TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Kansans sent Republicans Todd Tiahrt and Jerry Moran back to Congress on Tuesday, while Democrat incumbent Dennis Moore was leading his re-election bid.

However, Republican incumbent Jim Ryun was trailing Democrat challenger Nancy Boyda in their rematch from two years ago.

Tiahrt was leading Democrat Garth McGinn in the state’s 4th District in south-central Kansas by a 68 percent to 30 percent margin. Reform Party candidate Joy Holt was pulling 2 percent. Tiahrt has held the seat since defeating Democrat incumbent Dan Glickman in 1994.

In the 1st District, Moran was leading Democrat John Doll, 78 percent to 21 percent, with Reform Party candidate Sylvester Cain getting 1 percent in early returns.

The call for Tiahrt and Moran in Kansas was based on a number of factors, including voter turnout, previous voting patterns, and a statistical analysis of the vote from voter interviews conducted for The Associated Press by Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International.

Meanwhile, Moore was holding off a challenge from Republican rookie Chuck Ahner, leading 67 percent to 32 percent, in the district comprised of Johnson, Wyandotte and part of Douglas counties. Reform Party candidate Robert Conroy was getting 1 percent.

Boyda was attempting to upset Ryun in the 2nd District, a seat once thought safe for Republicans. But with 36 percent of the precincts reporting Tuesday, Boyda had 54 percent to Ryun’s 44 percent, with Reform Party candidate Roger Tucker getting 2 percent.

Voters in the 2nd District, comprised of all or parts of 26 counties, said Boyda offered a voice of change in Congress. Ginny Honomichl, 58, an unaffiliated voter and Baldwin City High School teacher, was among them.

“I probably thought she was more positive in her campaign. Ryun didn’t do anything until the end,” Honomichl said. “I’m pleased that it’s as close as it is. Maybe it will send a message to him if he is re-elected.”

However, Vern Kyle, an Army veteran and school district employee in Garnett, voted for Ryun because of his support for veterans and the troops currently in uniform.

“He’s always voted for us. He’s backed the troops 100 percent, as far as I’m concerned,” said Kyle, 50, who is unaffiliated so, “I can change my mind.”