Topeka ? Bob Dole said he wanted everyone except for a few newspaper editors to vote for him when he was running for public office.

But on Monday, his message was aimed only at Republicans.

The former U.S. senator and 1996 GOP presidential nominee returned to Kansas to campaign for Republican candidates Adam Taff in the 3rd Congressional District and Tim Shallenburger in the governor’s race.

Shallenburger, the state treasurer, is trying to defeat Democrat Kathleen Sebelius, whose campaign is touting a “Republicans for Sebelius” group.

Dole said during a news conference that Republicans should remember their party holds the presidency and elected two U.S. senators from Kansas.

“It seems to me it’s in the interest of Kansas, working with Republicans, to have a Republican governor,” Dole said.

Noting the state’s ongoing budget problems, Dole also said of Shallenburger: “He’s a good conservative. He understands that we’re going to have to cut spending and not raise taxes.”