By Stephen Koranda

A year from now, Kansans could be in the middle of the biggest primary battle for governor in recent history.

With Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer poised to finish the second term of Gov. Sam Brownback — likely to leave office soon for an ambassador job — candidates are lining up for the 2018 contest.

Washburn University political scientist Bob Beatty said the state has seen crowded primaries in the past, but it’s unusual to have so many high-profile candidates in one race. At least seven Republican candidates, including four with statewide political experience, are formally exploring the race.

The crowded field could create a challenge when it comes to fundraising, Beatty said, because many of the candidates will be courting the same donors.

“I’ve been telling people that if you’re a traditional Republican political donor, you may want to go on vacation for a little bit to escape your ringing phone,” he said.

Emporia State University political scientist Michael Smith thinks the field could slim if some candidates start hitting a wall on fundraising.

“If they can’t get any money they’ll probably step aside, because the reality of politics is you need some money to run a statewide campaign,” Smith said.

Smith suspects Secretary of State Kris Kobach has the most name recognition right now among Republican candidates, because he has been attracting attention on a national stage. That’s why fundraising will be critical for others such as Colyer and Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer, he said.

“A lot of Kansans don’t know who the lieutenant governor is,” Smith said. “A lot of them don’t know who the insurance commissioner is. The number one challenge is just to raise enough money to advertise so people have heard your name.”

In past years, when there were clear frontrunners, Beatty said there wasn’t much incentive for candidates to participate in public debates. The 2018 race could be different.

“One thing we may see, and this is good, in my opinion, is lots and lots of forums and debates,” Beatty said.

With so many candidates, it can seem easier to keep track of who isn’t running.

Smith jokes about a button in his office reading “Not Running for Governor of California in 2003,” a reference to the crowded field in that state.

“Maybe we need to make up some for Kansas in 2018,” he said.

The slate of Republican candidates who have appointed treasurers includes:

• Former state Sen. Jim Barnett, who also ran for governor in 2006
• Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer
• Wichita businessman Wink Hartman
• Secretary of State Kris Kobach
• Leawood businessman Patrick Kucera
• Former state Rep. Ed O’Malley
• Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer

The Democratic field includes:

• Olathe physician Arden Andersen
• Wichita high school student Jack Bergeson
• Former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer
• Former state Agriculture Secretary Josh Svaty

Others who have expressed interest or are rumored to be considering the race include:

• Republican Senate President Susan Wagle
• House Democratic Leader Jim Ward

Stephen Koranda is Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio, a partner in the Kansas News Service.

ASHLAND, Kan. (AP) — About five months after wildfires swept through Kansas, ranchers in the hardest-hit county have received the second installment of federal funds needed to replace fences.

Clark County ranchers will get about $18 million in federal funds for miles of fencing lost when fires burned about 425,000 acres in March. The county received half of the $18 million shortly after the fire but the rest was delayed by budget shortfalls.

Carla Wikoff, with the Kansas Farm Service Agency, says the rest of the funds for Clark County came in last week. A mile of fence, with labor, costs about $10,000 to replace.

About 711,000 acres burned in Kansas in early March, with most of the losses coming in what was called the Starbuck fire in southwestern Kansas.

EL DORADO, Kan. (AP) — El Dorado officials are looking for those involved in an unusual vandalism case at the city’s pool. .

El Dorado police say officers were called to the pool Sunday after the water was dyed a reddish-purple color.

The vandalism caused officials to shut down the pool on Sunday and Monday.

A note was left behind saying the dye wasn’t toxic, would not stain and should eventually filter out.

Police have classified the incident as vandalism, or criminal damage to property.

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a car theft and asking for help to identify suspects.

Just after 11p.m., a woman and parked her brown, gray Ford Fusion and was walking to her residence in Topeka, according to Lt. Steve Roth.

Two men with handguns approached her and demanded she drop her car keys. When she did, the men took the keys and drove away in the car.

The first suspect is described a mixed-race man in his 20s, 5-foot 10 and thin build He was wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. The second suspect is described as mixed-race and chubby. He wore a gray t-shirt with blue lettering and a circle on the front and blue jeans.

The numbers on the car tag are 328. The vehicle is missing the front passenger side hub cap.

Police say if you see the vehicle do not approach it. Call 911.

 

RILEY COUNTY – One person was injured in an accident just after 9:30p.m. Wednesday in Riley County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Ford Focus driven by Michael Graf-Dedonder, 26, St. George, was westbound on Kansas 18 four miles west of Manhattan.

The vehicle hit a pedestrian identified as James W. Davis, Georgia, who ran across the roadway southbound in the left lane.

Davis was transported to the hospital in Manhattan and later transferred to KU Medical Center.

Graf-Dedonder was not injured.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State Provost April Mason says she plans to resign next summer.

Mason announced Tuesday that her resignation will be effective June 30.

Mason, who has been provost and senior vice president since 2010, was a finalist for the chancellor position at the University of Nebraska in March 2016. She withdrew her name for that job to help Richard Myers’ transition when he was appointed Kansas State president in 2016.

She said that transition is nearly complete and now is a good time to move on.

Myers thanked Mason for her contribution to the university and said Kansas State will soon appoint a search committee to find her replacement.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate’s top Republican is calling on GOP Gov. Sam Brownback to give corrections officers at state prisons an immediate pay increase.

Senate President Susan Wagle of Wichita issued a statement Wednesday urging Brownback to take executive action. She toured the El Dorado Correctional Facility with hometown Republican Sen. Bruce Givens.

The Department of Corrections has confirmed three inmate disturbances at the El Dorado prison in May and June and a pair of inmate-on-inmate stabbings July 28. The prison is struggling with an annual turnover rate among uniformed officers of 46 percent. They are sometimes working 16-hours shifts because of staffing shortages.

Wagle said she would leave the size of the pay increase to Brownback and Corrections Secretary Joe Norwood. She said lawmakers could cover the cost next year.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on child sex crimes.

After a report of criminal activity to police earlier this year, officers executed a search warrant Tuesday at a residence in the 5500 Block of SW 31st Terrace in Topeka, according to Lt. John Sturgeon.

Officers arrested 29-year-old Anthony Satterwhite and 37-year-old Jason Whitaker. They are being held on requested charges of Aggravated Endangering a Child, Criminal Sodomy with a child greater than 14, under the age of 16 and Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child; Intercourse.

Whitaker also had an outstanding warrant, according to police. Satterwhite has a previous conviction for burglary, according to the

Kansas Department of Corrections.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — If a Kansas man had been convicted at trial of felony theft, one of his jurors might have been none other than the top official on the judicial panel that ultimately could have reviewed his appeal.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss reported for jury duty Tuesday with 51 other Shawnee County residents, an opinion he was drafting in his briefcase.

My jury duty today (at the Shawnee County Courthouse) is one I proudly share with all Kansas adults. Justice in KS. pic.twitter.com/8ctenKzNuN

— Chief Justice Nuss (@KSChiefJustice) August 8, 2017

Nuss wasn’t selected because the defendant pleaded avoided trial by pleading guilty.

Nuss said Wednesday he was prepared to be there as long as the process took, spending idle time checking his emails on his iPhone.

As a 15-year member of Kansas’ high court, Nuss has been called for jury duty three times but didn’t have to report for duty the first two times.

COWLEY COUNTY -Lewis Mitchell, the inmate who escaped from the Winfield Correctional Facility Tuesday night, has been located and is in custody, according to a KDOC official and Cowley County Emergency Communications.

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COWLEY COUNTY – Authorities are looking for an inmate missing from the Winfield Correctional Facility.

Officials report they last saw Lewis Mitchell at 9:30 Tuesday, according to Cowley County Communications.

Mitchell is 6-foot 1-inches tall and  weighs 210 lbs. He is 53 years old and has black/grey hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white state-issued t-shirt and blue jeans or grey sweatpants, possibly wearing a red hoodie. He should be considered dangerous.

Mitchell has previous convictions for theft, burglary, and aggravated indecent liberties with a victim under the age of 16, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.