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Unified Government Mayor/CEO candidates Rose Mulvany Henry, Christal Watson advance to November election

Candidates set in race to be the next KCK  mayor
Rose Mulvany Henry
Christal Watson
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KSHB 41 reporter Rachel Henderson covers neighborhoods in Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties. Share your story idea with Rachel.

Rose Mulvany Henry and Christal Watson were the top two finishers in Tuesday night's Unified Government Mayor/CEO primary election.

Candidates set in race to be the next KCK mayor

The two women advanced to the November 4 general election, where voters will decide which candidate will replace current Mayor/CEO Tyrone Garner.

Garner did not run for a second term.

Mulvany Henry finished first Tuesday night with 3,619 votes while Watson received 3,031 votes.

“I’m relieved, I’m grateful, I’m humbled, I’m excited about the next chapter in Wyandotte County’s history," she told Rachel Henderson KSHB 41's Wyandotte County reporter.

Mulvany Henry serves on the Board of Public Utilities and is a telecommunications attorney.

The key issues she wants given attention in the campaign are diversifying the tax base, addressing the affordable housing shortage, and restoring trust in the government.

Watson is the executive director of the Kansas City, Kansas School Foundation for Excellence, Inc.

"I feel rejuvenated, I feel so thankful that Wyandotte County believes in me,” Watson said. “And that to me means more than anything in the world.”

Watson wants a plan to deal with high property taxes and to improve relationships between the mayor and commission members.

Incumbent Wyandotte County Sheriff Daniel Soptic got more than double the votes each of his two primary opponents received.

Soptic will face Celisha Towers in the November general election.

In Lenexa, incumbent John Michael Handley will face Joe Shull in the November general election.

Voters in the Oak Grove School District said yes to an increase in the district's operating tax levy ceiling.

An extension of the Raytown sales tax for parks and storm water control passed, as did revenue bonds in the Public Water Supply District No. 6 in Cass County.

In Parkville, voters said no to collecting a property tax levy for another 20 years to pay for facilities and infrastructure.