By Chad Frey
Newton Kansan
Cheers rang out at the Harvey County Courthouse Aug. 6 as the largest watch party at the courthouse in years read the final vote totals of the Republican primary for county treasurer.
Supporters of Amy Perkins were smiling after she dispatched incumbent Becky Fields in the largest landslide in a contested race that night, 2,199 to 899. Perkins carried more than 70 percent of the vote.
“This is kind of unbelievable, I can’t believe that I won, honestly,” Perkins said. “It was a lot of work. We did a lot of doors knocking in a lot of hot weather. People were so nice, and receptive and obviously the message got out.”
The job is not done, as the general election in November still looms. This election was about who would be on that ballot. Aug. 6 results are not certified or official, the county commission will review 56 provisional ballots and canvas the election on Aug. 13.
Mark Llamas of Newton, unopposed in the Democratic primary, will face Perkins in the general election.
“I need to meet Mark and just talk to him and see what he brings,” Perkins said. “One of us is going to win Nov. 5.”
Fields was not the only incumbent facing a challenge Aug. 6, as incumbent Don Schroeder of Hesston defeated Kevin Pouch of Newton, 680 to 492 for the Republican nomination for Harvey County Commission District No. 3. Schroeder will face Democrat Richard D. McDiffett in the general election. McDiffett was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Prior to the primary election on Aug. 6 one thing was known, Harvey County would seat at least one new commissioner on the three member Harvey County Commission.
Randy Hague announced prior to the election filing deadline he would retire his post. Step one on finding a new commissioner became nearly complete on Aug. 6, as Terry Scott of Newton defeated Lance Gormley of Newton, 559 to 449 for the Republican nomination for County Commission District No. 2.
She will face Democrat Mark Jenkins of North Newton in the general election. Jenkins was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
