TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has ordered the state to remove U.S. Senate Democratic nominee Chad Taylor's name from the ballot, in a ruling that could influence the national fight for control of the Senate. The court's decision today (THURS) leaves Democrats without a nominee, potentially making it easier for independent candidate Greg Orman to defeat three-term Republican incumbent Sen. Pat Roberts. The GOP has counted on Roberts winning re-election on Nov. 4 as they seek to recapture a Senate majority. Taylor withdrew from the race to avoid a split of anti-Roberts votes. But Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who backs Roberts, declared that Taylor didn't fully comply with a state election law in submitting his letter of withdrawal. The Supreme Court says Taylor's formal letter was sufficient.
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The state's top elections official, says Democrats must name a new candidate, adding more uncertainty to a race that could affect Republican hopes to win a Senate majority. Speaking minutes after the state high court decision, Secretary of State Kris Kobach said he is giving Democrats until noon next Friday to pick a new candidate. The U.S. Justice Department has agreed to allow Kansas a week's delay in mailing ballots to military overseas. Some Democrats had nudged party nominee Chad Taylor to withdraw from the race in the hope that independent Greg Orman would have a better chance to defeat three-term Republican Sen. Pat Roberts.