Mark Matthew Appears to Win Tight Republican Primary in Race for Cloud County Commissioner Seat

A Cloud County Voter Casts a Ballot on Primary Election Day on Tuesday, August 2nd
A Cloud County Voter Casts a Ballot on Primary Election Day on Tuesday, August 2nd

Former Concordia Mayor and current member of the Cloud County Community College Board of Trustees Mark Matthew appears to have edged out Bill Czapanskiy in the GOP race for the First District position on the Cloud County Commission, following the August 2nd Primary Election.

According to unofficial final results, Matthew netted 354 votes (53.15%) to Czapansky's 312 votes (46.85%).

Cloud County election officials report 39 provisional ballots and potentially seven mail-in ballots in the commissioner primary are left to be counted before a winner can be named in the primary.  Provisional voting provides individuals with the opportunity to vote even though questions exist on their eligibility.  The ballots are set aside for consideration by the board of county canvassers who certifies the election results.  Meanwhile, all mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received in the county election office by the close of business on Friday, August 5th.

Cloud County election officials plan to canvass county election results on Monday, August 15th.

The winner of the primary will face no Democratic opponent in the General Election.

Matthew, a Republican from Concordia, previously served one term on the Concordia City Commission including a two-year stint as Mayor.  He was unable to seek a second term in 2020 after he moved outside city limits.  Last fall, Matthew succeeded in his effort to win a position on the Cloud County Community College Board of Trustees as a write-in candidate.

Matthew told KNCK News he feels he can be successful in holding down two elected positions and give the utmost attention and dedication to both.

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Matthew also praised Czapanskiy, a Republican from Clyde, who has served on the Cloud County Commission since 2015.

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The First District Commissioner represents Starr, Colfax, Shirley, Nelson, Elk, North & South Lawrence, Sibley, Aurora and Oakland townships, as well as the 1st Ward of Concordia.

Matthew is pleased to have earned the support of Cloud County voters.

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Figures from the Cloud County Clerk's Office show 2,766 people voted Tuesday -- a turnout of 47.3 percent.

The First District seat was the only position on the commission up for election during this year's Republican Primary.

CLOUD COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS
Unofficial Results with 29 of 29 precincts reporting:

District 1 - Cloud County Commission
Bill Czapanskiy (R) - 312 votes (46.85%)
Mark Matthew (R) - 354 votes (53.15%)

District 64 - Kansas House of Representatives
Lewis (Bill) Bloom (R) - 361 votes (59.18%)
Suzi Carlson (R) - 207 votes (33.93%)
Brad Starnes (R) - 42 votes (6.89%)
Patricia Smetana (D) - 64 votes (100.0%)
 - Cloud County votes only

District 107 - Kansas House of Representatives
Susan Concannon (R) - 800 votes (59.79%)
Gerald Johnson (R) - 538 votes (40.21%)
 - Cloud County votes only

State Constitutional Abortion Amendment
Yes - 1,620 votes (60.02%)
No - 1,079 votes (39.98%)
 - Cloud County votes only