Mark Matthew Wins Tight Cloud County Commission GOP Race Following Final Canvass

Mark Matthew
Mark Matthew

Mark Matthew of Concordia has claimed the Republican nomination for the First District position on the Cloud County Commission after results from the August 2nd Primary Election were canvassed and declared official by the Board of Commissioners on Monday, August 15th.

Matthew won the GOP nomination by just 45 votes, recording 361 votes to 316 for two-term Incumbent Bill Czapanskiy.

There is no Democratic opponent on the ballot in the November 8th General Election.

The First District seat is the only position on the commission up for election this year.

Matthew said he decided to file for the Cloud County Commission because he wants to give back to the citizens of Cloud County, and support economic growth and improve living standards for the residents of the county.

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Matthew previously served one term on the Concordia City Commission.  Mark was elected to the seat in the fall of 2017.  In January 2019, Matthew was chosen as Mayor by his fellow commissioners.  He was re-appointed as Mayor on December 18, 2019.  Matthew 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 captured 321 votes in the race, easily surpassing all other vote-getters.  A total of 441 write-in votes were cast.

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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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 said his top priorities as a county commissioner will be addressing county infrastructure and economic development.

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The canvass board accepted 32 provisional ballots on Monday.

The Cloud County Clerk's Office also reports the county will be participating in a statewide recount of the vote rejecting an amendment to remove abortion rights from the state constitution, and Cloud County is one of 55 counties that have been asked to conduct a recount in the Republican race for Kansas Treasurer.  Senator Caryn Tyson of Parker currently trails Representative Steven Johnson of Assaria by 375 votes.  In Cloud County, Johnson received 1,082 votes to Tyson's 748.