Kansas voters go to the polls Tuesday to select nominees in races in both Republican Party and Democratic Party primaries. Here’s a look at the players in the contested statewide and area races.

Governor

Click to see full-size Congressional districts map.

Tuesday’s primary is a three-way race among Republicans Dave Kerr of Hutchinson, Bob Knight of Wichita and Tim Shallenburger of Baxter Springs. Dan Bloom of Eudora withdrew from the race Friday. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Kathleen Sebelius in the November general election.

Dave Kerr

Republican, Hutchinson

Age: 57

Family: Married to Patty; sons Ryan and Dan attend Kansas University.

Religion: Presbyterian, First Presbyterian Church of Hutchinson.

Click to see full-size State Board of Education districts map.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in biological science, bachelor’s degree in psychology, Kansas State University, 1968; master’s in business administration, Kansas University, 1970.

Occupation: Farmer, investor.

Political and governmental experience: Kansas Senate, 1985-present. Former chairman of the Ways & Means, Education and Economic Development committees.

Issues: Kerr has emphasized education and economic development during the campaign. He is anti-abortion, but has not been endorsed by Kansas for Life and is generally viewed as a moderate. He has said he would not oppose limited expansion of gambling if approved by local voters.

Bob Knight

Republican, Wichita

Click to see full-size Kansas House districts map.

Age: 61

Family: Married to Jane; three grown daughters, Jennifer, Amy and Kristin.

Religion: Methodist; Chapel Hill Fellowship congregation, Wichita.

Education: Wichita West High School, 1959. bachelor’s degree of arts in political science, Wichita State University, 1970.

Occupation: Mayor of Wichita.

Political and governmental experience: 23 years on the Wichita City Council, including seven terms as mayor; Kansas Secretary of Commerce and Housing (1992-94). Former president of the National League of Cities and Kansas League of Municipalities.

Issues: Knight has promised to protect education and social services against spending cuts, even should it mean raising taxes. He is anti-abortion but has not been endorsed by Kansans for Life. He has been critical of Westar Energy management and has said the state needs a comprehensive energy plan. He wouldn’t oppose limited expansion of gambling.

Tim Shallenburger

Republican, Baxter Springs

Age: 48

Click to see full-size Polling places map.

Family: Married to Linda; daughter Candace, 21.

Religion: Protestant, Apostolic Faith Church in Galena.

Education: Baxter Springs High School, 1972; attended Pittsburg State University and Coffeyville Community College.

Occupation: State treasurer.

Political and governmental experience: Elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, 1986. House speaker 1994-1999. State treasurer, 1999-present.

Issues: Shallenburger is considered the most conservative candidate in the race. He is the only candidate who has pledged to not raise taxes. He has been endorsed by the National Rifle Assn. and Kansans for Life. He opposes expanding gambling. During his tenure in the Kansas House he had a 100 percent voting record with organized labor.

Attorney general

Tuesday’s primary is a three-way race between Republicans David Adkins of Leawood, Phill Kline of Shawnee and Charles D. McAtee of Topeka. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Chris Biggs of Geary County in the November general election.

David Adkins

Republican, Leawood

Age: 41

Family: Married to Lisa, one daughter, Nell, 1.

Religion: United Methodist. Also attends Jewish synagogue with his wife.

Education: Seaman High School, Topeka, 1979; bachelor’s degree of arts in political science, Kansas University, 1983; law degree, KU, 1986.

Occupation: Lawyer, legislator

Political and governmental experience: Elected to Kansas Senate 2000; Kansas House of Representatives 1992-2000; former Kansas Youth Authority Chairman; current member of the Kansas Sentencing Commission; Kansas Children’s Cabinet; chairman of the Kansas Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; KU student body president, 1981-82.

Issues: Adkins is a pro-choice moderate. He favors the death penalty and promises to pursue justice and fight crime. He backed no-call telemarketing legislation in the Senate and in the House voted for SB 323, which allowed early release of some inmates to ease prison crowding.

Phill Kline

Republican, Shawnee

Age: 42

Family: Married to Deborah; one daughter, Hillary, 10.

Religion: Protestant. Attends Central Nazarene Church in Lenexa.

Education: Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, 1978; bachelor’s degree of sciences in public relations and political science, Central Missouri State University, 1982; law degree, Kansas University, 1987.

Occupation: Lawyer, small business owner.

Political and governmental experience: Kansas House of Representatives 1992-2000; four years as chairman of the House Taxation Committee and one year as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Issues: Adkins is an anti-abortion conservative. He favors the death penalty and promises to pursue justice and fight crime. While in the House he voted against Senate Bill 323, which allowed early release of some inmates to ease prison crowding.

Charles D. McAtee

Republican, Topeka

Age: 74

Family: Married to Norma Badgley-McAtee; a son, a stepdaughter, a stepson, two stepgrandchildren.

Religion: Methodist, no particular congregation.

Education: Mahaska High School, 1946; AB degree Washburn University, 1950; law degree Washburn University, 1955.

Occupation: Lawyer, farmer

Political and governmental experience: Special agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1955-59; Assistant U.S. attorney, district of Kansas, 1960-61; pardon and parole attorney and administrative assistant to the governor of Kansas, 1961-64; director of penal institutions, 1964-69; first assistant U.S. attorney, district of Kansas, 1969-70.

Issues: McAtee supports the death penalty. He supervised the execution of the last four men legally hanged in Kansas. He has run a low-profile, low-budget campaign, saying voters should choose “qualifications over glitz.”

Insurance Commissioner

Tuesday’s primary is a three-way race among incumbent Republican Sen. Sandy Praeger of Lawrence and Republican challengers David Powell of El Dorado and Bryan Riley of Wichita. The winner will face Democrat Jim Garner of Coffeyville in the November general election.

David Powell

Republican, El Dorado

Age: 56

Family: Married; three children

Religion: Jewish

Education: Undergraduate degree in education, University of Nebraska

Occupation: Owns and operates insurance agency and financial consulting and planning service for past 25 years.

Political and governmental experience: None

Issues: Increasing the number of insurance companies doing business in Kansas to have a competitive environment and lower rates, and focusing on his experience as an agent.

Sandy Praeger

Republican, Lawrence

Age: 57

Family: Married; two children

Religion: Presbyterian

Education: Undergraduate degree in education from Kansas University

Occupation: Health-care consultant

Political and governmental experience: Member of Kansas Senate since 1992; member of Kansas House from 1990-92; served on Lawrence City Commission and was mayor from 1986 to 87; member of numerous community boards and commissions.

Issues: Increasing availability of insurance to make rates more competitive; instituting ways to cover more people who are uninsured.

Bryan Riley

Republican, Wichita

Age: 37

Family: Single

Religion: Disciples of Christ

Education: Undergraduate degree in economics from Kansas State; graduate degree in economics, University of Southern California

Occupation: Operates long-term care insurance business

Political and governmental experience: Ran unsuccessfully for insurance commissioner in 1998; has worked for conservative research groups.

Issues: Increasing availability of insurance to increase competition and reducing mandated coverage.

Treasurer

Tuesday’s primary is a two-way race between Republicans Lynn Jenkins of Topeka and Dennis Wilson of Overland Park. The winner will face Democrat Sally Finney of Olathe in the November general election.

Lynn Jenkins

Republican, Topeka

Age: 40

Family: Married; two children

Religion: Methodist

Education: Associate degree in business administration at Kansas State University, undergraduate degree in accounting at Weber State College

Occupation: Certified public accountant

Political and governmental experience: Member of Kansas House, 1998-2000; currently member of Kansas Senate.

Issues: Returning unclaimed property and promoting college savings program.

Dennis Wilson

Republican, Overland Park

Age: 51

Family: Married; one child

Religion: Protestant

Education: Kansas City Southeast High School

Occupation: Johnson County treasurer

Political and governmental experience: served in Kansas House 1995-99; former director of unclaimed property division and director of administration in state Treasurer’s Office.

Issues: Promoting the college savings program, return of unclaimed property and focusing on his experience.

Board of Education 1st District

Tuesday’s primary is a two-way race between incumbent Democrat Janet Waugh of Kansas City and Democrat challenger Hershel Martin of Kansas City.

Hershel Martin

Democrat, Kansas City

Age: 60

Family: Married; two children

Religion: Not available

Education: Not available

Occupation: Retired math teacher; adjunct instructor at Kansas City Kansas Community College

Political and governmental experience: Has run for community college board and Board of Public Utilities.

Issues: End social promotions; provide better administrative support for teachers.

Janet Waugh

Democrat, Kansas City

Age: 60

Family: Widowed; two children

Religion: Lutheran

Education: Attended Kansas City Kansas Community College

Occupation: Used car dealer

Political and governmental experience: member of Kansas Board of Education for past four years; served on Turner district school board for 15 years.

Issues: Need to increase school funding, students’ academic achievements, and teacher salaries and benefits.

U.S. Congress

3rd District

Tuesday’s primary is a two-way race between Republicans Adam Taff of Lake Quivira and Jeff Colyer of Overland Park. The winner of the primary will face incumbent Democrat Dennis Moore of Overland Park in the November general election.

Adam Taff

Republican, Lake Quivira

Age: 37

Family: Single

Education: Undergraduate degree in economics, Benedictine College, Atchison, attended Kansas University Law School.

Occupation: United Airlines pilot; flight instructor in U.S. Naval Reserve

Political and governmental experience: None

Issues: Opposes school vouchers; supports tax relief for small business; vows to protect Social Security benefits; supports passage of prescription drug benefit. Opposes late-term abortion except in cases involving health of the mother.

Dr. Jeff Colyer

Republican, Overland Park

Age: 42

Family: Married, three children

Education: Undergraduate degree in pre-medicine and economics, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.; master’s degree in international relations, University of Cambridge, England; medical degree, Kansas University Medical School.

Occupation: Surgeon

Political and governmental experience: Chairman of Johnson County GOP Committee for Bush-Cheney ticket.

Issues: Supports school vouchers and tax relief for middle-income families. Vows to defend Social Security benefits; supports passage of prescription drug benefit. Would vote to ban partial-birth abortions; opposes human cloning, whether for research or reproductive purposes.

U.S. Senate

Tuesday’s primary is a two-way race between incumbent Republican Pat Roberts of Dodge City and Republican challenger Tom Oyler of Wichita. The winner will face George Cook of the Reform Party and Steven Rosile of the Libertarian Party in the November general election.

Pat Roberts

Republican, Dodge City

Age: 66

Family: Married, three children

Education: Undergraduate degree in journalism, Kansas State University

Occupation: Politician

Political and governmental experience: Aide to U.S. Sen. Frank Carlson, R-Kansas; administrative assistant to U.S. Rep. Keith Sebelius, R-Kan.; elected to Congress in 1980, succeeding Sebelius. Elected to Senate in 1996.

Issues: Believes nation’s farm policies ought to be based more on free trade, less on subsidies. Supports increased spending on science and technology, vows to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Tom Oyler

Republican, Wichita

Age: 57

Family: Single

Education: Undergraduate degree, Wichita State University.

Occupation: Retired Boeing Co. engineer, farmer.

Political and governmental experience: Unsuccessfully ran against then-U.S. Rep. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., in 1996 for the Senate seat vacated by Nancy Kassebaum Baker, who retired; ran against Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., in 1998 as a Libertarian.

Issues: Says he’ll try to rescind big government’s attacks on smokers, overeaters, meat eaters, fur wearers, gun owners, farmers, and “any other bunch that has been marked by gangs of anti-freedom hucksters spewing their lies and hatred, endorsed and supported by our government, for taxation and condemnation.”

Kansas House

There are primary races for three Lawrence-area seats in the Kansas House. They are in the 38th, 45th and 53rd districts.

38th District

Rob Boyer

Republican, Olathe

Age: 33

Family: Married, three children, ages 1, 7 and 8.

Education: Undergraduate degree in Russian studies and history; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Co.; working on a master’s degree in international affairs at Georgetown University, Washington. D.C.

Occupation: Owns Shred-It paper shredding and recycling franchises in Kansas, Missouri, Idaho and Utah.

Political and governmental experience: None

Issues: Supports public schools and economic development along Kansas Highway 10 corridor, pro-choice.

Shannan Nelson

Republican, Shawnee

Age: 33

Family: Married, three children.

Education: Undergraduate degree, Union College, Lincoln, Neb.; master’s in business administration, MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe.

Occupation: Financial officer at Olson Manufacturing, Shawnee.

Political and governmental experience: None

Issues: Strongly opposes increasing taxes; backs a one-time, $350 million cut in general fund spending; wants to make state more “business friendly”; pro-life; opposes gun control; supports longer prison sentences.

45th District

Tom Sloan

Republican, Lawrence

Age: 56

Family: Married, three children.

Education: Undergraduate degree in political science and economics, Syracuse University; master’s degree in political science, Michigan State University; doctorate in international relations, University of North Carolina.

Occupation: Consultant, farmer.

Political and governmental experience: Eight years in the Kansas House.

Issues: Willing to raise taxes; supports public education and pay raises for state employees; strong on environmental issues; supporter of alternative energy development.

Melissa Boisen

Republican, Lawrence

Age: 41

Family: Married, two children.

Education: Undergraduate degree in psychology, University of Iowa; master’s in human development, Kansas University; doctorate in child psychology, KU.

Occupation: Child advocate.

Political and governmental experience: Four years lobbying for regional foster-care contractor The Farm.

Issues: Wants to make children’s issues the state’s No. 1 priority; wouldn’t support a tax increase until making sure state has exhausted its access to federal support and programs.

53rd District

LaVern Abney

Republican, Topeka

Age: 66

Family: Married, four children, 2 grandchildren.

Education: Accounting classes at Washburn University.

Occupation: Retired, city of Topeka water department.

Political and governmental experience: Ran for 53rd District seat in 2000, defeated in primary.

Issues: Supports more jobs, better schools and affordable health care. Resists making promises because “people have been lied to enough.”

Douglas Desch

Republican, Berryton

Age: 35

Family: Married, two children

Education: Attended Washburn University and Johnson County Community College

Occupation: Fee appraiser.

Political and governmental experience: None.

Issues: Against raising taxes; doubts that spending more on schools will improve education; opposes gun control; against late-term abortions; favors clean water but concerned that government tends to go “overboard” when it regulates.

Franklin County Commission

There are primaries for the 4th District and 5th District seats. For an open seat in the 4th District, there is a three-way primary among Republicans Max Attebery, Milton Farris and Donald C. Hay, all of Ottawa. In the 5th District, there is a two-way primary between incumbent Republican Don Stottlemire of Rantoul and Republican challenger Jerry Harnden of Wellsville. The winner of that contest will face Democrat Chet Leach of Rantoul in the November general election.

4th District

Max Attebery

Republican, Ottawa

Age: 47

Family: Married to Joan; three adult children, George Covey, Dava Kava and Tracy Meyers.

Religion: Spiritualist.

Education: Gardner High School, 1972. Attended Southern Illinois University and National University, National City, Calif.

Occupation: Locksmith, Keyman Locksmith Service, Ottawa. Retired in 1994 as a senior chief petty officer after 22 years in the U.S. Navy.

Political and governmental experience: Member, Ottawa Planning Commission, 1999-2002.

Issues: Boost efficiency in county spending; sell county’s office annex; fully finance and complete county’s highway improvement program.

Milton Farris

Republican, Ottawa

Age: 74

Family: Single

Religion: Member, First Christian Church of Ottawa.

Education: Attended Ottawa High School in 1940s, never graduated.

Occupation: Farmer.

Political and governmental experience: Member, Marais des Cygnes Drainage District Board, 1988-present; member, Ottawa Co-op Board of Directors, 1988-1997.

Issues: “If you ain’t been there, you can’t have many, so I don’t,” he said. But he would like to hold the line on property taxes.

Donald C. Hay

Republican, Ottawa

Age: 73

Family: Married to Marilyn; three grown children, Pamela Phillimore, Wesley Hay and Donna Sill.

Religion: Protestant; member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Ottawa.

Education: Wellsville High School, 1947; attended Ottawa University, 1949, and Kansas State University, 1950.

Occupation: Farmer, retired banker.

Political and governmental experience: Franklin County Republican Party chairman, 1976 to 1984; precinct committee member, 1972 to 1984; attended and served as an alternate delegate to Republican National Convention in Detroit, 1980.

Issues: Promote “honesty and integrity” to commission proceedings; reduce number of commission executive sessions; find a use for condemned Ottawa school building.

5th District

Jerry Harnden

Republican, Wellsville

Age: 61

Family: Married to DeeAnn; two grown children, Marianne Boeh and Jonathan Harnden.

Religion: United Methodist.

Education: Shawnee Mission North High School, 1959; bachelor’s degree in sociology, Baker University, 1963; master of divinity, St. Paul School of Theology, in Kansas City, Mo., 1966; doctor of divinity, Baker University, 2000.

Occupation: Farmer, “semi-retired” pastor, landlord.

Political and governmental experience: Member, Ottawa school board, 1984-1988; member, Richmond City Council, 1969-1970.

Issues: Manage balance between rural and urban pressures; encourage business and population growth; keep focus on big picture rather than micromanage government’s day-to-day operations.

Donald Stottlemire

Republican, Rantoul

Age: 54

Family: Married to Rebecca; two grown sons, Rodney and Tony.

Religion: Baptist; member, Ruhamah Baptist Church, rural Rantoul.

Education: Richmond High School, 1965; received vocational degree from U.S. Trade School, Kansas City, Mo., 1967.

Occupation: Franklin County commissioner; co-owner, Tri S Lumber, Rantoul; co-owner, Stottlehoff Homes, Ottawa; owner, Don’s Home Service, rural Rantoul.

Political and governmental experience: member, Franklin County Commission, 2001-present; member, Franklin County Rural Conservation and Development Board, 2001-present; member, Lake Region Solid Waste Authority, 2001-present; member, Franklin County Planning Commission, 1998-2000.

Issues: Preserve and enhance rural fire protection; provide service to growing areas of community; continue expansion of hard-surface roads.

Jefferson County Commission

Tuesday’s primary is a three-way race for the open 1st District seat among Republicans Lynn Luck of Oskaloosa, George Mathews of McLouth and G.W. Meyer of Oskaloosa. The winner of that contest will face Democrat Glen Phillips of Perry in the November general election.

Lynn Luck

Republican, Oskaloosa

Age: 53

Family: Married to Chris; two grown children, Mathew and Lizabeth Stecklein.

Religion: Episcopal.

Education: Shawnee Mission East High School, 1967; attending community development classes at Kansas University.

Occupation: Director, Jefferson County Service Organization, Oskaloosa.

Political and governmental experience: Member and past president, Coordinated Transit District No. 3, 1994-present.

Issues: Standardize construction of new roads and maintenance of existing roads; emphasize consistency in land-use and zoning issues; eliminate waste in government and maintain a low tax rate.

George Mathews

Republican, McLouth

Age: 67

Family: Married to Rita; two adult children, Russell Mathews and Jeanelle Carey.

Religion: Methodist; member, First United Methodist Church of McLouth.

Education: Lecompton High School, 1953; bachelor’s degree of science in agriculture (landscape architecture), Kansas State University, 1957.

Occupation: Jefferson County commissioner. Retired in 1984 after 37 years as a state employee, including 13 years for the Kansas Department of Transportation and 24 years at the commerce department, where he had been tourism director.

Political and governmental experience: Member, Jefferson County Commission, 1998-present; member, McLouth school board, eight years during 1980s; trustee, Sarcoxie Township, 1996-1998.

Issues: Encourage economic development to cut tax rate; improve transportation and roads; encourage long-term planning and zoning.

G.W. (George) Meyer

Republican, Oskaloosa

Age: 48

Family: Married to Connie; six adult children, Travis Wright, Scott A. Wright, Katie Meyer, Ginger Meyer, Chris Calovich and Jamie Tickles.

Religion: Methodist; member, United Methodist Church of McLouth.

Education: Oskaloosa High School, 1971.

Occupation: Self-employed rancher and farmer.

Political and governmental experience: None.

Issues: Cut spending and waste in county’s road and bridge operations; encourage flexibility in planning and zoning; cut property-tax rate through elimination of waste.