By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Marcy McClelland is the Republican candidate for Ellis County Commission District 1.

McClelland defeated Lyle Johnston, R-Ellis, by a vote of 456 to 293, 61 percent to 39 percent, in Tuesday’s primary election.

The 70-year-old Hays resident has never held political office before:

“I just can’t believe it,” she said Tuesday night after checking the unofficial results at the Ellis County courthouse. “I want to thank everybody who voted for me.”

Since her retirement in 2006 from Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, McClelland has been regularly attending Ellis County Commission meetings.

McClelland is a member of the Ellis County Joint Planning Commission and Ellis County Farm Bureau board. She owns farm ground northwest of Hays, which is in the Buckeye Wind Project.

McClelland took a break from hosting a party for her supporters at the American Legion to check the returns.

“We’re going to celebrate a little more and then I’m ready to go to work for the county,” she said.

“I would like to see some of these projects finished that have been in the works–the courthouse remodel, the new administration center, the new EMS/Rural Fire building.  Let’s hope we can put them together to everyone’s satisfaction.”

McClelland admitted she’s a “little bit nervous” about the road ahead, but added she “appreciates a challenge.”

Incumbent Swede Holmgren, R-Ellis, did not run for re-election.  There was no Democratic candidate for the primary election.

Voter turnout was 17.43% according to Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus.  Results are unofficial until canvassed Monday morning by the Ellis County Commission.

The general election is November 4.