what separates Kansas from the other plains states in terms of electing

[freepcrusher]

democrat senators? Nebraska is probably even more republican than Kansas at the presidential level but has elected democratic senators like Exon, Kerrey, Nelson and the Dakotas have their share of dem senators like Conrad, Dorgan, Johnson, Daschle, McGovern. Why hasn't Kansas elected a democratic senator since like 1932?

[Mehmentum]

I'm not an expert by any means, but perhaps they're just more like Oklahoma than Nebraska?

[freepcrusher]

but even Oklahoma has elected democratic senators. As late as the 1990s, they had a democratic senator. I can't remember his first name but his last was Boren.

[MilesC56]

but even Oklahoma has elected democratic senators. As late as the 1990s, they had a democratic senator. I can't remember his first name but his last was Boren.

David Boren; the father of Rep. Dan Boren. He resigned in 1994 to become President at the University of Oklahoma.

Democrats have traditionally had a huge registration advantage in OK as well; the last numbers I've seen have Dems up 49-40 over Republicans. Basically, the OK electorate is still primarily made of Dixiecrats who vote Republican; they'd vote for conservatives like Boren in the past, but the decline of the OK Democratic party is pretty inevitable.

I wouldn't say that KS is more like OK than NB. KS isn't ancestrally Democratic like OK.

[Jayhawker]

*Jumps in as actual Jayhawker*

All Midwestern states have roughly the same conservative to liberal ratio. While there are many "conservative Democrats" in other Midwestern states, there aren't in Kansas. Most of Kansas Democrats reside in Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City. In all three areas, Democrats are pretty liberal. Thus, the average Kansas Democrat is more liberal than other state's Democrats, meaning they have a much harder time winning statewide offices.

[realisticidealist]

It's not like Kansas doesn't elect Democrats statewide. They've had Democratic governors, for example; Sebelius won twice, Joan Finney won in 1990, and John Carlin won in 1978 and 1982.

[Dgov]

Has there ever been any close elections in Kansas?  I mean they've only had a handful of Senators since 1932, so its could easily be just statistics rather than any tangible preference by the state.  As the poster above me noted, they've elected Democrats for governor plenty of times.

[Jayhawker]

It's not like Kansas doesn't elect Democrats statewide. They've had Democratic governors, for example; Sebelius won twice, Joan Finney won in 1990, and John Carlin won in 1978 and 1982.

They simply don't have a moderate-Democrat bench to run for the Senate. Anyone who somewhat resembles a moderate in the state runs for Governor, since they have a much better chance winning there.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Admitted to the Union in 1861 as a free state; Republican domination started there and hasn't abated. Oklahoma isn't comparable, culturally or politically.

[Former Moderate]

Has there ever been any close elections in Kansas?  I mean they've only had a handful of Senators since 1932, so its could easily be just statistics rather than any tangible preference by the state.  As the poster above me noted, they've elected Democrats for governor plenty of times.

Only three Senate races since 1932 have been decided by fewer than 10 points:

1936, Arthur Capper (R) 51%, Omar B. Ketchum (D) 48.4%
1966, James Blackwood Pearson (R) 52.2%, J. Floyd Breeding (D) 45.2%
1974, Robert J. "Bob" Dole (R) 50.9%, William R. "Bill" Roy (D) 49.2%

The only close race in modern (post-1974) times was the 1996 open seat, when Sam Brownback beat Jill Docking 53.9% to 43.3%.

[Badger]

Has there ever been any close elections in Kansas?  I mean they've only had a handful of Senators since 1932, so its could easily be just statistics rather than any tangible preference by the state.  As the poster above me noted, they've elected Democrats for governor plenty of times.

Only three Senate races since 1932 have been decided by fewer than 10 points:

1936, Arthur Capper (R) 51%, Omar B. Ketchum (D) 48.4%
1966, James Blackwood Pearson (R) 52.2%, J. Floyd Breeding (D) 45.2%
1974, Robert J. "Bob" Dole (R) 50.9%, William R. "Bill" Roy (D) 49.2%

The only close race in modern (post-1974) times was the 1996 open seat, when Sam Brownback beat Jill Docking 53.9% to 43.3%.

Just looked at the Atlas map for that "close" 96 election hoping to see something interesting. Not remotely....

[BushKenya]

As other posters have pointed out, Oklahoma and Kansas are not comparable to each other, either culturally or politically.  First off, Oklahoma was formed largely by Native American Indians who are still a big key voting bloc in Oklahoma elections.  We have many different tribes in the Sooner State.  Secondly, the Religious Right is more prevalent in Oklahoma than it is in Kansas as if you'll look at a map of the Bible Belt, it stops at the Oklahoma/Kansas state line and the Missouri/Kansas state line.  The Republicans in Kansas are more "natural" Republicans without very much religious bias.

[I'm Not a Witch]

As other posters have pointed out, Oklahoma and Kansas are not comparable to each other, either culturally or politically.  First off, Oklahoma was formed largely by Native American Indians who are still a big key voting bloc in Oklahoma elections.  We have many different tribes in the Sooner State.  Secondly, the Religious Right is more prevalent in Oklahoma than it is in Kansas as if you'll look at a map of the Bible Belt, it stops at the Oklahoma/Kansas state line and the Missouri/Kansas state line.  The Republicans in Kansas are more "natural" Republicans without very much religious bias.

Just thinking out loud here, but isn't Kansas the home of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church?

[BushKenya]

As other posters have pointed out, Oklahoma and Kansas are not comparable to each other, either culturally or politically.  First off, Oklahoma was formed largely by Native American Indians who are still a big key voting bloc in Oklahoma elections.  We have many different tribes in the Sooner State.  Secondly, the Religious Right is more prevalent in Oklahoma than it is in Kansas as if you'll look at a map of the Bible Belt, it stops at the Oklahoma/Kansas state line and the Missouri/Kansas state line.  The Republicans in Kansas are more "natural" Republicans without very much religious bias.

Just thinking out loud here, but isn't Kansas the home of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church?

Yes, but they aren't a Christian church.  Not by their actions.  We, in the Christian community, regard them as a cult.

[realisticidealist]

Everyone hates the WBC, even most hardcore Christians. Secondly, I think it's pretty telling that Perot did quite better in Kansas in 1992 than in any of the surrounding states, and certainly better than any Bible Belt state.

[nclib]

There are plenty of ultra-conservative Christians in Kansas aside from the WBC. Take Scott Roeder (abortion provider George Tiller's murderer).

[freepcrusher]

but those are of the militia element. I despise the religious right, but only 5% of all fundies are THAT f'ed up.

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

Has there ever been any close elections in Kansas?  I mean they've only had a handful of Senators since 1932, so its could easily be just statistics rather than any tangible preference by the state.  As the poster above me noted, they've elected Democrats for governor plenty of times.

Senate election if 1974, when Bob Dole barely survived a challenge from his Democratic opponent. However, it was a Watergate year.

[Gustaf]

Has there ever been any close elections in Kansas?  I mean they've only had a handful of Senators since 1932, so its could easily be just statistics rather than any tangible preference by the state.  As the poster above me noted, they've elected Democrats for governor plenty of times.

Only three Senate races since 1932 have been decided by fewer than 10 points:

1936, Arthur Capper (R) 51%, Omar B. Ketchum (D) 48.4%
1966, James Blackwood Pearson (R) 52.2%, J. Floyd Breeding (D) 45.2%
1974, Robert J. "Bob" Dole (R) 50.9%, William R. "Bill" Roy (D) 49.2%

The only close race in modern (post-1974) times was the 1996 open seat, when Sam Brownback beat Jill Docking 53.9% to 43.3%.

And of course 1974 and 1936 were both horrible Republican years.

I think senate statistics are a bit dubious though given how long tenure often is. For example, Bob Dole was senator for 26 years. Saying that the Democrats couldn't take that seat in 30 years makes it look more Republican than it actually was though.

[memphis]

A small sample size. They reelected Sebelius (Obama's HHS sec) as gov'r by 17 points in 2006.

[nclib]

*Jumps in as actual Jayhawker*

All Midwestern states have roughly the same conservative to liberal ratio. While there are many "conservative Democrats" in other Midwestern states, there aren't in Kansas. Most of Kansas Democrats reside in Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City. In all three areas, Democrats are pretty liberal. Thus, the average Kansas Democrat is more liberal than other state's Democrats, meaning they have a much harder time winning statewide offices.

Sounds right, but how was Sebelius able to win easily?

[memphis]

*Jumps in as actual Jayhawker*

All Midwestern states have roughly the same conservative to liberal ratio. While there are many "conservative Democrats" in other Midwestern states, there aren't in Kansas. Most of Kansas Democrats reside in Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City. In all three areas, Democrats are pretty liberal. Thus, the average Kansas Democrat is more liberal than other state's Democrats, meaning they have a much harder time winning statewide offices.

Sounds right, but how was Sebelius able to win easily?

People don't always vote based on party. Especially for local and state stuff. In 2006, Wyoming re-elected their Democratic gov'r with 70% of the vote. The same evening, Vermont easily elected a Republican governor. New York City hasn't elected a Democratic mayor since the 1980s.

[The Mikado]

I really want to drop an obligatory "What's the Matter With Kansas?" reference, but I can't decide whether to cite the 1896 version of the 2004 version.

[I'm JewCon in name only.]

*Jumps in as actual Jayhawker*

All Midwestern states have roughly the same conservative to liberal ratio. While there are many "conservative Democrats" in other Midwestern states, there aren't in Kansas. Most of Kansas Democrats reside in Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City. In all three areas, Democrats are pretty liberal. Thus, the average Kansas Democrat is more liberal than other state's Democrats, meaning they have a much harder time winning statewide offices.

Sounds right, but how was Sebelius able to win easily?

Name recognition helped.

Her father in law was a republican congressman from Kansas.