Ellsworth voters will have their choice between two candidates to fill the county commission seat of retiring long-time official Kermit Rush.

Ellsworth residents Patrick Hoffman and Greg Bender will be on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Both have lived most of their lives in Ellsworth.

Bender, during a talk via Zoom this past week at a meeting of the local Kiwanis Club, said he decided to run after being approached by several residents and encouraged to seek the seat.

Bender, a Republican, said his goal is to continue moving Ellsworth County forward by helping to attract more businesses and making sure the roads and bridges are maintained.

Otherwise, he does not have one definite goal.

“I do not plan on being a yes man for anything or anybody,” Bender said.

Hoffman, a Democrat is an Ellsworth attorney who has firsthand experience with county and municipal government through his work with the Barton County commission and Ellsworth and other cities.

He also serves represents Ellsworth on the Beloit-based North Central Regional Planning Commission.

The District 3 commission seat also is open. Incumbent Stephen Dlabal of Wilson, is seeking his second term without opposition.

Ellsworth County Sheriff Murray Marston, an Ellsworth Republican, also is unopposed.

Candidates had until noon Monday, June 1, to file. Here are the other races (‘I’ stands for incumbent):

County clerk — Shelly Vopat, D-Ellsworth (I).

County treasurer — Geneva Schneider, D-Kanopolis (I).

County attorney — Paul J. Kasper II, R-Wilson (I).

County register of deeds — Sue Arensman, R-Ellsworth. Longtime register of deeds Janice Sneath has announced her retirement.

Wilson City Council (three open seats) — Charles “Chuck” Crawford, Cindy Heinze and Darcy Hubka-Vopat, all incumbents.

Kansas state senator — Richard Wilborn, R-McPherson (I).

Kansas House of Representatives, 108th District — Steven Johnson, R-Assaria (I).

District Court Judge, District 20, Div. 3 — Lisa Beran, R-Claflin; Levi Morris, R-Great Bend.

District Magistrate Judge, District 20, Position 1 — Rita Sunderland and Peggy Svaty, both R-Ellsworth.