Saturday, December 15, 2012

An outgoing state senator from southern Kansas says Gov. Sam Brownback and his fellow conservative Republican lawmakers worked to oust because he doesn't always stick to the official line on issues.

Sen. Dick Kelsey, of Goddard, told the Topeka Capital-Journal for a Friday story that he thinks his GOP political opponents wanted to make an example out of him so that others don't step out of line in the future.

Kelsey was defeated in the primary by Rep. Dan Kerschen, of Garden Plain, and is leaving the Legislature after an eight-year career in the state House and Senate.

Kelsey's critics have accused him over the years of using his political position to further his personal business interests. He denies doing so.