HE’LL ALWAYS HAVE KANSAS

He may have lost the night, but at least Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney can say he laid claim to Kansas. Romney pulled about 60 percent of the vote in the Sunflower State, reversing any Democratic momentum from President Barack Obama’s relatively strong showing in the state in 2008.

EASY WINS FOR INCUMBENTS

There was no drama in the U.S. House races, where all four Kansas incumbents coasted to re-election. Two-term Rep. Lynn Jenkins had the most spirited challenge in the 2nd District of eastern Kansas but defeated Topeka minister Tobias Schlingensiepen.

HOW’S BROWNBACK DOING?

His name wasn’t anywhere on the ballot, but the night was as much about Gov. Sam Brownback and his agenda for the state as anything else. A slew of state Senate races would determine his control of that chamber. According to voters surveyed in exit polls, more than half said they approved of the former U.S. senator and the job he’s doing in Kansas. Men more favorably viewed the job being done by Brownback than women.

YOU MAY HAVE MISSED THIS …

Late Tuesday afternoon as Kansans prepared for an evening of election watching, state officials and university economists issued a new financial forecast predicting the state will collect nearly $705 million less in revenues during the fiscal year that begins in July 2013 than it will during this fiscal year, as massive income tax cuts enacted this year take effect. Legislative researchers immediately projected a budget shortfall of $328 million, raising questions about one of Brownback’s key initiatives in his first term — even as business leaders push the governor for even deeper tax cuts.

DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCES FAIL

Voters in two Kansas communities turned back proposals to protect people from discrimination based on sexual orientation. In Salina, about 54 percent of voters Tuesday supported repeal of an anti-discrimination ordinance approved by the City Commission in June. And in Hutchinson, voters turned down a local proposal banning discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals in housing, employment and public accommodations.