Huelskamp Locks up U.S. House ‘Big First’ GOP Primary

Kansas State Senator Tim Huelskamp of Fowler has survived the Republican primary in his quest for a seat in the U.S. House and will advance on to the general election in November. Huelskamp moved a step closer to Washington D.C. after defeating State Senator Jim Barnett, Tracey Mann, and three other Republican candidates.

Going into Tuesday’s primary, the latest poll had Huelskamp, Barnett, and Mann all knotted up at 24% apiece. However, it was Huelskamp who came out on top with 35% of the vote. Barnett had 25%, while Mann was just above 20%.

Huelskamp had to fight off a mass set of prank phone calls made all over the ‘Big First’ by an unknown person or persons on election eve who posed as Huelskamp’s campaign misrepresenting Huelskamp’s views in an attempt to harm his chances. Huelskamp’s campaign said on Tuesday afternoon that they had turned the matter over to the Kansas Secretary of State.

Huelskamp will face Democrat Alan Jilka in the general election in November. Jilka was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Huelskamp will be heavily favored to win the seat.

In Seward County Huelskamp dominated the vote with 62%. Next in line was Barnett who recieved 19%. Mann had 9%.