OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — The first marriage of a gay couple in Kansas has thrown a new twist to a pair of intensely fought races for U.S. Senate and governor.

A suburban Kansas City county issued a marriage license to two women Friday.

The move was quickly denounced by the Republican incumbents, U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts and Gov. Sam Brownback.

Kansas voters have typically backed GOP candidates who are staunchly against gay marriage. But it’s unclear whether that will hold true this year, as Roberts and Brownback fight for votes from moderates concerned about the economy.

Independent Senate candidate Greg Orman has said he doesn’t think government ought to prohibit gay marriage.

Democratic gubernatorial challenger Paul Davis opposed the Kansas gay-marriage ban but has not campaigned specifically in support of gay marriage.