It took the Barton County Republican Central Committee five rounds of balloting Thursday night before Jon Prescott of Ellinwood emerged atop a field of four candidates to fill the unexpired term of the resigning District 4 County Commissioner Jim Daily. The convention was held in the County Commission’s Courthouse chamber.
Nominations were be taken from the floor, and Prescott was joined by Dale Dirks, Tricia Schlessiger and Randy Wetzel in standing for the position. Those who nominated the candidates all gave brief speeches extolling their nominee’s qualifications, highlighting their ties to the area and strong conservative values.
Then, each of the nominees had a chance to make their case. All expressed a deep appreciation for Barton County, their deep roots here and their desire to serve county residents.
The balloting
It was Ricki Maddox who nominated Prescott.
“He has a great vision for the future,” she said. “He will bring a fair, honest and dignified presence to the commission.”
She noted his strong Christian faith and “a passion for the county and the country.”
“I love people and I love serving,” Prescott said. “I am very excited about serving you in your best interest, not my own.”
He noted his experience working in the for-profit sector and, most recently, as the executive director of Sunflower Diversified Services, a non-profit agency serving those with special needs. He said he has learned much along the way, especially from the clients at Sunflower.
“I’ve lived in the county my whole life,” Prescott said. He has spent nearly six years on the Ellinwood City Council and hopes he can expand on that knowledge as a county commissioner.
He also thanked his wife Jodi for her support.
With 13 District 4 committee members, it took a majority of seven to pick a winner, said County Republican Committee Chairman Dick Friedeman. By state statute, votes had to be taken until the magic number was reached.
Multiple rounds ended in either a three- or two-way tie. “It’s time for some of you to look at your second choices,” Friedeman said.
What happens now
Prescott will now fill the term that expires in January of next year. He has already filed to run in this fall’s mid-term election to run for a chance to keep the seat.
Commissioners serve four-year terms, with two of the five commissioners being elected in the same year, and the other three commissioners elected two years later. Districts 1, 4 and 5 are on the ballot this year.
Nominees had to reside in District 4. According to the Barton County website, the district encompasses the bottom third of the county, excluding Great Bend and the immediately surrounding area, and includes Ellinwood and Pawnee Rock.
Prescott’s name will be submitted to Gov. Laura Kelly, who will have seven days to finalize the appointment, Friedeman said. If no action is taken by her, the candidate automatically assumes the post.
Daily announced his resignation, effective March 16, at the commission meeting last Wednesday. He is moving to the Wichita area so he can better care for his wife who has cancer.
“I have enjoyed my time as county commissioner,” said Daily, who has been a commissioner for three years. “It has been a pleasure representing, not only the Fourth District, but all of Barton County.”
