Diehl, Berens, sports complex earn victories
One new face will be on the Ellis County Commission next year.
Glenn Diehl, Republican challenger in District 2, defeated two-term incumbent Dennis Pfannenstiel, 1,901 to 1,699 votes.
The results are unofficial until canvassed Monday.
There are at least 300 provisional ballots to be considered during canvassing, according to Clerk Alberta Klaus; however, Pfannenstiel said he didn't think it would be enough to overcome the deficit.
Meanwhile, in District 3, Democrat Vernon Berens was elected to his fourth term on the commission, defeating Republican challenger John Schmeidler, 2,326 to 1,618.
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Two of the three special questions on the ballots in Ellis County received approval Tuesday night.
A half-cent sales tax to fund the construction and maintenance of a sports complex was approved 4,596 "yes" votes to 3,683 "no" votes.
Victoria residents approved a 1 percent sales tax to fund public service improvements including the municipal water system by a vote of 329-203.
However, a $5 million bond issue to fund a move of Ellis County administrative offices to the Hadley Center failed. The tally was 7,512 "no" votes to 4,021 "yes" votes.
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Ellis County remained a red county after unofficial results were released by the clerk's office Tuesday night.
Arizona Sen. John McCain won 7,998 votes to 3,894 votes for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.
McCain is projected to win Kansas, but Obama is projected to win the election.
Other winners in contested races in the county include:
Pat Roberts, Jerry Moran and Janis Lee
For a complete recap of northwest Kansas races, see Wednesday's Hays Daily News and check HDNews.net.