Republican Rep. Jim Karleskint of Tonganoxie will serve on the House committee charged with writing a new school finance formula.

Republican Jim Karleskint held on to defeat Democrat Kara Reed in the 42nd District Kansas House race, keeping that seat in GOP hands.

Karleskint, a retired school superintendent, unseated incumbent Rep. Connie O’Brien in the Aug. 2 GOP primary, campaigning in favor of greater spending on K-12 education and against Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax policies. O’Brien had been considered a loyal supporter of Brownback’s.

Unofficial returns Tuesday night showed Karleskint winning the race, 58-42 percent.

Reed, a Tonganoxie city councilwoman, was thought to have more name recognition, especially in the Leavenworth County portion of the district. But the district has leaned toward Republicans in recent election cycles.