Powell Leads Morris

A conservative Kansas House member is leading Senate President Steve Morris in the state’s Republican primary.

Rep. Larry Powell had almost 52 percent of the vote against Morris in final, unofficial results from Tuesday’s election in the 39th Senate District in southwestern Kansas.

Powell’s lead came amid conservative victories in other races that moved them closer to controlling the Senate.

Powell, from Garden City, is chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and has served in the House since 2001.

Morris is a moderate Hugoton Republican who has served 20 years in the Senate. Campaign finance records show Morris outspent Powell by an 8-to-1 margin, putting $183,000 into his re-election effort.

But Powell and other conservatives had the backing of the powerful Kansas Chamber of Commerce.