By Emma Loura/Manhattan Mercury
Both Republican primaries for Manhattan-area seats in the Kansas House of Representatives went down to the wire Tuesday.
Angel Roeser and Megan Steele edged out their opponents by 28 votes each to represent Districts 67 and 51 respectively, setting them up for showdowns against Democratic opponents this fall.
Meanwhile U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, who represents District 1 in the U.S. House, won his primary against challenger Eric Bloom in a landslide.
The vote counts are not official yet, and some races may head to a recount.
Roeser tallied 636 votes against Kaleb James 608, earning her the GOP nomination for the District 67 race.
“It feels like a blessing,” Roeser told The Mercury. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done. My plan is to work even harder to make sure Kansas is represented by a candidate who will go to Topeka and make effective, influential changes.”
Roeser will face Democrat Kim Zito in the Nov. 5 general election for the District 67 seat, which generally covers western Manhattan and some areas to the north and south. Rep. Mike Dodson, R-Manhattan, currently represents District 67 but chose not to run for re-election.
Roeser is a business development strategist with Flint Hills Pain Management and a pillar chair for HYPE, the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce’s young professionals’ program. She graduated from K-State with a bachelor’s of science in human development and family sciences with a focus in personal financial planning.
Steele beat out Eli Kormanik 1,535 to 1,507 in the District 51 primary.
“I’m proud of my team for all their hard work,” Steele said. “I will continue to fight for citizens in District 51.
“I want to represent District 51, and the only way to do that is to partner with everyone in the district. I am honored to have received the support that I did.”
Steele will seek to replace retiring Republican Rep. Kenny Titus, R-Manhattan, for the District 51 — which encompasses Wamego, the east side of Manhattan, Wabaunsee County and portions of rural Pottawatomie County — as she runs again Democrat and former Manhattan mayor Linda Morse in November. Titus is running for the Kansas Senate.
Steele is a doctorate-level registered nurse who is listed as the school nurse at Flint Hills Christian School.
The only incumbent on Riley County voters’ ballots, Mann received more than 87% of the votes, defeating Bloom 56,281 to 7,960.
“My heartfelt thanks to all of the Kansans across the Big First District who voted for me today,” Mann said in a written statement on social media. “Our continued focus and efforts are on ensuring that we are doing everything possible to get our country back on track including electing Republican candidates in November.”
Mann will seek re-election to his seat against Democrat Paul Buskirk of Lawrence.
Mann is a K-State alumnus from Quinter who has represented the “Big First” district since 2021.
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