Topeka ? Kansas Republicans now have a candidate for state treasurer.

Sedgwick County Treasurer Ron Estes filed Friday to run for the office, becoming the first GOP hopeful to jump into the race.

State Treasurer Dennis McKinney, a Democrat, is running to retain the job. He’s the only Democratic candidate so far.

McKinney was appointed treasurer late in 2008, when Republican Lynn Jenkins stepped down after winning a seat in Congress. McKinney is a former Kansas House minority leader.

Estes, of Wichita, was elected Sedgwick County treasurer in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. Before that, he worked as a quality improvement manager for aviation firm Bombardier Learjet.