PAWNEE COUNTY — A changing of the guard has occurred in Pawnee County following Tuesday’s primary election in the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office.

Scott King, who had served as Pawnee County Sheriff since 2009, was unseated in his bid for a fifth term by Larry Atteberry by a margin of 153 votes on the Republican Party primary ballot Tuesday.

The only other contested race in the county was that of 2nd District County Commissioner. In that race, incumbent Philip Hammeke gained his third term by a 2-to-1 margin, with 231 votes. Challenger Lee Morss, seeking his first elected office, received 134.

In the race for Kansas Senate 33rd District, Tory Marie Blew received 828 votes, easily outpacing challenger John Sturn with 368. 

The winners advance to the general election set for Tuesday, Nov. 5. While most of the Republican candidates will be unopposed in the general election, Blew will face Democratic challenger Matthew Westenfeld, who received 82 Pawnee County votes on Tuesday’s ballot, in November.

Tuesday’s votes remain unofficial until they are canvassed by the Pawnee County Commissioners at their meeting next Monday.