A Kansas state Senator has been ousted by his own party.

Sen. Dennis Pyle of Hiawatha lost badly in the Republican
primary Tuesday, trailing two challengers by wide margins.

According to the unofficial tally by the Kansas Secretary of
State, Army Reserve veteran Craig Bowser received slightly more than 5,000
votes to win the race. John Eplee, an Atchison physician, came in second with
4,495 votes. Pyle, who has represented the district for 20 years, finished
a distant third, receiving only 2,804 votes.

Kansas Republican Party officials soured on Pyle when he ran as
an independent candidate for governor two years ago, claiming Pyle syphoned off
conservative votes in the party’s unsuccessful effort to unseat Gov. Laura
Kelly, a Democrat.

You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720006711563.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly ceremonially signs the tax-cut bill in Holton on July 2 as Sen. Dennis Pyle watches. “You’re looking at 20 years of hard work,” Kelly said (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly ceremonially signs the tax-cut bill in Holton on July 2 as Sen. Dennis Pyle watches. “You’re looking at 20 years of hard work,” Kelly said (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector).</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA Kansas state Senator has been ousted by his own party.Sen. Dennis Pyle of Hiawatha lost badly in the Republican
primary Tuesday, trailing two challengers by wide margins.According to the unofficial tally by the Kansas Secretary of
State, Army Reserve veteran Craig Bowser received slightly more than 5,000
votes to win the race. John Eplee, an Atchison physician, came in second with
4,495 votes. Pyle, who has represented the district for 20 years, finished
a distant third, receiving only 2,804 votes.Kansas Republican Party officials soured on Pyle when he ran as
an independent candidate for governor two years ago, claiming Pyle syphoned off
conservative votes in the party’s unsuccessful effort to unseat Gov. Laura
Kelly, a Democrat.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.

Veteran Kansas state senator finishes 3rd in GOP primary