Republican gubernatorial candidate Sam Brownback and Rep. Lynn Jenkins greet a crowd of supporters as they exit the GOP candidate bus in Lawrence on Wednesday. The Kansas Republican Party’s bus tour stopped by congressional candidate Kevin Yoder's Lawrence headquarters, 123 W. Eighth St.

Republican candidates at a Lawrence rally Wednesday said they were encouraged by voter enthusiasm ahead of Tuesday’s election.

“For the first time in recent memory, you have a united Republican ticket,” GOP gubernatorial candidate Sam Brownback said.

Several candidates addressed dozens of Douglas County Republican supporters at 3rd District congressional candidate Kevin Yoder’s Lawrence campaign office, 123 W. Eighth St., as part of what’s being called the “Clean Sweep Tour.”

Candidates involved who spoke included Brownback, his running mate Jeff Colyer; Yoder and 2nd District Rep. Lynn Jenkins; Derek Schmidt, who’s running for attorney general; and Ron Estes, the GOP’s state treasurer nominee. It’s a four-day bus tour across the state, and they spent most of Wednesday in Johnson and Wyandotte counties.

The candidates emerged from a bus on Eighth Street and made their way into the building with supporters.

Most of the candidates touched on their message for fewer taxes and fewer state and federal regulations, saying they were the key to reducing unemployment numbers.

“Things are a full-blown disaster at this point (in Washington),” said Jenkins, who faces Democrat Cheryl Hudspeth and Libertarian Robert Garrard.

The candidates also mentioned Democratic leaders House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

“We need new leaders to go to Washington and change things,” said Yoder, who faces Democrat Stephene Moore and Libertarian Jasmin Talbert in the 3rd District race.