Former schoolteacher is GOP pick in 38th

Anthony Brown can turn his attention to preparing for his first legislative session after defeating Tom Marsh in Tuesday’s GOP primary for the 38th District House seat.

No Democrats filed to run for the seat, which had been held by Rob Boyer, an Olathe Republican.

“I’m just really relieved,” Brown said Tuesday night. “I put a lot of hard work into this race, and my family worked hard. But the biggest challenges are in the future.”

A Eudora resident, Brown, 35, beat out Tom Marsh, 58, of Olathe, by 455 votes. Brown received 2,158 votes.

Marsh could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Brown said Marsh was a strong opponent and the race was tough to win.

“I’m a political rookie with no experience, and it’s not easy to beat a strong, well-financed candidate,” Brown said.

He attributed his victory to being known in Eudora and help from his family. Brown said his six children canvassed Eudora on Monday.

“I think that put us over the top,” he said.

The 38th District had been represented by Boyer, who challenged Sen. Kay O’Connor, an Olathe Republican, for the 9th District Senate seat. District 38 includes the northeast portion of Douglas County and the western portion of Johnson County. Ten of the 35 precincts are in Douglas County.