TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Major party candidates for Kansas governor are using their running-mate picks to bolster key campaign themes, help with potential political trouble spots and ensure that their ticket represents different regions of the state.
Seven of the eight major candidates have named their candidates for lieutenant governor. Republican former state Sen. Jim Barnett plans to announce his choice Thursday, a day before the states candidate filing deadline.
Here is a look at issues involved in candidates picks and what they say.
BALANCING GEOGRAPHY
Six major candidates picked a partner from a different region, following an age-old tradition.
The three major Republicans who have picked running mates all have strong ties to Johnson County: Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer.
Colyer appointed Tracey Mann, a Salina farmer and commercial real estate broker, lieutenant governor in February. Kobachs running mate is Wichita businessman Wink Hartman. Selzer is running with Jenifer Sanderson, of Goodland, the co-owner of a fast food restaurant who spent much of her career in community banking.
OUTSIDE THE GOP
Independent candidate Greg Orman, a Johnson County businessman, is running with state Sen. John Doll of Garden City.
Among the major Democrats, state Sen. Laura Kelly, of Topeka, picked fellow state Sen. Lynn Rogers, of Wichita, and ex-Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer is running with ex-Gardner Mayor Chris Morrow.
The exception to the push for geographic balance so far is Democratic former state Agriculture Secretary Joshua Svaty, from Ellsworth. His running mate, ex-Army helicopter pilot Katrina Lewison, is from Manhattan.
FUNDRAISING HELP
University of Kansas political scientist Patrick Miller said that when candidates pick a running mate, the potential help with fundraising matters.
Hartman could be the best example. Kobach trailed Colyer and Selzer in fundraising last year. Before Hartman abandoned his own bid for the GOP nomination, three companies with ties to him loaned his campaign nearly $1.7 million.
If running mates cant write big checks themselves, they could tap networks of friends and business associates and other contacts.
