Topeka ? Like son, like mother: Gov. Kathleen Sebelius endorsed Democratic Sen. John Kerry on Friday as her choice for president.

Sebelius then played host Friday evening to retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a former Kerry rival who traveled to Topeka to campaign for Kerry and speak at a $100-a-plate banquet.

The governor’s son, Ned, has been working for the Kerry campaign since June. The governor said she had made up her mind in recent months to endorse the Massachusetts senator but waited until a date closer to the March 13 state Democratic caucuses to make her announcement.

At a news conference, Sebelius said Kerry was best suited to work with states that are struggling with continued federal mandates, including Medicaid and education reforms.

“We must have cooperation and support from the federal government,” said Sebelius, flanked by state and local Democratic leaders.

At a news conference Friday evening, Sebelius and Clark kidded each other about being on various news organizations’ lists of potential vice presidential running mates for Kerry.

Asked if he was interested in the No. 2 spot, Clark said, “I think you should be asking your governor that.”

Sebelius replied, “No, ask him.”

Joining Sebelius in her earlier endorsement of Kerry were members of Kansas labor unions.

Sebelius said Kerry would stop May 1 in Kansas City, Mo., and hoped there would be opportunities for the candidate or his surrogates to come to Kansas before November.