Challenger Paul Feleciano has had few opportunities to engage his opponent. During the campaign's only debate, he accused Brownback of being "disingenuous" in suggesting that the entire budget surplus does not need to be used to fund Social Security. (Donelon favors using the surplus for new programs before a tax break.)
In the Senate, Brownback has solidified the conservative reputation he established as a "New Federalist" in the House. His relations with Kansas' large bloc of moderate Republican can only be described as tense. Brownback refused requests from moderate Republican Sen. Pat Roberts and former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum to support Gov. Bill Graves in his primary race against a hard-line conservative opponent. This rift dates back to 1996 when the Graves appointed his Lt. Governor, Sheila Frahm to succeed Dole.
In a state where a Democrat hasn't been elected to the Senate since 1939, this rift is Feleciano's best chance at catching Brownback in the polls. Most agree, however, Sen. Brownback is virtually assured a second term.
| Republican Governor Bill Graves overcame his biggest hurdle to reelection when he fought off a challenge from the conservative wing of his party in the August primary. He should be a shoo-in for election to a second term over Democratic challenger Tom Sawyer. Graves, a moderate Republican, was challenged in the primary by former GOP state chairman David Miller, a conservative. The Republican Party split in Kansas predates Graves election in 1994, but he angered conservatives when he picked his Lt. Gov. Sheila Frahm to fill the Senate seat that Bob Dole vacated in 1996. Graves easily overcame Miller in the primary by 73% to 27%. Democrats, on the other hand, had trouble finding a candidate to opose Graves, and Kansas House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer was a last-minute entry into the race. Sawyer and Graves have actually collaborated on issues in the legislature, including public school funding and abortion (both support the right to abortion), and the campaign has remained cordial. Sawyer is so underfunded that he makes fun of it in his first campaign ad by turning his empty pockets inside out. He says he has to talk fast because he doesn't have much money, and then he races through his positions on key issues. No recent public polls are available, but Graves should be reelected by a wide margin.
 |
Current Lineup: 4 Districts, 4 Republicans, 0 Democrats |
CD1 |
Incumbent |
JERRY MORAN (R) - age 44, Elected in
1996
|
Opponent |
Jim Phillips (D)- age 52, Attorney |
Outlook |
Strong
Republican |
District Profile; |
Rural West - Salina; Hutchinson; Dodge City. 1996 House:
D-24% R-73% |
CD2 |
Incumbent |
JIM RYUN (R) -- age 51 Elected in
1996
|
Opponent |
size=2>
Jim Clark (D) --age 51 Marketing Consultant/Vietnam
Veteran |
Outlook |
Strong
Republican |
District Profile; |
size=2>
East - Topeka; Leavenworth; Pittsburg. 1996 House: face=Arial size=2>D-45% R-52% |
CD3 |
Incumbent |
VINCE SNOWBARGER (R) --age 49 Elected
in 1996
|
Opponent |
size=2>
Dennis Moore (D) --age 52 Fmr Johnson County District
Attorney |
Outlook |
Leans
Republican |
District Profile; |
size=2>
Kansas City region - Overland Park; Lawrence. 1996 House:
D-45%
R-50% |
CD4 |
Incumbent |
TODD TIAHRT (R) --age 47 Elected in
1996
|
Opponent |
size=2>
Jim Lawing (D) --age 61 Fmr State
Representative |
Outlook |
Strong
Republican |
District Profile; |
size=2>
South central - Wichita . 1996 House: size=2>D-47% R-50% |
|
