Topeka Former Atty. Gen. Carla Stovall, a Republican, today endorsed Democrat Paul Morrison for attorney general.

Morrison faces Atty. Gen. Phill Kline, a Republican, in the Nov. 7 election.

“There is a time for partisan loyalty. And there is a time to take a principled stand. Now is that time and I stand with Paul Morrison,” Stovall said.

Stovall served as attorney general for two terms, from 1995 through 2002. She was considered a front-runner Republican candidate for governor in 2002 but then dropped out saying she had lost her desire to campaign. She later announced she was getting married.

Stovall’s endorsement of the Democrat Morrison represents another setback for Kline in trying to get support from his own party. Kline is considered a conservative Republican, while Stovall was a moderate Republican.

“I am grateful for the support of Gen. Stovall,” Morrison said. “She, like myself, always makes the safety of our state her top priority,” he said.

Morrison, the Johnson County district attorney, had been a Republican until last year when he switched parties so he could run against Kline in the general election.

Recently, former Atty. Gen. Bob Stephan, also a Republican, left as an assistant to Kline, saying he was disturbed by Kline’s use of churches for fund-raising. Kline has denied any impropriety.