photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Ethan Spurling is pictured on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, during the Douglas County Democratic Party's watch party for the primary election.

Democrat Ethan Spurling has won the District 4 seat on the Douglas County Commission, defeating a seated commissioner in both the primary and general elections, where the commissioner ran as a write-in candidate.

Spurling secured the general election win against Gene Dorsey, a Democrat, who is currently representing District 4. District 4 includes a small portion of southeastern Lawrence, Eudora and Eudora Township, and the small portion of Wakarusa Township between Grant Township and the eastern edge of Lawrence.

In October, Dorsey announced after losing the primary that he would be giving it another shot to keep his seat on the County Commission with a write-in campaign, as the Journal-World reported.

Spurling received 7,514 votes, while the total number of write-in votes was 954 as of 9:50 p.m. Tuesday, according to unofficial election results.

Spurling told the Journal-World via text that he was deeply honored and grateful to the voters for placing their trust in him.

“Now that the election is behind us, I’m ready to move beyond the campaign and get to work,” Spurling said. “There are important challenges and opportunities ahead for Douglas County, and I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners, community partners and residents to move our county forward.”

Spurling was elected to the Frontenac City Council in 2015 and served for four years. After attending college at Pittsburg State University, he worked on Gov. Laura Kelly’s campaign and in her administration, including roles in the governor’s office and as director of government affairs at the Kansas Department of Revenue. He now works in policy and government relations for a Lawrence-based education nonprofit.

In a written statement shared with the Journal-World, Dorsey said his write-in campaign was a commitment to meaningful representation and to give his district’s residents a voice and not just the ones who voted in the primary.

“I understand this created a bit of a kerfuffle within the local Democratic Party apparatus, but I had to follow my core belief which is that the role of a county commissioner should be bipartisan and inclusive,” Dorsey said in the statement.

Dorsey said he’s tried to be objective and sensible along with doing the research, communicating with local residents and voting in a way that would serve District 4.

“Suffice to say, good governance is a very delicate and complex balancing act, but I’ve done my best,” Dorsey said. “And I’ve been honored to serve as a county commissioner for District 4.”

Spurling thanked Dorsey for his public service and the time he served on the County Commission along with those who voted for him in the general election.

“Thank you again for your trust and support, and I’m excited to get started,” Spurling said.