Tim Draftz (left) and Jack Bower (right) field questions as nominees for First District Atchison County Commission. 

(KAIR)--Once the formal appointment is made by Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, current Atchison City Commissioner Jack Bower will be sworn in as the new First District Atchison County Commissioner. “I want to see quality of life, just a great place to raise a family,” Bower told MSC News after being named to fill the seat.

Bower was one of two nominees for the unexpired term being vacated by Jeff Schuele.

Bower defeated his challenger, Tim Draftz, on a secret ballot majority vote cast by the six First District Committee Persons during Tuesday evening's Republican Party District Convention held to select Schuele's replacement. “And the results [of the vote] are, Tim Draftz, 2, Jack Bower, 4,” Atchison County Republican Central Committee Chairman, Derek Franklin, announced after the ballots had been counted. Franklin was selected to serve as chair of the convention.

Bower was nominated by West Third Committee Person David Butler, while Draftz was nominated by East Third Committee Person Susan Draftz.

The two nominees fielded questions posed by West Second Committee Person Steve Estes, as well as Butler, prior to Bower's selection. “I just want to step up to another role, besides the city,” Bower told MSC News. “Maybe try to work some strategic initiatives, to try to work on economic development, working together with other municipalities. Maybe create some synergies within our working groups.”

The documentation pertaining to Bower's election will now be forwarded to Governor Brownback. Atchison County Counselor Patrick Henderson says Brownback will have seven days from the time of its receipt to make the formal appointment. Until that time, Schuele remains in place as First District Commissioner. Once the formality is finalized, Bower will be sworn into office, either at the May 2 or May 9 meeting of the County Commission. Henderson says which of the two meetings that will happen at depends on the timing of when the documentation is received by the County from the Governor's office.

Bower, prior to being sworn in, will have to resign from the Atchison City Commission, where he currently serves as Vice-Mayor. Henderson says state requirements will not allow Bower to serve in both roles.

The unexpired county term runs through January 14, 2019.

According to the City of Atchison website, Bower's current City Commission term expires in January, 2020.