Kansas governor backs Democratic senator's opponent
By CARL MANNING
The Associated Press
TOPEKA | Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and another Democratic leader are trying to unseat a legislator from their own party for voting against the governor and endorsing Republican Phill Kline in the 2006 attorney general's race.
Sebelius and Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, of Topeka, sent a letter earlier this month that endorsed Kelly Kultala in the 5th District and asked for a $1,000 contribution for her. The letter was sent statewide July 3 to unions, political action committees and lobbyists.
Kultala is running against Sen. Mark Gilstrap, a three-term incumbent, in the Aug. 5 primary. Kultala, a former Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan., commissioner, is campaigning with the slogan: "A real voice, a real leader, a real Democrat."
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In a June 12 e-mail to Gilstrap, Hensley cited several reasons, including Gilstrap's support of Kline's failed re-election bid two years ago. Kline is a conservative abortion opponent.
"He committed the cardinal sin of being a Democrat who endorsed one of the most extreme Republicans around," Hensley said. "This is about supporting a right-wing agenda."more . . .
http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/711068.html