HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Voters across Reno, Rice, McPherson, Kingman, Pratt and Stafford counties will decide several contested Kansas House races in the Nov. 3 general election, including challenges to incumbent lawmakers and an open seat representing portions of central Kansas.
All 125 seats in the Kansas House of Representatives are up for election this year. The candidates elected in November will serve two-year terms and help determine state policy on education funding, property taxes, agriculture, water resources, health care and economic development.
The six-county region includes 10 Kansas House districts, with several crossing county boundaries.
Reno County
Four Kansas House districts cover portions of Reno County, including three contests involving Hutchinson-area voters.
In House District 101, Democrat Mary Ann Harmon faces Republican Kevin O'Brien. O'Brien secured the Republican nomination in August, defeating Casey Slaughter with approximately 61% of the primary vote. The seat is currently held by Republican Joe Seiwert, who is not seeking another term.
Harmon has emphasized affordability, property taxes, health care costs and protecting water resources.
In District 102, Republican incumbent Kyler Sweely faces former Democratic state Rep. Jason Probst.
Probst represented the district from 2017 through 2024 before losing to Sweely in the 2024 election. The November contest will be a rematch between the two candidates.
Sweely defeated Republican challenger Tyson Thrall in the August primary, receiving approximately 58% of the vote.
In District 104, Democrat Lynnette Krieger-Zook faces Republican Randy Parks for an open seat. The seat is currently held by Republican Paul Waggoner, who is not seeking another term.
Krieger-Zook is a retired special education teacher who has emphasized affordability and government accountability.
Parks currently serves on the Reno County Commission and chose to pursue the legislative seat rather than seek another county commission term.
The district includes portions of Reno and McPherson counties.
Western Reno County voters will also participate in the District 114 election.
McPherson County
Four Kansas House districts extend into McPherson County.
In District 70, Republican incumbent Greg Wilson faces Democrat Kylie Christine Kilmer. Wilson survived an August Republican primary challenge from Brandon Rein, winning approximately 54% of the vote.
Kilmer, an educator, has identified public school funding and rural health care as campaign priorities.
In District 73, Republican incumbent Lori Shultz faces Democrat Bobby Joe Robertson Jr., a financial analyst from McPherson.
Shultz has emphasized reducing taxes and limiting government spending. District 73 includes McPherson, Lindsborg and Marquette.
In District 74, Republican incumbent Mike King faces Democrat Michele Ediger of Walton.
King, a former Kansas secretary of transportation and business owner, defeated Craig Andres in the Republican primary with approximately 77% of the vote.
Ediger has experience in business ownership, banking, real estate and office management.
McPherson County also includes portions of District 104, where Krieger-Zook and Parks are competing.
Rice and Stafford Counties
Voters in Rice and Stafford counties will help decide the House District 113 contest between Republican incumbent Brett Fairchild and Democrat Jo Ann Roth.
Fairchild, a farmer from Stafford County, has served in the Kansas House since 2021.
Roth, of Ellinwood, previously worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency and the Transportation Security Administration.
Both candidates advanced to the general election without opposition in their respective primaries.
The district covers Rice and Stafford counties along with additional portions of central Kansas.
Kingman County
Kingman County voters will decide the district 114 contest between Republican incumbent Kevin Schwertfeger of Turon and Democrat Alan Albers of Cunningham.
Schwertfeger works in agriculture as a crop consultant and cattleman.
Albers is a retired educator and former grain farmer who previously served on the Cunningham City Council and Kingman County Economic Development Board.
Albers has emphasized protecting rural schools, conserving water and supporting small communities.
District 114 includes all of Kingman County and portions of Reno and Pratt counties.
Pratt County
Pratt County voters will participate in two Kansas House races.
Along with District 114, voters in District 116 will choose between Republican incumbent Kyle Hoffman and Democrat Nathan Bales.
Hoffman, a farmer and rancher, has served in the Kansas House since 2010 and holds a leadership position as assistant majority leader.
He defeated Herb Landwehr in the August Republican primary with approximately 59% of the vote.
Bales, of Pratt, serves as chairman of the Pratt County Democratic Party.
Hoffman has emphasized limiting government spending, reducing regulations and supporting agriculture and public education.
Issues Facing Central Kansas
The candidates elected across the region will help shape legislative decisions affecting local governments, schools, farmers, businesses and families.
Property tax relief remains a significant concern for many Kansas voters, along with state education funding and the rising costs of housing, health care and everyday necessities.
Water conservation and agricultural policy are also important issues across central Kansas, where communities face questions about groundwater supplies, rural economic development and the long-term sustainability of farming.
Lawmakers will also consider funding for highways, rural hospitals, public safety and other state services when the Legislature convenes in January.
Important Election Dates
The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 general election is Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Advance voting begins Wednesday, Oct. 14, although specific in-person voting schedules vary by county.
The deadline to request an advance ballot by mail is Oct. 27.
Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Voters can confirm their legislative district, polling location and registration information through the Kansas Secretary of State's Office or their county election office.