Winfield Daily Courier editorial - July 27, 2010

Our preference in the Republican primary race for the U.S. Senate is Rep. Jerry Moran. Neither he nor our own Rep. Todd Tiahrt has distinguished himself in this campaign.

But Moran's brand of conservatism is a bit more moderate, more balanced, than Tiahrt's.

In the Democratic race, Charles Schollenberger stands out. He knows the issues and is an experienced political hand.

The irony of Tiahrt's troubles as a candidate is that he has done his job too well.

Elected with a new conservative agenda, Tiahrt learned how to bring home the bacon. He brought it home to Cowley County in the form of the Winfield Veterans Home and the Arkansas City levee. He brought it home to Wichita in the form of railroad overpasses, jobs and aviation research grants.

Unfortunately, Tiahrt and his staff got a little too close to some of the defense industries they tried to help - and raise campaign funds from. We believe his race with Moran is closer than some of the polls suggest. Tiahrt is a fighter. He could still pull this thing out.

But we hope Moran wins.