Wyandotte County voters on Tuesday chose incumbent Unified Government Mayor David Alvey and challenger Tyrone Garner to advance to the Nov. 2 general election.
Garner was the top vote-getter with 3,465 votes to Alvey’s 3,405 votes in final unofficial results for the mayoral primary. The other three challengers were Chris Steineger with 2,649 votes; Janice Witt with 1,762; and Daran Duffy with 963 votes.
Alvey first won election in 2017, defeating then-incumbent Mark Holland. He argued he deserves a second term because Wyandotte County government has implemented prudent public health strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic and has made economic development progress throughout the county.
His top priority is continued development, especially in the northeast, to broaden the county’s tax base.
“We’re very encouraged,” said campaign spokeswoman Juliana Alvey, David Alvey’s daughter. She said voters clearly see progress happening. “We’re excited to be able to continue to tell that story and to make the case for why he’s the best choice to lead Wyandotte County through the next four years.”
Garner, who could not be reached for comment, rose through the ranks of the Kansas City, Kansas, police department before retiring as a deputy chief in 2019. During the campaign, he said he would bring that police experience to county government and provide more engaged and inclusive leadership.
His platform includes tax relief, an audit of government and the Board of Public Utilities to streamline operations, reforming public safety and more equitable development and investment, especially in the county’s eastern neighborhoods.
In 2017, Alvey’s campaign got a boost from Wyandotte County firefighters, who opposed Holland. But this year, the firefighters have endorsed Garner because Alvey supported an outsider for fire chief several years ago.
Voters also chose candidates for commission seats, sheriff and the Board of Public Utilities. The top two vote-getters in each race advanced.
The unofficial results in Tuesday night’s primary showed a 14% voter turnout, with 12,313 votes cast.
UG Mayor- Chief Executive Officer
Tyrone Garner, 3,465 votes, 28%
David Alvey, incumbent, 3,405 votes, 28%
Chris Steineger, 2,649 votes, 22%
Janice Witt, 1,762 votes, 14%
Daran Duffy, 963 votes, 8%
Sheriff race
In the sheriff’s race, incumbent Don Ash did not seek re-election. He endorsed Daniel Soptic, a lieutenant colonel in the sheriff’s department. Soptic won the primary and Celisha Towers also advanced. Charles Bunnell was the third candidate in the race.
UG Commissioner race
In the UG Commissioner at-large District 2 race, incumbent Tom Burroughs and Claudine Sanders advanced. The other candidate was J. Michael Tiner-Mackey.
In the District 1 Commissioner race, incumbent Gayle Townsend and Melvin Williams advanced. Lisa Walker-Yeager was the third candidate.
In the District 5 Commission race, incumbent Mike Kane and Eleanor Morales Clark advanced. Latorua “Torrie” Chinn was also a candidate.
In the District 8 UG race, Andrew Davis and incumbent Jane Philbrook prevailed. The other candidates were Geoffrey Kump, Diana Whittington and Tscher “Cece” Manck.
Board of Public Utilities race
In the BPU At-Large position 1 race, incumbent Mary Gonzalez and Gwendolyn Bass advanced. Mary Gerlt was the third candidate.
In the BPU At-Large position 2 race, David Haley and Mark Gilstrap advanced. Incumbent Ryan Eidson, Kimberly Weaver and Dennis Grindel were the other candidates.
