Sedgwick County Republicans Thursday night named a replacement for Crystal Dozier in the House District 83 race.
District precinct captains nominated former Park City Councilman David Robbins to take on Democratic state Rep. Henry Helgerson in the District 83 race.
Robbins replaces Dozier, an assistant professor of anthropology at Wichita State University.
Dozier had cited a medical hardship for having her name withdrawn from the ballot.
Dozier cited COVID-19 in explaining her hardship, but didn’t go into details about her medical history that would keep her from running for office and serving.
A 2015 law only allows a nominee to remove their name from the ballot because they face a medical hardship or moved out of state. A name also can be removed in case of death.
A candidate must send the secretary of state certification of the hardship signed by a medical doctor.
State Sen. Julia Lynn just asked for a medical hardship this week but was denied because her documents were not signed by a medical doctor.
Two years ago, Robbins ran against Helgerson and lost with 38% of the vote.
Nevetheless, the GOP threw enthusiastic support behind Robbins.
“David Robins offers voters of House District 83 a choice between a pragmatic and fiscally conservative Republican versus a tax-and-spend, entrenched liberal Democrat,” said Sedgwick County Republican Chairman Dalton Glasscock.
“Voters of House District 83 want a representative that will fight for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and one that is committed to safely re-opening Kansas.”
House District 83 is centered Sedgwick County. It went for Gov. Laura Kelly in 2018, Hillary Clinton in 2016, former gubernatorial candidate in Paul Davis in 2014 and Barack Obama in 2012.
“As a retired Kansas Army National Guard sergeant, former Wichita City Managers Police Review Board Member, and small business owner I know that Kansans are struggling, ” Robbins said in a statement.
“I am the law and order candidate, I am a staunch defender of your second amendment rights, and I will always work to defend your rights in Topeka by standing up to Gov. Laura Kelly.”
Helgerson has about $27,952 on hand going into the general election after raising $3,875 this year and about $11,000 for the two-year cycle.
