Democratic challenger Tom Holland used support from state education groups to upset incumbent Ralph Tanner in the fight for the 10th District Kansas House seat Tuesday.

Holland, a Baldwin Democrat, received 3,925 votes  or 54 percent  in the district, which includes southern Douglas County and northern Franklin County. Tanner, a Baldwin Republican who has served in the House since 1994, received 3,298 votes, or 46 percent.

The race was a highlight among contested Statehouse races in and around Douglas County.

“It was a big surprise,” Holland said of his win. “I feel totally overwhelmed and elated. I’m extremely grateful to the people of the 10th District for giving me a shot.”

Holland, 41, received support from Kansas Families for Public Education, the Johnson County-based group encouraging voters to back candidates willing to spend more on schools. The state Democratic Party also focused its attention on the race.

Tanner, 75, spent four years as chairman of the House Education Committee.

“It’s fairly clear to me that KNEA (Kansas National Education Assn.) won them a race, and that’s pretty evident,” Tanner said. “It’s also interesting the Democrat Party did five mailings against me. There’s no doubt they targeted my race.”

Tanner, a former Baker University president, said the district would have been better served having a veteran legislator during the tough budget times it faces.

“The job isn’t going to be easy. It’ll be interesting to see how a neophyte does with it. He’ll get his feet wet,” Tanner said of his opponent.

Holland, a political newcomer, owns a software consulting business. He also said support from state organizations probably made the difference in the race.

“My sense was it probably helped significantly, especially in Douglas County,” he said.

Tanner said he planned to retire and didn’t plan to run for public office in the future.

Other races

In the newly created 38th District, which includes the K-10 corridor from Johnson County to Douglas County, Rob Boyer, an Olathe Republican defeated Carlie Abel, a Democrat who serves on the Eudora School Board.

With 30 of 30 precincts reporting, Boyer received 4,684 votes or 55 percent compared to Abel’s 3,784 votes, or 45 percent.

“I’m thrilled about those results,” Boyer said. “It tells me we had a message that resonated, that message being that education is important.”

He said the heavily Republican district also helped his campaign.

First re-election

Lee Tafanelli, a Republican from Ozawkie, won his first re-election campaign in the 47th District, which includes all of Jefferson County and part of Atchison County. He garnered 3,908 votes, compared to 3,027 for his challenger, Bruce Hanson, a Democrat from Oskaloosa.

“We knew it was going to be a tough race,” Tafanelli said. “It’s difficult times and your first re-election effort makes it a little tougher.”

He said he thought his emphasis on work force training and economic development made a difference in the race.

“We talked the whole time that the focus has to be on finding ways to stabilize the economy and preserve jobs and grow the economy back,” he said.

In the 5th District, which includes much of Franklin County, Bill Feuerborn, a Garnett Democrat, won his fifth term in office over challenger Wes Plaisted, an Osawatomie Republican.

Feuerborn received 3,830 votes or 64 percent, compared to Plaisted’s 2,152 votes or 36 percent.

“I didn’t just start campaigning at election time,” Feuerborn said. “I’ve served eight years, and I’ve served a predominately Republican district before, and with the redistricting it’s a little more Republican.”

He said he thought his support of education and public safety helped him win re-election.

“No doubt this is going to be the toughest session of all, and a lot of us thought it couldn’t get any worse last session,” he predicted.

Tom Sloan, who represents Lawrence’s 45th District, won easily over Libertarian challenger Jeffrey Watts.

Uncontested races

Several area house races were uncontested for the general election. Eric Carter, a Republican and Overland Park attorney, won his first term in the House in the 48th District, which includes a portion of northeast Jefferson County.

Others who won without opposition:

 Ray Cox, R-Bonner Springs, who won his sixth term in the 39th District, which is in eastern Leavenworth County.

 Marti Crow, D-Leavenworth, who won her fourth term in the 41st District, which includes the city of Leavenworth.

 Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing, who won his sixth term in the 42nd District, which includes the city of Lansing.

 Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, who won her sixth term in the 44th District, which includes western Lawrence.

 Troy Findley, D-Lawrence, who won his third term in the 46th District, which includes eastern Lawrence.