"Brownback’s support in Legislature weakens after moderates’ big gains"

Gov. Sam Brownback saw his support in the Legislature weakened significantly Tuesday when moderates prevailed in dozens of Republican primary races across the state.

“It looks likes the math is pretty clear we’re going to have a ruling moderate-Democratic coalition again,” said Michael Smith, a professor of political science at Emporia State University.

“After four years of the failed experiment, people ran out of patience,” said Roger Elliott, a moderate who won the Republican primary for the open House seat in Wichita’s District 87. He was referring to the income tax cuts Brownback ushered into law in 2012, which economists say have contributed to the state’s budget woes.

Smith credited grassroots groups, such as Women For Kansas, for turning out voters to support moderate candidates throughout the state.