Olathe ? Kris Kobach on Monday took a decisive step to becoming the Republican nominee in the 3rd Congresional District.

Kobach, a conservative law school professor, picked up 126 votes over moderate republican Adam Taff in a count of provisional votes in Johnson County.

Combined with his earlier 81-vote lead from the Friday canvasses in Douglas and Wyandotte counties, Kobach now leads Taff by 207 votes, 39,129 to 38,922.

“Today Kris Kobach is the nominee and the party is behind him 100 percent,” said Scott Poor, executive director of the Kansas Republican Party.

Bob Zender, a Taff spokesman, said the provisional vote counts were disappointing but that Taff would decide tomorrow whether to seek a recount.

Taff has until 5 p.m. Tuesday to request a recount.

Zender said Taff will do “what is best for the race and what is best for the party.”

The winner will face incumbent Congressman Dennis Moore, a Democrat, in the November general election. The district includes parts of Douglas County and all of Wyandotte and Johnson counties.

Todd Abrajano, a Kobach spokesman, said Kobach was campaigning full speed against Moore.

“We are strengthing and energizing our volunteer base,” Abrajano said.

Abrajano said Kobach would not be upset if Taff wanted a recount.