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Kansas court rules Dems don’t need to replace Taylor, dealing blow to Pat Roberts Kansas court rules Dems don’t need to replace Taylor, dealing blow to Pat Roberts
(35 minutes later)
A district court in Kansas ruled Wednesday that the state Democratic Party is not required to appoint a Senate candidate to replace former nominee Chad Taylor, dealing a fresh, if not unexpected, blow to Sen. Pat Roberts (R), who is fighting to keep his job in one of the closest races in the country.A district court in Kansas ruled Wednesday that the state Democratic Party is not required to appoint a Senate candidate to replace former nominee Chad Taylor, dealing a fresh, if not unexpected, blow to Sen. Pat Roberts (R), who is fighting to keep his job in one of the closest races in the country.
In a 21-page ruling, a three-judge panel in Shawnee County District Court wrote, "When a candidate vacancy occurs after a primary, it is the judgment of the political party as to whether to challenge, or not, for the office by assessing both candidate availability and viability and, as well, its own party's best interests."In a 21-page ruling, a three-judge panel in Shawnee County District Court wrote, "When a candidate vacancy occurs after a primary, it is the judgment of the political party as to whether to challenge, or not, for the office by assessing both candidate availability and viability and, as well, its own party's best interests."
Taylor dropped out of the race last month and Republicans had hoped to force Democrats to replace him on the ballot. A Democrat on the ballot could pull some anti-Roberts votes that would probably otherwise go to the senator's main opponent, independent candidate Greg Orman.Taylor dropped out of the race last month and Republicans had hoped to force Democrats to replace him on the ballot. A Democrat on the ballot could pull some anti-Roberts votes that would probably otherwise go to the senator's main opponent, independent candidate Greg Orman.
David Orel, who filed the petition to try to force Democrats to filed a replacement candidate, was described in documents as a registered Democrat. But he the father of a field director on the reelction campaign of Gov. Sam BrownBack (R). David Orel, who filed the petition to try to force Democrats to filed a replacement candidate, was described in documents as a registered Democrat. But he is the father of a field director on the reelection campaign of Gov. Sam BrownBack (R).
Following the court's decision, Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R) instructed all 105 counties to immediately begin printing ballots.
"I am pleased that the court reached its decision swiftly. The court’s quick decision will ensure that the November 4, 2014, election can be administered efficiently," Kobach said in a statement.
A new poll released Wednesday shows Orman leading Roberts 46 percent to 41 percent. The USA Today/Suffolk University poll was the first conducted since Roberts ramped up his TV attack ad campaign against Orman.A new poll released Wednesday shows Orman leading Roberts 46 percent to 41 percent. The USA Today/Suffolk University poll was the first conducted since Roberts ramped up his TV attack ad campaign against Orman.
The poll is the latest sign of trouble for Senate Republicans, who are in competition with Democrats for the Senate majority. A loss in Kansas would be a serious blow to the GOP's chances of success. Orman has not said which party he would caucus with if the majority comes down to him.The poll is the latest sign of trouble for Senate Republicans, who are in competition with Democrats for the Senate majority. A loss in Kansas would be a serious blow to the GOP's chances of success. Orman has not said which party he would caucus with if the majority comes down to him.
Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R) had already ordered county election officials to send out overseas and military absentee ballots without a Democratic nominee on them. He included a disclaimer suggesting the ballots might change. Updated at 4:28 p.m.