THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010
WWW.KANSAN.COM
VOLUME 123 ISSUE 53
GRAND OLD VICTORY
Republicans win big
GOP candidates take all major seats in Kansas, gain control of House in Washington
Lieutenant Governor-elect Jey Coley, left, celebrates with Governor-elect Sam Brownbak in Topeka after learning of their victory Tuesday night. Brownbak and Coyler took 63 percent s of the votes statewide, while other Republicans seized control of Senate and House seats as well as the attorney general and secretary of state offices.
BY MICHAEL HOLTZ mholtz@kansan.com
TOPEKA — Kansas Republicans have much to look forward to after an overwhelming victory in Tuesday's midterm elections, which included the election of the state's first Republican governor in eight years.
Sam Brownback won the gubernatorial election with 63 percent of the vote, 30 percentage points more than Tom Holland, the Democratic candidate.
He said this year's election was a "clean sweep for a new beginning." Republicans won all major seats on Tuesday's ballot.
"No more Obama way, now to the Kansan way," Brownback said in his victory speech while standing next to his wife, three of his five children and Jeff Coyler — his running mate — and Coyler's family.
Brownback's win marks a considerable victory for the state's Republicans Party, who already controlled both chambers of the Kansas Legislature. They'll now have the chance to implement Brownback's "Road Map for Kansas," his comprehensive agenda, which focuses on growing the Kansas economy, improving education and reforming state government.
SEE GOP ON PAGE 3A
Taste of defeat doesn't leave Democrats bitter
Tom Holland, Democratic candidate for Kansas Governor, speaks Tuesday night as his family cheers him on at the Democratic Watch Party in Topeka. Holland was defeated by Republican Sam Brownback.
Evan Palmer/KANSAN
scollins@kansan.com
BY SAMANTHA COLLINS
TOPEKA — The room was filled with red and blue signs propped up against walls and chairs. Defeat was in the air at the Democratic watch party in Topeka. Nonetheless, smiles were bright and hopes were still high for the future.
Kansas state senator Anthony Hensley said he knew the results would not be what he hoped, but he said he was still believed the Democratic Party in Kansas was alive and well. He also said there is hope for forming a bipartisan coalition in the Kansas Legislature.
He said with bipartisan cooperation, Democrats can show that they can lead Kansas. He said the most important things that Democrats can do is to step forward and work for
"We have to work together crossing to the other side of the aisle and work with those Republicans." Hensley said.
Kansans.
After incumbent state senator Tom Holland accepted his defeat in the gubernatorial race, he joined his family at the lectern. There, he announced that he had called Sam Brownback to congratulate him on his elected position to lead, what he referred to as, "the state that we both love dearly."
"He has earned our sincere congratulations," Holland said.
Lisa Johnston, who lost her campaign for a U.S. senate seat to Republican Jerry Moran, she said Democrats can't feel demoralized and they need to hold every elected official accountable. She said she also looks forward to the future.
INDEX
"I'm not going anywhere," Johnston said.
Despite losses among Democratic candidates, optimism still lingers.
Edited by Emily McCoy
"it's never a bad year to be a
nomocrat" Holland said.
WEATHER
Classifieds...2B
Crossword...4A
Cryptoquips...4A
Opinion...5A
Sports...1B
Sudoku...4A
GOVERNOR
Sam Brownback Republican
Lynn Jenkins Republican
32%
63%√
U.S. HOUSE 2ND DISTRICT
33%
ELECTION 2010 RESULTS
Tom Holland Democrat
U.S. HOUSE 3RD DISTRICT
Cheryl Hudspeth Democrat
38%
63%√
Kevin Yoder
Republican
59%√
Stephene Moore Democrat
U.S. SENATE
26%
Lisa Johnston Democrat
70%√
Jerry Moran Republican
TODAY
66 37
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Steve Six Democrat
42%
SECRETARY OF STATE
Derek Schmidt
Republican
55%
Chris Biggs Democrat
Kris Kobach Republican
59%√
ALSO ON THE BALLOT
Lawrence special question:
$18-million library expansion
YES NO
55% 44%
Constitutional amendment 1: Expanded
YES NO
88% 12%
WEDNESDAY
Sunny
Constitutional amendment 2: Voting rights for people with mental illness
WEDNESDAY
58 30
63%
YES
37%
NO
THURSDAY
56 28
Sunny
weather.com
CAMPUS | 6A
Conversation groups help non-native speakers
The Applied English Center provides resources for international students trying to adjust to American culture and the English language. The groups are held five days a week in the Hawk's Nest in the Kansas Union.