Health care law could be impacting Kan. vote

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Attempts by Kansas conservatives to tie moderate Republicans with President Barack Obama may be resonating with some voters.

The health care law championed by the president has been an issue in Republican primary races for the Kansas Senate because conservatives have suggested that moderate incumbents have not opposed it enough.

In Topeka Tuesday, Republican Kent Schneider, a 55-year-old retired state employee, said he voted for state Rep. Joe Patton against incumbent Sen. Vicky Schmidt mostly because he believes Patton is more opposed to what he called "Obamacare."

At another Topeka precinct, 23-year-old Derek Parrett, a casino supervisor, gave the same reasons for voting for Patton. He described Schmidt as too liberal.

Schmidt has used television ads to link herself with Republican icon Ronald Reagan.