Southwest Junior High School students put their stamp on the race for governor, voting to elect Kathleen Sebelius to the state’s top political job.

She captured 55 percent of ballots cast by seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders on Monday to easily defeat Republican Tim Shallenburger in the mock election.

Shallenburger had 31 percent, with third-party candidates claiming the rest.

Kelly Barker, who teaches history and civics at Southwest, said the project was designed to help students understand the electoral process and raise the level of debate about candidates and issues.

In other races, GOP nominee Phill Kline edged Democrat Chris Biggs in the race for attorney general. Students re-elected U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, R-Kan. But in the 3rd District race for Congress, Democrat incumbent Dennis Moore and Republican challenger Adam Taff tied.