Ronnie Metsker has begun his stint representing District 24 in the Kansas Legislature — an appointment it turns out he only narrowly nabbed.
Metsker won the post when GOP committee members met in December to choose a replacement for Rep. Ed O’Malley of Roeland Park, who resigned to take a job in Wichita a month after winning reelection.
But what was not widely known then was how close the election was. Metsker beat his only opponent, Mission Mayor Laura McConwell, 16-15 — with one precinct committee member’s vote unaccounted for, Johnson County Republican Chairman Scott Schwab revealed.
Metsker, now retired, is former chairman of YouthFront, a Westwood-based organization aimed at bringing youth into a growing relationship with Jesus. He lives in Overland Park and is married to long-time Shawnee Mission school board member Susan Metsker.
O’Malley told The Star in December that he supported McConwell.
“I believe Mayor McConwell will be a fantastic state representative,” he said. “I just think it’s a perfect fit for her to continue representing this community but at the state level.”
Schwab said the face-off wasn’t the “traditional conservative-moderate split.” McConwell — an attorney with political experience — and Metsker — a non-profit leader with a track record for supporting public education — were both “incredibly good candidates for that district,” Schwab said.
The 24th District covers Mission, part of Roeland Park and part of Overland Park.
Posted by Sara Stites
I hope Rev Ronnie enjoys his brief term. No way will he be re-elected by voters in the 24th in 2008. We will remember how the GOP put ideology over serving the constituents of the 24th and we will elect a moderate Democrat.
Posted by: | January 23, 2007 at 12:57 PM
How many more bait-and-switches can this district stand? As a Democrat, I plead temporary insanity for having voted for O'Malley this last time but I will not make the same mistake again. I'm back with the Dems and I hope that Andy Sandler tries again.
Posted by: | January 23, 2007 at 10:47 PM
Hallelujah, just what I've prayed for, to be represented in Topeka by Ned Flanders. Okily dokily.
Posted by: | January 24, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Was Arnold the pig not available?
Posted by: | March 16, 2007 at 03:05 AM