Topeka ? Fundraising in the Republican Party primary for the 2nd Congressional District shows the classic conservative-moderate split in the Kansas GOP.

Conservatives are opening their wallets to former U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, while State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins is getting moderates’ support.

“This is going to be another iteration of just what we have seen going on in the Republican Party,” said Mark Peterson, chairman of Washburn University’s political science department. “The conservatives and the moderates in the Republican Party are at war with one another.”

Spokesmen for each campaign say their candidates are attracting support from both sides, but that is more the exception than the rule.

Ryun and Jenkins are battling for the right to carry the Republican banner in November 2008 against U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Topeka, who last year defeated five-term congressman Ryun. The district includes western Lawrence, Topeka, Manhattan and much of southeastern Kansas.

Ryun’s contributors include a “Who’s Who” list of social conservative individuals and political action committees.

For example, he received $5,000 from Koch Industries Political Action Committee and $4,600 from James and Cecelia Leininger of San Antonio.

Koch Industries is the Wichita-based corporation headed by the Koch family, longtime supporters of conservative causes. Businessman James Leininger is a well-known supporter of private school vouchers who has spent millions of dollars in campaigns in Texas backing conservative politicians.

Last month, Ryun collected about $15,000 at a Texas fundraiser with assistance from Texas Gov. Rick Perry, according to Ryun’s spokesman Kyle Robertson.

“There are supporters there who think Jim Ryun will restore fiscal discipline back to the House of Representatives,” Robertson said.

The fundraiser was held at the home of Sara and Jimmy Mansour, an Austin, Texas, businessman and school voucher advocate.

Meanwhile, Jenkins, a two-term state treasurer and former state legislator, is picking up the support of moderates.

This includes $4,600 from Barbara and Steve Cloud of Lenexa. Steve Cloud is the Republican national committeeman who recently was the target of a resolution by the Kansas Republican Party to have him removed from the Republican National Committee. Cloud has often crossed swords with conservative Republicans.

Jenkins has also received $4,600 from moderate Jack Ranson of Wichita; $5,000 each from the Republican Leadership Council and Republican Main Street Partnership; and $1,000 from the Republican Majority for Choice.

Ryun spokesman Robertson described the Republican Majority for Choice, which supports a woman’s right to have an abortion, as more like “New York moderates” than Kansas moderates.

But Pat Leopold, a spokesman for Jenkins’ campaign, said Jenkins is appealing to a wide range of Republicans.

“Her message of lower taxes and lower spending is resonating. This is a story of Kansans of all stripes coming together to find a candidate that they can support and believe can go to Congress,” he said.

Peterson, the Washburn professor, said the two candidates represent different views within the Republican Party of the role of government.

He said Jenkins represents the wing of the party that believes government can be used to help people. As evidence of that, he points to her work to expand Learning Quest, an education savings program that helps Kansans pay for college.

He said Ryun comes from the “Grover Norquist” wing of the party, referring to the conservative activist who has championed for years for less government.

Peterson said Jenkins may also be getting support from more pragmatic Republicans who were disappointed with the way Ryun handled his 2006 election campaign.