Posted on Tue, Jun. 09, 2009

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Sam Brownback names campaign co-chairs

BY BRENT D. WISTROM

The Wichita Eagle

Wichita City Council member Sue Schlapp and Overland Park lawyer John D. Petersen will co-chair Sen. Sam Brownback's campaign for governor.

The move highlights Brownback's wish to unite the conservative and moderate wings of the party, Schlapp said: She will represent the conservative spectrum while Petersen, former Gov. Bill Graves' finance chair, rallies moderate Republicans.

"The senator has made it clear he wants to get the party united," Schlapp said. "There has been some discussion... that the Republican Party doesn't sometimes agree with itself."

The two also give Brownback advocates in the state's two most populous areas.

Schlapp said she first got to know Brownback when her son, Matt, worked on U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt's campaign.

She said they shared a lot of the same views -- particularly on the government's role in providing a strong business climate.

"It was a natural when he felt I could be of some help and value in his campaign," she said. "I was quite taken back he'd even ask me."

Schlapp said her unpaid role with Brownback's campaign won't interfere with her work on the City Council.

"There are those of us who just love politics and are going to be involved anyway, whether we're named... for any of those jobs," she said.

Brownback and Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh are the only two Republicans to jump into the race thus far.

No Democratic candidates have been announced.

Reach Brent D. Wistrom at 316-268-6228 or bwistrom@wichitaeagle.com.

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