In the primary elections held on Aug. 6, most Kansas state senate races were unopposed. In the few contested primaries, the incumbents held serve and are expected to return to the statehouse.

In northeast KCK’s District 4 Democratic primary, David Haley held off a spirited challenge from community organizer Ephren Taylor III, 58-42 percent. Taylor, just 20 years old, emphasized his youth as a virtue and campaigned from Haley’s left. Haley, holder of the 4th district seat since 2001, is unopposed in the November general election.

In the District 5 Republican primary, Jeff Klemp defeated Echo Van Meteren, 59-41 percent. Klemp advances to challenge incumbent Jeff Pittman, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary. All three candidates hail from Leavenworth, though the district also covers northwest Wyandotte County.

In District 9, which includes Bonner Springs and Edwardsville in Wyandotte County, along with Eudora, Tonganoxie, and Baldwin, Democrat Norman Mallicoat, a retired telecom engineer from Olathe, was unopposed in the primary.

He will face incumbent Republican Beverly Gossage in November. Gossage, a Eudora insurance agent, defeated challenger Bryan Zesiger, 75-25 percent. Zesiger, a winemaker living near Lawrence, emphasized his military service in his campaign.

In southeast KCK’s District 6, longtime senator Pat Pettey was unopposed in the Democratic primary. She will face Republican Tabitha Burt, also unopposed in her primary, in November.