Kansas Republicans have chosen Congressman Jerry Moran as their nominee for an open U.S. Senate seat in a bitter primary race where both candidates actively courted GOP conservatives.
Moran overcame a strong challenge from fellow Rep. Todd Tiahrt. The key issue for many voters was which longtime politician would be more aggressive in fighting President Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats.
Moran promoted endorsements from conservative senators such as tea party favorite Jim DeMint of South Carolina, while Tiahrt had the backing of former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.
Baker University assistant dean Lisa Johnston won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate.
Kansas hasn't put a Democrat in the Senate since 1932.
Johnston has worked 17 years in higher education and oversees support services for students at Baker. She lives in Overland Park.
She defeated state Sen. David Haley of Kansas City; Charles Schollenberger, a former newspaper reporter and editor from Prairie Village; Lawrence attorney and accountant Patrick Wiesner; and retired Shawnee railroad engineer Robert Conroy.
Kansas hasn't elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1932.
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