An incumbent beat a challenge by a political newcomer to retain the Republican nomination as county commissioner.
Kevin Walls, who has served one term as commissioner, won with 63 percent of the vote, and challenger Matthew Adams got 37 percent.
Both had sought the Republican nomination to the District 2 seat, which represents Union, Franklin and Needham townships.
So far, Walls does not face a challenger this fall. No Democratic candidates have filed, but could still ask to be on the ballot before the general election.
County commissioners oversee county employees and the day-to-day operations of the county. Commissioners are responsible for approving new county rules, such as if the county were to consider a countywide smoking ban, and also oversee road projects and new developments.
Jail overcrowding was a key issue for both candidates, who agreed something needs to be done to address the issue, with the jail being repeatedly over capacity for months. Walls has been involved in those discussions for months, which have included ruling out options, such as repurposing the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center as a space to house jail inmates.
Both men had touted their business experience as a key reason why they should be elected.
Walls, who was elected commissioner in 2014, said he has used his entrepreneurial skills as president of his own contracting and construction companies in his work as commissioner during his first term, and would continue to do so.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”How You Voted” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Johnson County Commissioner District 2
Matthew Adams (R);4,817
Kevin Walls (R);8,173
[sc:pullout-text-end]
