Dodge City ? Six of the candidates battling for the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius tried to sell themselves Tuesday to the Republican Party faithful.

Seven candidates are running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, although most attention is focused on Sen. Jim Barnett of Emporia; Ken Canfield of Overland Park; and former House Speaker Robin Jennison of Healy.

Barnett, a state senator from Emporia, drew applause from the crowd when he said English should be spoken in the United States. The comments resonated in Dodge City, where cattle-feeding and meatpacking industries have attracted Spanish-speaking immigrants.

Barnett, a physician, stressed his opposition to a state law granting in-state tuition to the children of some illegal immigrants. He said he also is opposed to granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.

“The key word is illegal,” said Barnett.

Canfield, who founded a group that promotes the importance of fathers, used his four minutes to tell the gathering of about 100 that strengthening families is the key to solving many social ills.

He also said gambling and higher state-imposed taxes should be rejected.

“It is passion and principle that will win the hearts of the people,” said Canfield, a political newcomer from the Kansas City-suburb of Overland Park.

Jennison, a former speaker of the Kansas House, focused his attack on the Kansas Supreme Court, specifically for finding the state’s system for funding public education violated the Kansas Constitution.

Former state representative Rex Crowell of Longton defended the court, saying Kansas schools should be among the best in the nation.

“Now, more than ever, it is about education,” he said.

Tim Pickell, who is from another Kansas City suburb of Westwood, said the Republican Party needs to find a way to overcome its divisions. He said Republicans risk having a “liberal Democrat” elected as governor if they fail to overcome their differences on social issues.

Sebelius was elected in 2002 largely because moderate Republicans voted for her over conservative Tim Shallenburger.

Dennis Hawver of Ozawkie, who ran for governor four years ago as a Libertarian candidate, said government has grown far too big.

“I’m basically after the disgusted vote,” he said.

The only Republican candidate not to attend the event was Richard Rodewald of Eudora.

Also attending was Sen. Kay O’Connor, who is challenging incumbent Ron Thornburgh for the secretary of state nomination; state Rep. Eric Carter, who is challenging incumbent Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger; and Sally Cauble, a former teacher who is challenging incumbent Connie Morris for a seat on the State Board of Education.