WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Republicans are sweeping elections across the nation and across Kansas.
At first glance, there might not seem to be a huge difference at the state level. Republicans are keeping their majorities in the state board of education and the state legislature.
A political analyst said that by looking beyond the numbers, it’s possible to learn more how these results could change policy.
The Kansas State Board of Education still has a Republican majority in the state legislature, the super majority remains in both chambers of the state legislature.
“2024 is a good year across the board for Republicans, especially conservative Republicans,” said Neal Allen, an associate professor of Political Science at WSU.
The new school board members are expected to bring different policies.
“The replacement of retiring moderate Republicans to much more conservative Republicans might lead to a significant shift in some school board policies,” Allen said.
According to Allen, the new board could make significant policy changes for public schools.
“More top-down control of local school districts,” Allen said.
He said to expect a similar shift in power at the statehouse.
“There will be several Republicans in the state legislature who will call for another ‘Value Them Both’ style abortion ban amendment,” Allen said.
He said Republican leadership will likely shy away from the more controversial conservative initiatives, but the push will likely still be there.
On the local level, in the race for county commission, Stephanie Wise easily won her race in District 3 over Democrat Celeste Racette.
Incumbent Democrat Sarah Lopez lost in a closer race in district two to Republican Jeff Blubaugh.
Allen said having no Democrats on the Sedgwick County Commission isn’t surprising.
“That really doesn’t change much,” Allen said.
He said the county commission will continue to have a makeup of people who want to help large employers, and keep taxes low. He also said that Lopez was a Democrat who tended to lean moderate. Blubaugh’s record on Wichita’s city council was more conservative.