Topeka ? Conservatives returned to power Saturday, taking over the Kansas Republican Party and immediately setting their sights on Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat.

Tim Shallenburger, who was defeated by Sebelius in the 2002 gubernatorial race, was elected chairman of the state GOP and said the defeat of Sebelius in 2006 was one of the top priorities of the party.

“It’s time we have another top to bottom review at Cedar Crest,” Shallenburger, a Baxter Springs banker, said. Sebelius lives at Cedar Crest, which is the governor’s mansion, and cites her “top to bottom” reviews as saving tax dollars.

After his election by the GOP delegates, Shallenburger said at least three Republicans have been mentioned as possible opponents to Sebelius.

They include U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Topeka, and U.S. Reps. Jim Ryun of Lawrence and Jerry Moran of Hays. None of the three have made any public statement saying that they wanted to run for governor.

Aside from bashing Sebelius, the GOP meeting provided the stage for another view of the political warfare between conservative and moderate Republicans.

Conservatives took the majority of precinct positions during the August primary, setting into motion the election Saturday of a conservative slate of leaders, wresting control from the moderate wing, which had been in charge since 1998.

In addition to Shallenburger, Susan Estes, of Wichita, was elected vice chairwoman; Beverly Caley, of Clay County, secretary; and Emmitt Mitchell, of Overland Park, treasurer.

But even Shallenburger, a long-time conservative icon and former House speaker and state treasurer, was outflanked on the right in a bitter behind-the-scenes fight for control.

“Today, I find I may not be conservative enough,” Shallenburger said in his campaign speech to the crowd.

But Shallenburger repeated his conservative credentials: anti-abortion, pro-gun rights and cutting taxes.

He said it was time to “heal this party” and rehashed the times moderate leaders bashed conservatives for being outspoken against abortion and the teaching of evolution.

“They treated us like morons. That was wrong,” he said.

But conservative Dwight Sutherland, a Mission Hills businessman, challenged Shallenburger, saying he feared Republican Party politics would be controlled by a few people.

“Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss,” Sutherland said, reciting a song by The Who.

Charlotte O’Hara, of Olathe, ran for chairwoman saying that opposition to abortion and support of a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage were the most important issues.

The delegates elected Shallenburger with 106 votes to 26 votes for O’Hara and four votes for Sutherland.

Shallenburger replaced Dennis Jones, a Lakin attorney who did not seek a second term.

Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, of Lawrence, a moderate, voted for Shallenburger and the rest of the winning slate even though she has sharp disagreements with Shallenburger. Praeger supports a woman’s right to an abortion.

Praeger said she hoped the party would return to the center.

“The Democratic Party, when they abandoned the center, it allowed the Republicans to come in,” she said. “We need to heed that. You don’t abandon the center.”

She noted that Shallenburger had a reputation of treating people fairly when he served as House speaker.

Later asked if the state Republican Party was inclusive enough to have a member like Praeger, Shallenburger said yes.

Politicans like Praeger “are going to be an integral part of our party,” he said. “Without any question, there’s room for pro-choice people.”

Jim Mullins, a conservative Republican from Lawrence, was at the meeting to advertise his consulting business.

He said the constant battle between conservatives and moderates was getting old.

“Everybody and their dog is tired of this,” Mullins said. “Tim will work to bring the factions together and provide some continuity to beat the Democrats.”