Douglas County Republican candidates gathered Sunday night in Holcom Park to meet college students and members of the community, chat with each other and eat barbecue before heading into the critical fall campaign season.

Although the event was open to anyone to meet the candidates, most, if not all of the 40-some people who attended were Republicans. But the candidates insisted they weren’t wasting efforts preaching to their choir.

“This is a chance for students and the community to meet us,” said Rich Lorenzo, who is challenging Democrat Tom Holland in the 10th District of the Kansas House of Representatives.

Kris Kobach, Republican candidate for the 3rd District U.S. House of Representatives position now held by Democrat Dennis Moore, agreed.

“It’s a rallying of the troops and a way to get geared up for the next seven weeks,” Kobach said. “If you are going to ask people to walk their neighborhoods in your name you ought to get to know them and let them know you.”

Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney said the meeting was a chance to get some positive criticism from other Republicans or members of the community.

“This is a good place to start before the heat of campaigning,” Kenney said.

Kevin Kinsella, a KU senior from Leawood, is working for Kobach’s campaign, but also saw the event as a chance to meet the other candidates in person.

Elizabeth Moss, a KU senior living in Lawrence, also attended the event.

“It shows the students they (candidates) really do care about them and that they are important,” she said.