County Commissioner Gene Dorsey will face a primary challenge from Eudora resident Ethan Spurling in this year’s election.
The pair have both filed as Democrats and will face off in a primary election on Aug. 4. The winner will advance to the general election in November. No candidates from other parties have filed yet.
Dorsey has represented the county’s fourth district, which includes all of Eudora, since the commission expanded to five seats in 2024, He defeated now-Mayor Tim Bruce in that election. He said that experience was just enough for him to learn the complicated systems and processes that guide county governance. He wants to retain his seat to continue that work and build on what he’s learned.
Spurling said he offers a new perspective in the race, being a young, first-time homebuyer in Eudora. Spurling was born and raised in southeast Kansas and has worked in public policy most of his life, including in Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration. He served on the Frontenac City Council for four years.
Dorsey said some of the work he has focused most on during his time on the commission is supporting community partners. The county has helped fund and support Headquarters, which operates the statewide suicide prevention hotline based in Lawrence. Dorsey has also been a supporter of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center in Lawrence, which has undergone a tumultuous last year.
He lives in Lawrence but said he has worked hard to spend time in Eudora and represent people from the town. He has helped guide the bill working through the statehouse that would shift the library board to being elected. He also helped a developer locate land in Eudora that has since been zoned for industrial development.
“I’ve made it a point to try and prove to the Eudora citizens that I’m there to represent them,” he said.
Dorsey was the only county commissioner to vote against raising property taxes last year. He said that was his goal again this year.
Spurling recently moved to Eudora, where he bought his first home. He said his perspective in trying to pursue the American Dream has opened his eyes to ways the commission could help people in similar situations.
He said he supports the county’s work to fund social service organizations and would continue that work. He said there has been too much of a focus on tax incentives for big developers, and he would want to redirect that focus toward supporting residents.
“I would like to see maybe a different mentality, a mind shift on how we think about growth in Douglas County and who we’re giving those incentives to and who we’re not,” he said.
Even with the expansion to five commissioners, Spurling said there needs to be more representation on the County Commission from people outside Lawrence. Spurling said Dorsey has done a good job on the commission, but he wants to offer a fresh voice.
“I would hope that Eudora voters would rally behind me,” Spurling said. “I’m running because I think I offer a different perspective.”
The primary election is Aug. 4. Find detailed information on ways to vote at this link.
Dorsey invited the community to a listening session at 5:30 p.m. April 6 at the Gathering Place.
You can follow Spurling’s campaign on this Facebook page.
Reach reporter Cuyler Dunn at [email protected]
