extensive investigation by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.
Andrews is charged with two counts of election perjury and 28 counts of election forgery. He was arrested on Feb. 10 in Dade City, Florida. Pending extradition to Kansas, Andrews will appear in Johnson County District Court.
In 2015, the legislature gave the Attorney General’s Office and the Secretary of State’s Office the authority to prosecute elections crimes in Kansas. When Kobach was Secretary of State, he successfully prosecuted 12 cases of election fraud, including double voting and non-citizen voting. Kobach is the first Kansas Attorney General to exercise the authority to prosecute election crimes.
Andrews should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
A sign in front of the Bourbon County Courthouse in November 2021.
Two elections will take place this spring, a presidential preference one on March 19 and one on April 16, for a question on whether a one-quarter cent sales tax would be imposed locally to partially fund health care services, including emergency (ambulance) services.
The following is provided by Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins.
March 2024 election
This is a Presidential Preference Primary.
“A presidential preference primary takes an act by the Kansas legislature to be conducted. The enactment takes the responsibility from the two-state parties (Republican and Democrat) in Kansas from conducting a caucus, and instead, having the state of Kansas conduct a primary election. It is a “preference” primary because it is an election where the vote totals are given to a political party to allocate delegates to candidates at the national convention. This is not a primary where the voters select the party candidate. This year, the state legislature decided to resurrect the state-run presidential preference primary, which had only been used in Kansas in 1980 and 1992,” according to the Kansas Secretary of State website.
Early voting will take place at the courthouse and begin on March 12 and run until Monday, March 18 at noon.
Residents will be able to vote at their normal polling place from 7:00 am-7:00 pm on March 19.
The list of candidates is located below.
The Democrat-filed candidates are:
Dean Phillips
Jason Michael Palmer
Joseph R Biden Jr.
Marianne Williamson
The Republican-filed candidates are:
Donald J. Trump
Nikki R. Haley
Ron DeSantis
Ryan L. Binkley
April 2024 election
The sales tax question will be the only thing on the ballot in April, Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins said.
The one-quarter cent sales tax would be imposed to partially fund health care services, including emergency (ambulance) services.
“Right now, the question is still being drafted with the two attached questions being submitted by County Counselor Justin Meeks at the last commission meeting as possible options and are drafts that are subject to change,” she said.
The election will be held on April 16 with early voting beginning on April 9.
This is a draft of the tax question, subject to change:
Bourbon County Democrats kick off 2024 with their first general meeting on Sunday, February 18th, 2024.
The meeting will be held at Fort Scott Community College in The Ellis Building meeting rooms.
The meeting time is 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
They will welcome a well-known Kansas Legislator to this first meeting: Representative Vic Miller, House Minority Leader. Miller is leaving the House to run for Kansas Senate this year and will be discussing “Cracking the Super Majority,” along with other issues relevant to Bourbon County and the State.
Please join BBcoDems to welcome Representative Miller.
We are also holding a special drawing (which involves customized engraving).
For more information, call or text 620 215 1505. Please add your name to the message.
The vote here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.
Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins spoke to the commissioners on January 23 about the upcoming Presidential Preference Primary election on March 19.
Hawkins stated the last day to register to vote will be February 19th. Early voting will begin at the courthouse on March 11 and run until noon on March 18. On March 19 residents will be able to vote at their normal polling place.
Unaffiliated voters will not be able to vote in this election, Hawkins said. “They would have to register to be a Democrat or Republican, but they can affiliate up until election day. They can re-register as an independent after the election.”
Commissioner Clifton Beth asked who will be paying for this election and Hawkins said the State will be reimbursing the County for what they consider hard-costs such as ballots, building rent, and personnel costs.
Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins. Submitted photo.
The following is from the Kansas Secretary of State’s website about the election:
What is a Presidential Preference Primary?
A presidential preference primary takes an act by the Kansas legislature to be conducted. The enactment takes the responsibility from the two state parties (Republican and Democrat) in Kansas from conducting a caucus, and instead, having the state of Kansas conduct a primary election. It is a “preference” primary because it is an election where the vote totals are given to a political party to allocate delegates to candidates at the national convention. This is not a primary where the voters selected the party candidate.
What is the History of Presidential Preference Primary in Kansas?
In Kansas, it is a function of the state political parties to allocate delegates to presidential candidates at each party’s national convention to select each party’s presidential nominee. Such delegates are chosen via caucus or convention by the political parties. This year, the state legislature decided to resurrect the state-run presidential preference primary, which had only been used in Kansas in 1980 and 1992.
When is the Election?
The Republican and Democratic parties can have a state-run primary election on March 19, 2024. However, either party may opt out of participating in the primary by notifying the Secretary of State on or before December 1, 2023.
Who is on the Ballot?
Presidential candidates must file their candidacy with the Secretary of State 60 days before the election (12:00 p.m. January 19, 2024). Candidates must either pay a $10,000 filing fee or present a petition with 5,000 signatures of registered Kansas voters of the applicable political party.
What Voters Can Participate?
Each political party must notify the Secretary of State in writing on or before January 16, 2024, as to who may vote in the party’s primary election.
Where is my Polling Location?
Like other elections, the county election office will determine where the voting locations are held. Advance voting by mail and advance voting in person are also an option. You will vote at your regular polling place unless you receive a notification by mail from your county election office. You may also verify your polling location on the VoterView website.
Eight Candidates File for the Kansas Presidential Preference Primary
Friday, January 19, 2024
TOPEKA – Secretary of State Scott Schwab announced that eight candidates, four Democrats and four Republicans, met today’s filing deadline for the state’s Presidential Preference Primary. The preference primary will be held on March 19. Candidates were required to pay a $10,000 filing fee and submit notarized paperwork with the Kansas Secretary of State’s office.
The Democrat filed candidates are:
Dean Phillips
Jason Michael Palmer
Joseph R Biden Jr.
Marianne Williamson
The Republican filed candidates are:
Donald J. Trump
Nikki R. Haley
Ron DeSantis
Ryan L. Binkley
“I am pleased to have four candidates from each major political party file with our office,” Schwab said. “I encourage Kansans to get out and vote in this historic election.”
As a reminder, the deadline to register or update voter registration is February 20 to participate in the preference primary.
In accordance with K.S.A. 25-4503(d), the Secretary of State’s office conducted the random selection of the ballot order for both political parties on January 22, at the Memorial Hall Auditorium in Topeka.
In addition to the ballot order selected by the Office, each ballot will have four candidate names, as well as a “none of the names shown” option. To learn more about this one-time Presidential Preference Primary visit VoteKansas.gov.
Those elected in the last November election will be sworn in sometime in December, because of their duties starting in January, said Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins.
Also in January, the Bourbon County Commission will choose a chairman for the year amongst themselves, she said.
This year the county elections were done on newly purchased election equipment, Hawkins said, with few glitches.
“We had a representative from the company on site, Clear Ballot, of Boston, Massachusetts,” she said.
The prior county clerk purchased all new equipment before she resigned, Hawkins said.
The following are the newly elected officials from the November 7, 2023 election:
For the City of Fort Scott Commission: Tracy Dancer, Matthew Wells, and Dyllon Olson.
For the Bronson City Council: Michael Stewart, Christy O’Brien, and Kayla Greenway.
As Mayor of Fulton: Misty Adams
On the Fulton City Council: Lawrence Paddock, Ronald Marsh, and Stephanie Smith.
On the Uniontown City Council: Danea Esslinger, Bradley Stewart, and Mary Pemberton.
On the the Redfield Council: L.D. Morrison, Brandy Corriston and Mel Hunt.
On the Mapleton Council, Michael Hueston, Tayler Northcutt* and Woody Brown*.
*These candidates were chosen by lot on November 20, 2023
to break a three-way tie, with the Bourbon County Chairman Jim Harris pulling a name out of a hat, supervised by the county clerk, she said.
For the Fort Scott USD 234 Board of Education:
Position 1: James Wood
Position 2: Mike Miles
Position 3: Doug Hurd
At-large: Stewart Gulager
For the Uniontown USD235 Board of Education:
Position 1: Troy Couchman
Position 2: Rhonda Hoener
Position 3: Seth Martin
At-Large: Matt Kelly
For the Southwind Extension District: Trent Johnson and Deb Lust.
For the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees: Ronda Bailey, Douglas Ropp, and Chad McKinnis.
