Republicans lead Barton County races; Hoisington sales tax passing after split early vote

2026 general election results unofficial

Republican candidates held wide leads in every contested partisan race in Barton County on election night, according to unofficial results released at 9:16 p.m. Tuesday. A statewide constitutional amendment and sales tax questions in Great Bend and Hoisington were also ahead.

The report showed 8,533 ballots cast out of 17,179 registered voters, a turnout of 49.67 percent, with all 44 precincts reporting. The count includes the 2,896 early and advance ballots released earlier in the evening.

The Hoisington city sales tax question, which was split 74 to 75 in the early vote, was ahead 483 to 373 (56.4 percent to 43.6 percent) in the election night count.

Statewide and federal races

In the U.S. Senate race, Republican incumbent Roger Marshall led with 5,705 votes (67.3 percent). Democrat Adam Hamilton had 2,478 (29.2 percent) and Libertarian David Graham had 276 (3.3 percent).

In the 1st Congressional District, Republican Tracey Mann received 6,289 votes (74.6 percent), ahead of Democrat Lauren Reinhold with 1,933 (22.9 percent) and Libertarian Steven Jacob with 202 (2.4 percent).

The Republican governor ticket of Ty Masterson and Jeffrey Klemp had 5,982 votes (70.8 percent). The Democratic ticket of Cindy Holscher and KC Ohaebosim had 2,443 (28.9 percent).

Other statewide races in the county:

Secretary of State: Republican Pat Proctor, 5,759 (69.0 percent); Democrat Jennifer Day, 2,162 (25.9 percent); Scott E. Morgan, 422 (5.1 percent).
Attorney General: Republican Kris Kobach, 6,032 (71.5 percent); Democrat Chris Mann, 2,387 (28.3 percent).
State Treasurer: Republican Steven Johnson, 6,308 (75.6 percent); Democrat Juan C. Luengo, 1,777 (21.3 percent); Libertarian Eric Lund, 253 (3.0 percent).
Commissioner of Insurance: Republican Daniel Hawkins, 5,817 (70.1 percent); Democrat Dinah Sykes, 2,130 (25.7 percent); Libertarian Ric Koehn, 353 (4.3 percent).
State Board of Education, 7th District: Republican Alana McWilliams, 5,854 (70.7 percent); Democrat Ann Zimmerman, 2,417 (29.2 percent).

Kansas House

Republicans led both Kansas House races on the Barton County ballot.

In the 112th District, Republican Sherri Brantley had 5,433 votes (74.8 percent) to Democrat Rhys Froetschner's 1,816 (25.0 percent). Brantley led 1,724 to 850 in the early and advance vote.

In the 113th District, Republican Brett Fairchild had 914 votes (80.0 percent) to Democrat Jo Ann Roth's 228 (19.9 percent). Fairchild led 185 to 77 in the early vote. Write-in votes totaled 11 in the 112th District and 1 in the 113th.

Ballot questions

Voters were favoring the statewide constitutional amendment 6,619 to 1,637 (80.2 percent to 19.8 percent).

The Great Bend sales tax question was leading 2,509 to 1,576 (61.4 percent to 38.6 percent).

The Hoisington city sales tax question was ahead 483 to 373 (56.4 percent to 43.6 percent). The early and advance vote on that question was split, with 75 votes against and 74 in favor.

Local races

Three of the four Great Bend City Council races were contested:

Ward 1: Gary Parr, 509; Deklyn Craven, 299.
Ward 2: Kevyn Soupiset, 695; Judy Duryee, 427; Russell Snyder, 292.
Ward 3: Cody Harris, 550; Layne Leuenberger, 457.
Ward 4: Sue Cooper was unopposed, with 434 votes.

In Ellinwood, Richard E. Bowman had 590 votes, Jacque K. Isern 578 and Kirk Clawson 570 in the race for three council seats. In the two-seat Ellinwood Hospital District race, Justin Lear had 723 votes and Diann O'Neal had 712.

Hoisington council candidates Scott Fleming (Ward 1, 185 votes), Keith A. Kennon (Ward 2, 248) and James Morris (Ward 3, 159) were unopposed. No candidate filed in Ward 4, where 33 write-in votes were cast. In Olmitz, no one was on the ballot for mayor or council. Write-in votes totaled 13 for mayor and 8 for council.

All three county commissioners on the ballot were unopposed: Dale E. Maneth (1st District, 1,813 votes), Tricia Schlessiger (4th District, 1,653) and Stanley Behrends (5th District, 1,672). District Judge Carey Hipp was also unopposed, with 7,347 votes.