In this file photo from June 2015, Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, right, discusses tax issues on the floor of the Kansas Senate.

Democratic Sen. Marci Francisco, of Lawrence, was re-elected Tuesday night by nearly a two-to-one margin over her Republican challenger Meredith Richey, of Perry.

Unofficial election results from the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office showed Francisco ahead late Tuesday night by more than 11,000 votes, with 15 of 16 precincts reporting.

Richey, who was new to Kansas politics, had been a conservative activist in California in the early 2000s, leading campaigns against same-sex marriage and other gay rights issues.

Francisco was first elected to the Senate in 2004. She currently serves as ranking Democrat on the Senate Utilities, Natural Resources and Agriculture committees, among others.