The battle between a former Navy fighter pilot and a plastic surgeon for the right to challenge two-term incumbent Democratic Rep. Dennis Moore turned into one of the tightest races of the primary election.

By late Tuesday, it appeared Adam Taff had defeated Jeff Colyer, 52 percent to 48 percent, according to unofficial returns. Colyer won in Douglas County, netting 54 percent of the vote.

Dan Johnston, GOP chairman in Douglas County, attributed much of Colyer’s success here to Taff’s being a “newcomer” and Sen. Sam Brownback’s decision to endorse Colyer.

“It cannot be denied that it’s unusual for a senator to come out and endorse a candidate in the primary,” Johnston said. “That had to have had a beneficial effect that, and the low turnout at the polls.”

Johnston said much of the often-contentious campaign seemed to bypass Douglas County.

“We didn’t get in on a lot of the negativity, and that’s OK,” he said.

As in other Kansas GOP primaries, the 3rd District congressional race created dissension among Republican statewide officials, with Brownback endorsing Colyer and Gov. Bill Graves backing Taff, a moderate.

Among Kansas City-area candidates, Moore had raised more than $1.12 million, about twice as much money as his closest competitor.

Still, the two Republicans set fund-raising records, with Colyer, the plastic surgeon, bringing in more than $516,000 to Taff’s nearly $354,000. However, the Republicans’ totals reflect sizable personal loans: at least $130,000 for Colyer and at least $155,000 for Taff, the ex-Navy pilot.

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts is the only Kansas congressional candidate to top Moore’s total, raising more than $1.23 million. While there is no Democrat running for Roberts’ seat, there is one candidate each from the Libertarian and Reform parties.