Roberts was a U.S. Representative from Kansas from 1981 to 1997. He's been a Senator from 1997 until today... well over 30 years living in D.C. There was significant blowback when it was found his primary residence is D.C. He and his wife own half of a duplex in Western Kansas, but none of the neighbors remember the last time they stayed there. Roberts needs to be retired.
Most polls had Roberts, Taylor, and Orman each in the 30% range. Orman was surging, with considerable money coming into his campaign chest. There was some behind-the-scenes visiting with Taylor by some leading Democrats outside the State. Many of the Republicans that are fed up with Roberts would never be able to bring themselves to vote for a Dem. They will vote for an Independent. Taylor called the Kansas Secretary of State's office to inquire what he needed to do to remove his name from the November ballot. He was given the requirements. He put together an e-mail/letter, called the SOS's office back and read it to them to make certain is conformed with the requirements. The gentleman he visited with told him he had everything covered. As soon as the time passed that he could withdraw his name, the SOS announced Taylor had missed one required sentence in the letter. Of course, the SOS is a Tea Party/right wingnut. Taylor has two choices. One is to appeal the decison to the State of Kansas Election Commission. Every member of that Board is a hard right wing Republican appointed by Brownback. So, the only choice left is thorugh the court system. I assume we will hear, early this week, that Taylor has filed in the courts to have the SOS decision overturned and his name removed from the ballot.
Good strategic politics. The SOS, Kris Kobach may have difficulty being re-elected himself. Even if Taylor's name remains on the ballot, there will be enough media coverage that I still believe Orman has a good chance of defeating him.
