By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The Ellis County Republican Party will look to find a replacement for County Commissioner Dean Haselhorst on Thursday night after he stepped down earlier this month.
It is up to precinct committee members in his Third District to choose someone to fill his seat for the remainder of the year. Because Haselhorst was a registered Republican, it is left to the Republican Party to elect someone to fill the seat.
Ellis County Republican Party Chairman Dustin Roths told the county commission Monday there are only two precinct committee members in the Third District. They will be the only two members allowed to vote on Haselhorst’s replacement.
There are almost a dozen open precinct committee member positions. Members are elected, but the positions are often left vacant because no candidates file for election.
The person elected to the position must be approved by Gov. Laura Kelly.
They will serve on the commission for the rest of the year and the seat will be up for election in the November general election for a two-year term.
Thursday’s meeting starts with check-in at 7 p.m. with the election starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Strand Event Center in downtown Hays.