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Johnson County chairman Ed Eilert says he will not seek re-election

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Johnson County Commission Chairman Ed Eilert announced today he will not run for another term in this fall’s election.

Eilert, who has served as chairman since 2011, sent an email Monday making his decision public, thanking the county’s volunteers for “all the different ways that make our county a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” as well as county employees and the voters.

Eilert, 82, has been an elected official in Johnson County since 1977, when he began serving on the Overland Park City Council.

He served as that city’s mayor from 1981 through 2005, then was elected to a seat on the county commission.

He was elected chair of the commission in 2010 and has since been re-elected twice.

“After the first meeting in January, 2023, I will miss working with our excellent county staff and their committeeman to quality decision making in government and our elected officials who share that commitment. What they do is important to provide good government for all of us,” Eilert said in his email.

The announcement ended widespread speculation that he would not run again.

So far, four people have filed to run for the spot in this August’s primary.

They include two current commissioners, Shirley Allenbrand and Charlotte O’Hara, along with current Roeland Park Mayor Mike Kelly and former state Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer.

Former Commissioner Mike Brown initially filed to run for the chairmanship late last year but then withdrew so he could run for Secretary of State.

About the author

Roxie Hammill
Roxie Hammill

Roxie Hammill is a freelance journalist who reports frequently for the Post and other Kansas City area publications. You can reach her at roxieham@gmail.com.

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