WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A local prosecutor who handled some of Wichita’s most notorious criminal cases has been chosen as the new Sedgwick County district attorney in a city that has become the center of the nation’s abortion battle.
Deputy district attorney Marc Bennet’s victory over former assistant district attorney in the Republican primary Tuesday essentially makes him district attorney, since no Democrats are running.
Both candidates are abortion opponents. Bennett took 54 percent of the vote over O’Connor, who had the backing of influential anti-abortion groups like Kansans for Life.
Democrat Nola Foulston, an abortion rights supporter, is stepping down after 24 years.
Bennett prosecuted Cornelius Oliver for the slayings of four teenagers in 2000. He also prosecuted Ted Burnett for the murder of pregnant teen Chelsea Brooks.
