The Kansas Supreme Court has taken Democratic Senate nominee Chad Taylor off the general election ballot Thursday, a move that puts the Republican incumbent at greater risk.
The Democrat would have faced Sen. Pat Roberts and well-funded independent candidate Greg Orman in November. But a few weeks ago Taylor announced that he would withdraw from the race, which would be a boon to Orman, widely viewed as a stronger candidate.
Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach had tried to stop Taylor from dropping off the ballot, but the court overruled his decision.
Orman hasn’t committed to caucusing with Republicans or Democrats if he wins, insisting that he’ll caucus with the majority. National Republicans assume he’ll join up with Senate Democrats and vote for Majority Leader Harry Reid.
The court’s move drew withering criticism from the Kansas Republican party.
“It is depressing to see the state Supreme Court condone political gamesmanship and a national power play to deceive and disenfranchise Kansas voters,” said state party chair Kelly Arnold.
