The verdict is still out on who will get the most votes in the Kansas attorney general’s race.

But in the money race – getting campaign contributions – Democrat Paul Morrison was a clear winner in Lawrence over Republican incumbent Phill Kline, according to recent state campaign reports.

A check this week of reports filed Oct. 30 with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission shows that Kline had raised $613,776 from July 21 through Oct. 26 throughout the state.

Morrison, a former moderate Republican who became a Democrat to run against Kline, had picked up $1.25 million for his statewide campaign during the same period.

A check through the hundreds of contributions that came in to each candidate in the way of checks, cash and credit cards showed Morrison mopped up in Lawrence compared with Kline.

“I’m not surprised at that,” said Allan Cigler, a Kansas University professor of political science who has analyzed state races for 35 years.

“Kline’s not very popular here among the moderate Republican wing that sort of dominates the local political scene,” Cigler said.

Kline, a conservative, represents the evangelical Christian wing of the GOP, “and that’s not a wing that has ever been a big money wing,” Cigler said.

When the Christian conservative wing has dominated, it has done so through grassroots organization, rather than with big campaign contributions, he said.

Kline had one $1,000 donor; two who donated $500; six who gave him between $300 and $150; and seven who shelled out at least $100. He also had several that provided smaller amounts.

Several of those donating to his campaign were past Republican Party officials, including Chris Miller, a local attorney, and Morris Kay, former regional director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

A look through Morrison’s contribution lists showed he was given $2,000 by five donors, including two individuals, Michael Treanor, an architect, and Claude Rowland, a consultant; and three businesses, First Management Inc., People’s Bank, and Cork & Barrel, LLC.

A local attorney, Tom Gleason, gave Morrison $1,500.

And 14 Lawrence residents and businesses each provided Morrison with $1,000 contributions: Gordon Penny, retired; Consolidated Properties of Lawrence; Roger Fincher, attorney; Doug Compton, corporation president; Gaudreau Quinton Enterprises Inc.; John R. Davis, director/arts educator; Dan Watkins, attorney; Thomas M. Devlin; John G. Heleniak; James Haines, CEO; Joseph G. Hollowell, physician; William J. Long, no occupation listed; Sarah Dean, retired; and David Darwin, professor.

Another 12 local residents gave Morrison gifts between $500 and $750.

Thirty-two people gave Morrison between $250 and $400 in gifts.

And about 50 others gave Morrison between $100 and $200 in contributions.