Kan. GOP picks ex-US Rep. Tiahrt for key position

The three candidates who ran for the open RNC seat are all considered strong conservatives, and all have been active in the party for years. Some Republicans said the contest was a sign that party members are feeling good about its future and are eager to be involved.

But it wasn't difficult to see echoes of the U.S. Senate primary in the race for the national committee seat. Moran remained neutral, but some of the Republicans wearing his blue campaign T-shirts Saturday also wore stickers promoting Van Meteren's candidacy.

During his primary campaign, Moran portrayed Tiahrt, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, as a Washington insider. On Saturday, Van Meteren asked State Committee delegates whether the party exists "to do the bidding of our friends who walk the halls of power."

"I am just a different perspective," Van Meteren said before the meeting. "I believe that the problem we face as Republicans is that the grassroots base of our party is upset with us, and I don't think somebody who's been in Washington for the past 16 years understands what's motivating people."

Duncan had little criticism for the other candidates and said he was running to offer the State Committee members a choice and because he believed he could help build the party at the national level.

Online:

Kansas Republican Party: http://www.ksgop.org

Online:

http://www.ksgop.org