Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has been named one of the five best governors in the nation by Time magazine.

Sebelius, a Democrat, was elected in 2002 “by winning the governor’s race in a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats almost 2 to 1,” the magazine said Sunday in a news release.

“Through spending cuts, fee increases and some borrowing, Sebelius was able to balance Kansas’ budget in her first year in office without raising taxes or cutting funding for education,” the magazine said.

Sebelius sees the magazine’s recognition as a reflection of everything Kansas and its people have to offer, said Nicole Corcoran, the governor’s spokeswoman.

“Governor Sebelius is humbled and gratified to have her leadership recognized by a venerable national publication like Time magazine,” Corcoran said. “She’s especially grateful for the magazine’s recognition of her work to control state spending, streamline government and improve Kansas’ public schools.”

Also named in the magazine’s top five governors in this week’s issue were Kenny Guinn of Nevada, Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, Janet Napolitano of Arizona and Mark Warner of Virginia.

Time’s worst governors were Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana, Bob Taft of Ohio and South Carolina’s Mark Sanford.

Time magazine said in compiling the lists its editors consulted academics, political analysts and former governors.