A Wichita panel has declined a challenge to the residency of a Sedgwick County Commission candidate. It involved a legitimate question as to the residency of commission candidate Sarah Lopez in the 2nd District, that KNSS Radio host John Whitmer says was brought to his attention by several precinct committee members.
"They were aware that as recently as February of this year, Ms Lopez still lived in Kechi." Whitmer said.
He submitted the request to the election commissioner which took several days to complete. The panel ruled Lopez, a Democrat, lives in the 2nd Commission District and can stay on the ballot challenging incumbent Michael O'Donnell.
"I'm satisfied with the results," Whitmer said. "The key here is that we protect the integrity of the election," he added.
Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett said it wasn't within the panel's authority to grant legal fees, but that it was appropriate to charge Whitmer $175 for the time it took investigators to research the complaint.
