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Kansas State Senate elections, 2012

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Kansas's 2012 elections
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Kansas State Senate elections, 2012
Majority control •Campaign contributions
Qualifications •Term limits •Impact of Redistricting
State Legislative Election Results
List of candidates
District 1 •District 2 •District 3 •District 4 •District 5 •District 6 •District 7 •District 8 •District 9 •District 10 •District 11 •District 12 •District 13 •District 14 •District 15 •District 16 •District 17 •District 18 •District 19 •District 20 •District 21 •District 22•District 23 •District 24 •District 25 •District 26 •District 27 •District 28 •District 29 •District 30 •District 31 •District 32•District 33 •District 34 •District 35 •District 36 •District 37 •District 38 •District 39 •District 40
Kansas State Senate •2012 Kansas House Elections
State legislative elections in 2012

Elections for the office ofKansas State Senate were held inKansas onNovember 6, 2012. Atotal of 40 seats were up for election.

The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was June 11, 2012. The date was originally set for June 1, but a delay in the redistricting process caused the state to push back the filing deadline.[1] The primary Election Day was August 7, 2012.

The 2012 elections gained national attention as conservative members of the Republican Party vowed to defeat more moderate GOP legislators in an attempt to move the entire state in a more conservative direction.[2][3] Thus, the primaries in Kansas took on great importance as many elections would be decided prior to the general election.[4][5] Leading the movement for the conservative wing was Gov.Sam Brownback, while former Gov. Bill Graves has worked to rally moderates.[6] Results from the August 7 primary election left a total of 9 incumbent senators - all Republicans - defeated. Eight of those defeated incumbents had been targeted by conservatives for being too moderate.[7]

See also:Kansas House of Representatives elections, 2012 andState legislative elections, 2012

Majority control

See also:Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Republican Party held the majority in theKansas State Senate:

Kansas State Senate
PartyAs of November 5, 2012After the 2012 Election
    Democratic Party89
    Republican Party3231
Total4040


Incumbents retiring

A total of four incumbents did not run for re-election in 2012. Those incumbents were:

NamePartyCurrent Office
Terrie HuntingtonEnds.pngRepublicanSenate District 7
John VratilEnds.pngRepublicanSenate District 11
Mark TaddikenEnds.pngRepublicanSenate District 21
Ray MerrickEnds.pngRepublicanSenate District 37
Map of Kansas Senate Districts with less than 10% party registration differential before and after the2010 redistricting. A total of 7 legislative districts meet the criteria after 2010.

Impact of redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Kansas

TheKansas Legislature is responsible for legislative, congressional, and state Board of Education redistricting. TheHouse andSenate each appoint members to a committee to develop plans which are then presented to the respective chambers for consideration. Kansas redistricting is based on figures adjusted by the secretary of state. These figures are adjusted for the student, prison, and military populations using state survey data. Redistricting plans are subject to mandatory judicial review by theKansas Supreme Court.[8][9]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Kansas' population rose from 2.69 million to 2.85 million between 2000 and 2010, with most of the state's population clustered in the east (near Kansas City, Topeka, and Lawrence) and around Wichita.[10] Despite this overall growth of 6.1 percent, seventy-seven of Kansas' 105 counties experienced a decrease in population over the course of the decade. Most of the growth was in urban and suburban areas, and minority populations increased.[11]

The legislature did not approve new maps by the legal deadline, so the map-making process went to the courts. The court-drawn map created four Senate districts with two incumbents and four open seats. Three of the new open seats were in rural districts, and one was in urbanizing Johnson County.[12]

In Kansas, there were seven state senate districts where the partisan registration of Democratic and Republican voters was less than 10 percentage points apart. These districts would be considered "competitive" when looked at strictly with respect to vote party affiliation. The seven districts in Kansas were districts 2, 3, 5, 13, 19, 25, and 28.

Targeted incumbents

See also:Kansas Game Changers

Kansas Chamber of Commerce

The Kansas Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee targeted eight Republican incumbents for defeat, donating $1,000 and making in-kind contributions to eight Republican challengers. It saw the eight incumbents as being impediments to private sector job creation.

Chamber Political Action Chairman Ivan Crossland stated, “Bloated state budgets, increased taxes and growing union and trial lawyer support are not the ingredients for private sector job creation. The candidates we have chosen to support are willing to do what it takes to turn things around in Kansas.”[13]

The eight targeted Republican incumbents were:

List of candidates

District 1

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartySteve Lukert: 14,982
Republican PartyDennis D. Pyle: 15,378Green check mark transparent.png

District 2

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyMarci Francisco: 21,843Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyRonald B. Ellis: 11,996

District 3

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
  • Tom HollandApproveda - Incumbent Holland first assumed office in 2008.
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyTom Holland: 16,678Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyAnthony Brown: 14,658

District 4

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
  • David HaleyApproveda - Incumbent Haley first assumed office in 2001.
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyDavid Haley: 17,428Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyJoe Ward: 4,394

District 5

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyKelly Kultala: 12,040
Republican PartySteve Fitzgerald: 12,803Green check mark transparent.png

District 6

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyPat Pettey: 11,637Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyChris Steineger: 7,106

District 7

Note: IncumbentTerrie Huntington did not seek re-election.

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyKyle B. Russell: 18,334
Republican PartyKay Wolf: 20,738Green check mark transparent.png

District 8

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyLisa Johnston: 16,398
Republican PartyJim Denning: 19,484Green check mark transparent.png

District 9

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:
  • Julia LynnApproveda - Incumbent Lynn first assumed office in 2007.

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyMerlin D. Ring: 10,957
Republican PartyJulia Lynn: 19,346Green check mark transparent.png

District 10

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyMark J. Greene: 13,900
Republican PartyMary Pilcher-Cook: 19,392Green check mark transparent.png

District 11

Note: IncumbentJohn Vratil did not seek re-election.

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyMichael F. Delaney: 13,985
Republican PartyJeff Melcher: 23,565Green check mark transparent.png

District 12

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyDenise Cassells: 9,737
Republican PartyCaryn Tyson: 18,720Green check mark transparent.png

District 13

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyGene Garman: 10,805
Republican PartyJacob LaTurner: 16,621Green check mark transparent.png

District 14

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyEden Fuson: 8,349
Republican PartyForrest Knox: 21,790Green check mark transparent.png

District 15

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:
  • Jeff King: 5,668Approveda - Incumbent King first assumed office in 2011.
  • Dwayne Umbarger: 4,224 - Incumbent Umbarger first assumed office in 1996.

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartyJeff King: 21,401Green check mark transparent.png

District 16

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:
  • Ty MastersonApproveda - Incumbent Masterson first assumed office in 2009.

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartyTy Masterson: 23,354Green check mark transparent.png

District 17

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartySusan K. Moran: 8,285
Republican PartyJeff Longbine: 12,831Green check mark transparent.png

District 18

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
  • Laura KellyApproveda - Incumbent Kelly first assumed office in 2005.
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyLaura Kelly: 14,813Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyDick Barta: 13,833

District 19

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyAnthony Hensley: 16,543Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyCasey W. Moore: 11,756

District 20

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:
Libertarian PartyLibertarian candidates:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyTerry L. Crowder: 10,071
Republican PartyVicki L. Schmidt: 21,359Green check mark transparent.png
Libertarian PartyClarence Hinchey: 2,033

District 21

Note: IncumbentMark Taddiken did not seek re-election.

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyJuanita Roy: 15,441
Republican PartyGreg Smith: 17,527Green check mark transparent.png

District 22

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyTom Hawk: 12,851Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyBob Reader: 12,469

District 23

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:
  • Rob OlsonApproveda - Incumbent Olson first assumed office in 2011.

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartySteve Wright: 11,098
Republican PartyRob Olson: 18,859Green check mark transparent.png

District 24

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyJanice Norlin: 11,650
Republican PartyTom Arpke: 15,112Green check mark transparent.png

District 25

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:
Libertarian PartyLibertarian candidates:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyTimothy L. Snow: 9,063
Republican PartyMichael O'Donnell: 9,326Green check mark transparent.png
Libertarian PartyDave Thomas: 1,607

District 26

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartyDan Kerschen: 20,593Green check mark transparent.png

District 27

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyDiana Cubbage: 10,922
Republican PartyLeslie D. "Les" Donovan Sr.: 20,773Green check mark transparent.png

District 28

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:
  • Mike PetersenApproveda - Incumbent Petersen first assumed office in 2005.

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyKeith Humphrey: 8,852
Republican PartyMike Petersen: 9,853Green check mark transparent.png

District 29

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:
Libertarian PartyLibertarian candidates:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyOletha Faust-Goudeau: 11,720Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyKenya Cox: 5,570
Libertarian PartyCarl Kramer: 1,120

District 30

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:
  • Susan WagleApproveda - Incumbent Wagle first assumed office in 2001.

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyPatrick K. Cantwell: 10,527
Republican PartySusan Wagle: 16,700Green check mark transparent.png

District 31

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartyCarolyn McGinn: 24,183Green check mark transparent.png

District 32

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartySteve E. Abrams: 20,981Green check mark transparent.png

District 33

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartyMitch Holmes: 23,049Green check mark transparent.png

District 34

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:
  • Terry BruceApproveda - Incumbent Bruce first assumed office in 2005.

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyMark R. Treaster: 10,711
Republican PartyTerry Bruce: 16,007Green check mark transparent.png

District 35

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:
Libertarian PartyLibertarian candidates:

Note: Bryant's name appears twice because he filed as a Republican for the primary election and as a Libertarian for the general election.[14]

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartyJay Scott Emler: 21,063Green check mark transparent.png
Libertarian PartyJesse Bryant: 6,381

District 36

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyMarquis Clark: 5,371
Republican PartyElaine Bowers: 26,051Green check mark transparent.png

District 37

Note: IncumbentRay Merrick did not seek re-election. Instead, he ran for theKansas House of Representatives inDistrict 27.

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartyPat Apple: 27,888Green check mark transparent.png

District 38

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:
  • Garrett LoveApproveda - Incumbent Love first assumed office in 2011.

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyJohnny Dunlap II: 4,033
Republican PartyGarrett Love: 13,539Green check mark transparent.png

District 39

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartyLarry Powell: 16,672Green check mark transparent.png

District 40

Democratic PartyAugust 7 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyAugust 7 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyAllen Clark Schmidt: 10,796
Republican PartyRalph Ostmeyer: 21,443Green check mark transparent.png

External links

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑fec.gov - 2012 Primary Dates and Candidate Filing Deadlines
  2. ↑The New York Times, "In Kansas, Conservatives Vilify Fellow Republicans," August 5, 2012
  3. ↑The Wall Street Journal, "Centrist Republicans Feel the Heat in Kansas Primaries," July 19, 2012
  4. ↑National Review, "The Battle for Kansas," July 20, 2012
  5. ↑National Public Radio, "Kansas GOP Campaigns To Exile Moderates," August 5, 2012
  6. ↑The Republic, "Brownback and Graves, both Republicans, take sides in Kansas Senate primary battles," July 12, 2012
  7. ↑foxnews.com, "Conservatives win big in Kan. Senate primaries," August 08, 2012
  8. ↑Kansas Legislative Research Dept. "Kansas Legislator Briefing Book 2010"
  9. ↑Stateline.org, "Where to count prisoners poses redistricting dilemma," March 21, 2011
  10. ↑U.S. Census Bureau, "2010 Census: Kansas Profile," accessed August 24, 2012
  11. ↑USA Today, "Kansas' urban areas grow at expense of rural counties," March 3, 2011
  12. ↑The Associated Press, "Summary of judges' order on Kan. Redistricting," June 8, 2012
  13. ↑Lawrence Journal World, "Business lobby, aided by $36,000 from Koch Industries, targets eight Republican incumbents in state Senate for defeat," January 10, 2012
  14. ↑Wichita Eagle, "Libertarians post candidates for November election," July 1, 2012


Current members of theKansas State Senate
Leadership
Senate President:Ty Masterson
Majority Leader:Chase Blasi
Minority Leader:Dinah Sykes
Senators
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
Vacant
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
Republican Party (31)
Democratic Party (8)
Vacancies (1)


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