Republican gubernatorial candidate Sam Brownback (left) talks Wednesday with Tony Mattia, a pastor from Wamego, during a campaign stop in Wamego.

Education, government spending, and the economy were some of the issues on the minds of supporters of Sam Brownback who turned out Wednesday to see the Republican candidate.

Tracey Bearman and daughter Brooklyn

Ron Sarinana

Linda Highland

Robert Busby

Gail Lortscher

Holly Friesen

In Wamego, Tracey Bearman, held her 6-month-old daughter Brooklyn, and listened to Brownback and his running mate state Sen. Jeff Colyer speak at Juli’s coffee shop.

Asked by the Lawrence Journal-World what she thought was the top issue facing the state, Bearman said education was important, but added, “It’s all about the family. It all stems from the family.”

Bearman has four children and owns Kaw Valley Exterminator with her husband.

Brownback, who embarked on a four-day campaign tour, faces Democrat Tom Holland in the Nov. 2 general election.

Ron Sarinana, a retired Los Angeles police officer, who moved to Wamego to be with family, said creating jobs was the most important thing the next governor should work on.

“This state needs more employment,” he said.

Linda Highland of Wamego said she believes the education system should be reformed. A former teacher, Highland said teachers are required to spend too much time on paperwork.

She said streamlining schools and getting rid of the federal No Child Left Behind requirements would be a good start. “I wish No Child Left Behind was left behind,” she said.

In Manhattan, Robert Busby, who is in the Army and has served in Iraq, said he was concerned about the economy and schools.

Busby disagreed with taking federal stimulus dollars for schools, saying that reduced local control of education. He and his wife home-school their two teen-aged daughters.

Gail Lortscher of Manhattan said she is worried that the Manhattan economy, which has been one of the bright spots in the state, is starting to slow down.

And Lortscher, who owns Little Apple Amusement, says she is tired of increases in government spending. “Spend, spend, spend — I don’t want to hear that anymore,” she said.

Holly Friesen of Manhattan said her major concerns are improving the rural economy and getting people educated about the U.S. Constitution and the limited powers of the federal government.

Friesen, who home-schooled her three daughters, also said it is important for leaders to listen to ideas from the people. “I’m real tired of mandates from the feds,” she said.