By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
State Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, won reelection Tuesday night by a wide margin.
Wasinger, the incumbent, won over Democratic challenger Melanie McMillan 5,349 to 3,057 votes.
"I think it went well for me. I was grateful to get the percentages that I did," Wasinger said. "I think all of the bad things they said about me, 'I do nothing. I do nothing.' But I have worked really hard for the district, and I will continue to do that."
Wasinger said she hopes to serve on the Rules and Regulations Committee again this legislative session.
She said she wanted to eliminate costly rules and regulations that "don't make any sense."
"I will continue to work for all the things that the district has asked me to help them with," Wasinger said. "I help everyone who calls me, regardless of their party, and I'm looking forward to two more years."
She added, "I just am very grateful for all the people who voted for me and believe in me, and I will continue to work for them as hard as I can and be open to taking care of constituents, whatever their needs are."
Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling said about 175 provisional ballots had been received as of election night. They will have to be reviewed, and official results will not be available until after the canvass.
Mail ballots had to be postmarked by Election Day and must reach the clerk's office by Friday. Those ballots also will be counted during the canvass.