Saturday, August 11, 2012

Kansas Democrats plan to seek support from their national party for two congressional candidates who face long odds in trying to unseat Republican incumbents in the GOP-leaning state.

Republicans hold all four of Kansas' congressional seats, but Democrats are contesting only two: the 2nd District held by Rep. Lynn Jenkins and the 4th District held by Rep. Mike Pompeo.

To do even that, they say they will need financial assistance from the national party. Kansas Democratic Party chairwoman Joan Wagnon says, "It's the only way we're going to be competitive."

The party is putting Topeka pastor Tobias Schlingensiepen up against Jenkins and retired court services officer Robert Tillman against Pompeo.

Neither Tillman nor Schlingensiepen have held public office before, and both funded their primary campaigns largely with personal funds.