All the attention is focusing on the contest between Kobach and Colyer, but there isn't that much difference politically. Kobach is definitely the conservative firebrand, but Colyer is pretty conservative himself. And Colyer would win the general in the landslide so either way, I'm pretty happy.
The more interesting news that isn't getting much coverage are the Kansas house races. In the past few elections, fiscal liberals have been quite successful at infiltrating GOP primaries to win seats as "moderates," and those votes have allowed things like last year's massive tax increase and the narrowly defeated effort to expand Medicaid. Last night, the House tacked slightly back to the right.
Dist 5: Moderate Mark Samsel replaced Conservative Kevin Jones, who did not run
Dist 8: Conservative Chris Croft ousted Moderate RINO Patty Markley
Dist 28: Conservative Kellie Warren ousted Moderate Joy Koesten
Dist 39: Conservative Owen Donohoe replaced Moderate Shelee Brim, who did not run
Dist 64: (???) Suzi Carlson replaced Moderate Susie Swanson, who did not run (but Suzi is quite vague about her fiscal policy)
Dist 74: Conservative Stephen Owens ousted Moderate Don Schroeder
Dist 75: Conservative Will Carpenter ousted Moderate Mary Martha Good
Dist 80: Conservative Bill Rhiley ousted Moderate Anita Judd-Jenkins
Dist 87: Conservative Renee Erickson replaced Moderate Roger Elliott, who did not run
Dist 93: Moderate J.C. Moore ousted Conservative John Whitmer
Dist 97: Moderate Nick Hoheisel replaced Conservative Les Osterman, who did not run
Dist 104: Conservative Paul Waggoner ousted Moderate Steven Becker (BY ONE VOTE! - this might not hold up after provisional ballots)
So, assuming seats don't flip in the general (and many of the races above don't even have a Dem in opposition), conservatives netted 4-6 seats last night.
