Jefferson City, Mo. ? Republican U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt is using a Kansas Jayhawk to take a political swipe at Democratic challenger Jason Kander.

When Kander made a campaign stop Tuesday in Jefferson City, Mo., the applauding audience included someone dressed like a Kansas Jayhawk mascot. A Blunt spokesman said later that it was a campaign volunteer.

Blunt’s campaign is trying to make an issue of Kander’s assertion that he is a fifth-generation Missourian.

Kander was born and attended high school in Kansas. But he has made Missouri his home since graduating from Georgetown University law school in 2005.

Kander currently lives in Columbia and also has served in the Missouri National Guard.

Kander said Blunt should be “embarrassed” for having a supporter dress in an animal uniform.