The Presidential Election has dominated the headlines for months. The historic and bitter clash between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump came to a surprising, if not astonishing, crescendo early this morning when Trump accumulated the requisite number of Electoral College votes by capturing traditionally Democratic Pennsylvania. Trump’s lead in Kansas was never in doubt, and he ultimately won Kansas and its 6 Electoral College votes by a 57% to 36% margin over Clinton. The question that many Kansas statehouse observers had heading into the General Election was, “will the unfavorable rating of Trump harm down-ticket Republican legislative candidates?” In reviewing the results, we think it’s fair to say that Trump had no impact or a favorable impact on Republican candidates in Kansas. The more effective attack by Democratic challengers, it seems, was an attempt to attach Governor Sam Brownback’s unfavorable rating to Republican candidates. …show more content…
Kansas’ Congressional delegation remained solidly red after yesterday’s election. Republican incumbent U.S. Senator Jerry Moran cruised to an early victory over his challenger Patrick Wiesner, by capturing 62% of the vote. Additionally, all four Congressional seats were won and held by Republicans: in the Big First District, new comer Roger Marshall won 66% of the vote; 2nd District Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins easily won reelection with 61% of the vote; and Congressman Mike Pompeo of the Kansas 4th District won reelection by the same margin. Facing the stiffest challenge was Congressman Kevin Yoder of the 3rdDistrict. And, while a computer glitch has delayed many precincts in his district from reporting, he is expected to