photo by: Contributed

Gene Dorsey (left) and Ethan Spurling (right).

After coming out on top in the primary, a newcomer will be facing off against the incumbent Douglas County commissioner for District 4, who is running a write-in campaign.

While Ethan Spurling, a Democrat, is running unopposed in the general election, incumbent County Commissioner Gene Dorsey – currently representing District 4 – is giving it another shot to keep his spot on the Commission with a write-in campaign, as the Journal-World reported. The campaign comes after Dorsey lost to Spurling in the primary election.

District 4 includes a small portion of southeastern Lawrence, Eudora and Eudora Township, and the small portion of Wakarusa Township located between Grant Township and the eastern edge of Lawrence.

The Journal-World asked both candidates to respond to a series of questions about their stances on issues and their backgrounds.

ETHAN SPURLING

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.

Spurling said that there isn’t always a one size fits all solution regarding how the county creates public policy and addresses needs. However, he wants to make sure the residents of District 4 have a strong voice in county government while keeping the broader needs of Douglas County in mind.

“When there are differences, I’ll look for common ground and work toward practical solutions that benefit both my district and the county as a whole,” Spurling said. “Ultimately, I’ll strive to be the kind of commissioner who listens to the people I represent, understands the unique needs of our different communities, and works to move Douglas County and our communities forward together.”

During the most recent budget cycle, county commissioners discussed the idea of reducing county support from organizations that may no longer need the same level of funding provided in the past. Commissioners are also scheduled to discuss the county’s service agreement with community partners this week.

“Nonprofits across Douglas County do important work addressing issues like housing, homelessness, behavioral health, food insecurity, and support for vulnerable residents,” Spurling said. “In many cases, these organizations are better positioned to provide those services than the county government could be on its own.

“When we use taxpayer dollars to support that work, however, we have a responsibility to taxpayers to make sure those dollars are being used effectively,” Spurling said.

Spurling said he believes that the county can protect its open spaces, invest in affordable housing and essential services, and manage taxpayer dollars responsibly.

“I’ll bring a fresh perspective and a willingness to ask tough questions. I’m ready to listen, build consensus, and get to work on day one to help move Douglas County and our communities forward,” Spurling said.

GENE DORSEY

Dorsey is a retired financial controller and spent 35 years in the international oil and chemical industry. He was raised in Gardner and has been a resident of Lawrence since 2005. Before becoming a county commissioner in 2024, he served on the governing board of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center for six years.

Dorsey said during his two years as a county commissioner, he’s made an effort to listen to various constituencies, “so balancing urban, small-town and rural interests starts within the district itself,” he said.

“My priorities tend to be core services that benefit everyone – from public health and safety to judicial services and infrastructure. I believe that district-specific needs deserve a strong advocate, but no district should benefit at another community’s expense,” Dorsey said. “A commissioner must be both a district representative and a county policymaker.”

Dorsey said a nonprofit should demonstrate three things before receiving county money: a genuine public need, a credible plan to address it and the ability to account for how allocated funds are used.

“County funding should be treated as a performance-based partnership, not an automatic annual allocation,” Dorsey said. “Compassion matters, but compassion and accountability must go together. As with most grants and government support, an organization needs to clearly show where the money goes, whom it serves, and what results it achieves. If not, taxpayers should not be expected to fund it.”

Dorsey said his write-in campaign gives every voter in District 4 an opportunity to choose experienced, practical and inclusive leadership.

“I have worked to protect taxpayers while supporting public safety like the sheriff’s department, firefighters and EMS, roads, behavioral health and other essential services,” Dorsey said. “I study each issue, ask difficult questions and make decisions based on facts – not political labels or pressure from special interests.”