GOP moderates make Kansas primary about schools, budget woes

(AP) — Moderate Republicans were making the Kansas primary a referendum on the state's budget problems and education funding as they tried Tuesday to oust conservative incumbents.

More than two dozen GOP legislators faced primary opponents, and most were allies of Republican Gov. Sam Brownback who continued to support his experiment in cutting state income taxes to stimulate the economy.

The voting occurred against the backdrop not only of the state's fiscal woes but ongoing legal and political disputes over funding for public schools.

Bruce has been a reliable Brownback ally and was leaning on his record as a strong advocate of gun rights, having been the key backer of successful legislation to allow Kansans to carry concealed weapons without a state permit.

Ousting conservatives would further their goal of building a governing coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats on key education and budget issues.