When state Sen. Anthony Hensley, a Democrat from Topeka, cast his vote in May against a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages, the general election contest began.

“If this is the one vote that will cost me my re-election, I can guarantee you I’m not going to lose any sleep over it, because I know that by casting a vote against this constitutional amendment, I’m doing the right thing,” Hensley said during an emotional and heated debate.

The Rev. Bob Hanson, pastor of Shawnee Heights Baptist Church in Topeka, watched much of the debate in the Legislature and lobbied lawmakers to put before voters the issue of banning same-sex marriage.

Now Hanson, a Republican and political newcomer, is challenging Hensley — a legislative veteran, Senate Democratic leader and special-education teacher — in the Nov. 2 election to represent the 19th Senate District.

The district’s main portion is east Topeka, but it includes southwestern Douglas County.

Hensley doesn’t shy from his vote. Earlier in the legislative session, he voted for a proposed constitutional amendment that would have tracked current state law, which bans same-sex marriage. That failed, however, in the Senate.

The amendment he voted against, however, would have gone too far, he said. It would have banned companies from extending benefits to domestic partners whether homosexual or heterosexual, he said.

Hensley, 51, said Hanson, 49, was “a one-issue candidate.”

“The voters I talk to are concerned about more than one issue,” Hensley said. Other issues of interest include health insurance, education and property taxes, he said.

Challenger questions D.A.’s court record (10-23-04) More in Election 2004

Hanson concedes it was the same-sex marriage issue that got him interested in the race, but he said he also was concerned about other issues.

“My major theme is, I am going to give a voice to the people. It has to do with the amendment, but it goes beyond that,” Hanson said.

He said he also supported a constitutional amendment that would limit tax increases and require a statewide vote on any state tax increase.

Hensley said such a procedure would be impractical, and that voters elected representatives to make these decisions.

Hanson said he opposed a tax increase for schools, while Hensley has voted for unsuccessful proposals to raise taxes for schools.