Republican Adam Thomas, a candidate in Kansas House District 26, had a rough month until this afternoon. After being charged with election perjury by the Republican Attorney in Johnson County Kansas, arrested for his false claims, Thomas found solace in the Kansas Objection Board - who heard a hearing as to whether or not the fact he had been arrested and charged, and probably didn't live in the district, were enough to remove him from the ballot. Representatives of the Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State - all Republican - apparently weren't deterred by a Republican candidate facing charges in Johnson County, deciding that it was A-OK he remain on the ballot.
From Sunflower State Journal:
Democratic state Rep. Vic Miller, who represented Mitchell in the case, wanted Swisher to testify at Objections Board hearing. [Jacob] Swisher made a brief appearance at the hearing before it started and left.
Thomas did not testify at the hearing.
Miller contended that Thomas never lived at the three-bedroom duplex on 152nd Street. Miller presented copies of affidavits from a neighbor at the duplex as well as its owner indicating that Thomas didn’t live at the duplex.
One affidavit signed by Cody Sprouse, who resides next door to where Thomas said he lived, said he never observed a female adult or children living there.
Another affidavit signed by the duplex owner — Melissa Brook Macdonald — said that neither Adam Thomas nor his wife were duplex tenants.
During a routine maintenance inspection on June 11, 2018, the duplex owner said she didn’t notice evidence of any occupants other than the tenant.
Miller has said he would challenge the candidacy in court if the state Objections Board denies the residency challenge.
Vic Miller, a Democratic House member and attorney, noted to the board he would of course be willing to take the next step to court. Miller had argued that the absence of Adam Thomas, as well as the lack of the individual who was the signed tenant at the residence claimed, Jacob Swisher.
Jacob Swisher had appeared in the building before the hearing, but left before he could be asked to testify; causing Miller to contend that he should be forced to answer questions: “Because there is no way he will get in here and perjure himself for a friend, I expect that’s why he left.”
While Adam Thomas will stay on the ballot, he still faces charges in Johnson County for election perjury, as he is currently out on $2,500 bail.
He will be facing Deann Mitchell in the fall election.