Representative Paul Davis (right, D-Lawrence) and Larry Meeker speak to reporters at the Statehouse. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)Democrats claim a mix up at the secretary of state’s office resulted in one of their candidates for election being rejected. Democratic staff members say they turned in paperwork for Larry Meeker, from Lake Quivira, to run for state representative. But Meeker is not on the official list of candidates. Paul Davis, of Lawrence, is the top Democrat in the House. Davis believes staff members in Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s office lost the paperwork in the rush of candidate filings.
Staffers in the secretary of state’s office say they never received the documents. Democrats will make their case before the State Board of Objectors. That panel is made up of the secretary of state, attorney general and lieutenant governor - all Republicans.