Today, the 17th day before the Aug. 7 Kansas Republican primary, saw Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and Robba Moran -- the Board of Regent and wife of the senator -- out walking door to door with state Senate candidate Jim Denning, a key Republican tells The Star.

Denning is matched against incumbent state Sen. Tim Owens of Overland Park. Owens is one of the moderates facing a stiff challenge from a conservative as conservatives seek to take over control of the state Senate.

Sen. Jerry Moran supposedly has not endorsed in the race, but the act of his wife meeting voters with Denning sends a clear message.

Consider this payback. Some Republicans are saying the entire Kansas congressional delegation is holding Owens responsible for the redistricting mess.

Owens is chair of the committee that handled the process, which wound up in the hands of federal judges after lawmakers couldn't agree on boundary lines for the state House and Senate and members of the U.S. House.