Kansas: Glimpse Poll

Though the Republican gubernatorial primary draws most of the Jayhawk State political attention, largely because the eventual nominee will be the general election favorite, the Democrats have their own primary under way and a new poll suggests there is no clear front runner.  State Rep. Jim Ward (D-Wichita), the state House Minority Leader, contracted an Expedition Strategies poll (3/5-8; sample size of Democratic voters not released) and found state Sen. Laura Kelly (D-Topeka) leading the group but with only 19% support.  Mr. Ward closely followed with 17%, while former state Agriculture Department secretary Josh Svaty posts 7% preference. 
 
The poll is flawed because former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer, who by all analysis is a major candidate, was not tested.  Since both Ward and Brewer are from Wichita, there is no doubt that the former Mayor would cut into the poll sponsor’s support.  There is a split in supporters, too.  The last two Democratic Governors, Kathleen Sebelius, who would go onto become Health & Human Services Secretary in the Obama Administration, and John Carlin, who left office more than 30 years ago, support different Democratic candidates.  Ms. Sebelius endorsed state Sen. Kelly.  Mr. Carlin is backing former Ag Secretary Svaty. 

--Jim Ellis