Marina
As the filing and withdrawal deadline approaches for school board elections in Lyon County, key positions within USD 251 North Lyon County are seeing returning candidates, though some vacancies remain unfilled.
Incumbents Seek Re-Election in USD 251
Three incumbents have officially submitted their candidacy to retain their current positions:
| Candidate Name | District | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hamlin | District 2 | Position 5 | Filed for re-election |
| Rusty Heins | District 3 | Position 6 | Filed for re-election |
| Perry Petersen | District 1 | Position 4 | Filed for re-election |
Perry Petersen was the latest to file, submitting paperwork last Thursday, following filings by Josh Hamlin and Rusty Heins.
USD 252 Southern Lyon County Update
The USD 252 school board also has activity on its ballot, though with fewer contenders:
- Ryan Gasche was the first to file for Position 2 earlier this week.
- Melissa Carson is currently the only candidate running for Position 3.
- No candidate has filed yet for Position 6, leaving that seat without a contender.
Vacancy in Reading Mayor Race
In a notable development, Reading Mayor Malonne Davies has officially withdrawn from the race, which now has no declared candidates.
No August Primary Expected in Lyon County
At this stage, none of the races across Lyon County — including for the school board, City Council, City Commission, or mayor — meet the requirements for a primary election on August 5.
According to Kansas state law, a primary is triggered only when there are three times the number of candidates for a position, plus one additional. So far, no contest in the region qualifies for that threshold.
Important Dates and Voter Information
Lyon County Clerk Amie Jones is scheduled to provide election-related updates on KVOE’s 8:05 AM newscast this Friday. Voters and potential candidates should be aware that the filing and withdrawal deadline is set for noon on Monday.
With the deadline looming and incumbents stepping forward, the USD 251 and USD 252 school board elections are shaping up quietly.
The absence of competitive races means no August 5 primary, but the November election will still play a crucial role in shaping the future leadership of Lyon County. Interested candidates should act fast — the final deadline is noon Monday.