(Updated to include comment from an objector)
Two objections have been lodged against Republican Kyler Sweely’s candidacy for the 102nd House District seat with the secretary of state’s office.
Dawn Varney and Robin Jackson are challenging Sweely’s candidacy to run for the Legislature, arguing that he doesn’t live at his stated residence.
Sweely filed to run in the district now represented by Democratic state Rep. Jason Probst of Hutchinson.
Sweely listed his address as 306th E. Seventh Ave. in Hutchinson when he filed to run for the seat.
Sweely served five years as a sergeant in the Army. He deployed twice, once to the Middle East and again to eastern Europe. He would face Republican Tyson Thrall in the primary.
Sweely said in an email that the claims against him are false.
A complaint filed by Varney alleges that Sweely does not live in Hutchinson.
“The house at the address he stated is his residence is not occupied. I cannot find any evidence that Mr. Sweely has EVER lived in District 102,” Varney stated.
“I allege this is election fraud and strongly urge your department to make a formal investigation BEFORE the primary election August 6, 2024.”
Varney included pictures of the house at 306th E. Seventh Ave. in Hutchinson, which included a sign that said “private property, no trespassing.”
Varney said Sweely registered to vote and filed to run for the office on the same day, Friday, May 31, 2024.
A similar complaint was filed by Jackson, the secretary of the Reno County Republican Party.
Varney said she was a Republican precinct committeewoman who “mildly” participates in local Republican politics. Varney said she lives in Hutchinson but not the 102nd District.
Varney said she she is friends with Sweely’s primary opponent and his family, but added that she has “no interest in the specific matter, except truth.”
“I have no interest in the race except election integrity,” she said in an email.
Complaints about residency are heard by the State Objections Board, which is comprised of the lieutenant governor, the secretary of state and the attorney general.
“I was just going to let the primary play out, but I think an objection is appropriate,” Probst said in an interview.
“If we have people who are being air dropped into a district to run because they can’t find a local candidate, I think it’s completely appropriate to make an objection in that case.”
Probst has been in the House since 2017. Probst edged past Republican John Whitesel by 31 votes in 2020 and beat him again with 52% of the vote in 2022.
The district’s voter composition is 35.3% Republican, 24.2% Democratic and 38.8% unaffiliated.
Gov. Laura Kelly carried this district with 52% of the vote in the 2022 governor’s race, while Republican Derek Schmidt received 42.2% of the vote.
