Two years after he lost a narrow primary election to represent the 47th District in the Kansas House of Representatives, Democrat Bruce Hanson has decided to try again.

Hanson filed to challenge Republican incumbent Lee Tafanelli in this fall’s election. The district covers all of Jefferson County and parts of Atchison County.

Announcing his candidacy, Hanson decried the work of the 2002 Legislature, which went into extra sessions wrestling with state budget shortfalls.

“I’d like the opportunity to help fix the mess,” Hanson said.

Hanson first ran for the seat in 2000, losing the Democratic primary to Lana Leach by nine votes. The two were initially tied at 348 votes apiece following election night, but a canvass of the votes determined Leach had won, 361-352.

Other area candidates:

Democratic Rep. Barbara Ballard has filed to retain her 44th District seat in central and west Lawrence. She had no challengers as of Monday.

Republican Melissa Boisen has filed for the 45th District seat now held by fellow Republican Tom Sloan, who has filed for re-election. The post represents the western part of Douglas County, including much of west Lawrence.

Democratic incumbent Troy Findley is the only candidate to file for the 46th District seat, which covers part of central and all of east Lawrence.

Democrat Tom Holland will run for the 10th District seat now held by Republican Ralph Tanner of Baldwin, who has not filed. The district represents southeast Douglas County and north-central Franklin County.

The filing deadline is noon Monday. The primary election will be Aug. 6. The general election will be Nov. 5.