Topeka ? Two rivals for the Republican nomination for Kansas secretary of state are touting endorsements from former state party leaders.

Shawnee County Election Commissioner Elizabeth Ensley has the backing of eight former party chairmen and chairwomen.

They include Donald Schnacke, of Topeka, who served as GOP chairman in 1961 and 1962, and Kim Wells, of Kansas City, who was chairman from 1991 until 1994.

Ensley’s opponents in the Aug. 2 primary are Kris Kobach, of Lake Quivira, and J.R. Claeys, of Salina.

Kobach served as state GOP chairman himself from 2007 to 2009. His campaign steering committee includes former chairmen David Miller and Steve Abrams, who served during the 1990s.