Topeka ? Three candidates have emerged in the race to become the next chairman of the Kansas Republican Party.

They are Tim Huelskamp, a state senator from Fowler; Kris Kobach, a law professor and former candidate for the congressional district that includes east Lawrence; and Mike Pompeo, a Wichita businessman.

The three are vying to replace Tim Shallenburger, who completed a two-year term and decided not to seek re-election. The election will be later this month during Kansas Day activities in Topeka.

Huelskamp is considered a conservative leader in the Legislature, while Pompeo is co-founder of Thayer Aerospace and president of Sentry International, an oilfield equipment business.

Kobach, of Overland Park, teaches at the University of Missouri-Kansas City school of law. He lost a bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, a Democrat, in 2004.