photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

County Commissioner Patrick Kelly is pictured on Monday, July 13, 2026 during budget deliberations.

Incumbent Patrick Kelly, a Democrat, will keep his seat on the Douglas County Commission after running unopposed in Tuesday’s election.

This will be Kelly’s third term on the County Commission’s District 1. The district includes parts of northern, northwestern and central Lawrence. Kelly had received 9,918 votes as of 9:50 p.m. Tuesday, according to unofficial election results.

“For without a challenger in the general election, I think it’s just affirmation of what we heard from voters in the primary,” Kelly said. “I really appreciate their support. I’m very grateful for it.”

Kelly has lived in Douglas County since 1989 when he came to attend the University of Kansas. He worked at Lawrence Public Schools for 31 years as a teacher and building and district administrator before retiring in 2024. Before serving on the Douglas County Commission, he served on the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission and the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission.

Kelly said he has heard the concerns about affordability in the county, and he understands that voters want to make sure the community takes care of the most vulnerable populations and runs an efficient government. “It’s what I’ve heard for eight years, and what I’ll continue to work for,” Kelly said.

“I’m really excited to continue to do the work to make Douglas County even stronger,” Kelly said.