Free Republic

Now comes the hard part. Jim Barnett comes off his impressive win in Tuesday’s GOP primary for Kansas governor with only one person separating him from the governor’s office — incumbent Kathleen Sebelius armed with a $2 million war chest and robust poll numbers. Acknowledging the tough task ahead, the state senator from Emporia pledged to move aggressively to challenge Sebelius on what he called her lack of leadership. That, he said, is Sebelius’ defining fault. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Barnett had 36 percent to 27 percent for Ken Canfield, the Overland Park political newcomer who finished a...

Although Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) does not currently attract more than 50% support when matched up with her Republican opponents, she is maintaining strong but slightly narrower leads over them. Sebelius now leads former state House Speaker Robin Jennison 50% to 33%, a two-point shaving of the gap between them. The governor leads State Senator Jim Barnett 49% to 37%. Last month, Sebelius led Barnett 50% to 37%.