Topeka ? U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., on Tuesday easily defeated a field of underfinanced opponents.

“I represent the mainstream of where Kansans are,” Brownback said. “It is generally a conservative state.”

Brownback was ahead of his nearest challenger, Democrat Lee Jones, of Lenexa, by 68 percent to 29 percent.

Jones said Brownback’s lead in campaign funds was too much to overcome.

“The bottom line is, he had $3 million, and we had $80,000,” Jones said.

Write-in candidate Horace Edwards, of Topeka, Reform Party candidate George Cook, of Mission, and Libertarian Steve Rosile, of Wichita, split the remainder of the vote.

Brownback, 48, the godfather of conservative Republicans in Kansas, often has been mentioned as a possible candidate in the 2006 governor’s race.

The current governor, Kathleen Sebelius, is a Democrat who dispatched Brownback ally Tim Shallenburger in 2002.

But on Tuesday, Brownback, who was first elected to the Senate in 1996, declined to speculate, saying he was “focused” on the Senate.

A simpler tax system, returning the Big Red One military division to Kansas from Europe, opening Japan to beef imports and helping the aircraft industry in Kansas will be his priorities, he said.

Overview Unofficial election results Douglas County precinct map Election Day 2004 feedback Kids Voting ResultsCounty Democrat unseats D.A. of 8 years Former mayor defeats Buhler in Senate race Embattled district judge stays on bench McElhaney survives short-lived deficit Record number of voters cast their ballots in county Douglas County kids choose Kerry Politicians, supporters share ‘crazy’ election-night revelry Voters approve Perry-Lecompton bond issue Township lacks candidatesState Moore fends off another challenge Ryun wins contentious 2nd District Congress seat Brownback easily defends his U.S. Senate seat Holland inches past GOP challenge Pine takes 3rd District Senate seat Wagnon wins State Board of Education race Seven incumbents lose; GOP pads majority in House Voters deny sales tax for K.C. arena Bush wins Kansas handily Kansans show they’re satisfied with Bush Counties see high voter turnout Election briefsNational Too close to call President ‘upbeat’ on election returns Kerry sentimental as race nears end Analysis: Emotions guided presidential voting Networks use care in reporting results New media throw caution to the wind Presidential race prompts late selloff State by state results: Midwest State by state results: West State by state results: Northeast State by state results: South California backs stem-cell research Voters in 11 states approve gay-marriage bans GOP wins key states in South World riveted by U.S. electionMultimedia Photo Gallery: Election Day 2004 6News video: Dennis Moore wins in a ‘landslide’ 6News video: Dennis Moore victory speech 6News video: Bob Johnson wins 2nd District County Commission position 6News video: Paula Gilchrist presumed Douglas County Treasurer 6News video: Ken McGovern wins sheriff’s office 6News video: Jere McElhaney on the 3rd District Commissioner seat 6News video: Penrod optimistic about Douglas County Clerk position 6News video: Ermeling hopeful in 3rd District Commissioner race 6News video: Francisco likely to win 2nd District Barbara Ballard talks about younger voters and their importance in this election. Barbara Ballard talks about being in Lawrence and Kansas on election night. Paul Davis talks about the importance of this election to the Kansas Democrats. Paul Davis chooses his most important race in Kansas. Paul Davis talks about the feeling among other Democrats in Kansas. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius addresses the crowd at Abe ‘N Jakes Landing.