JOHN HANNA, AP Political Writer

 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s position as chief Kansas elections officer is allowing him to play a marquee role in the political drama surrounding Democrat Chad Taylor’s attempt to get off the ballot in the U.S. Senate race.

Taylor ended his campaign last week. He was nudged out of the race against three-term Republican Sen. Pat Roberts by Democrats who viewed independent candidate Greg Orman as the stronger rival and wanted to consolidate most of the anti-Roberts vote behind Orman.

The GOP secretary of state has faced a torrent of criticism for refusing to remove Taylor’s name from the ballot. Taylor turned to the Kansas Supreme Court for relief.

But Kobach’s official duties made him an administrative gatekeeper for any nominee seeking to get off the ballot.