Freedom Partners Action Fund has reserved air time in the Kansas Senate race, where Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., is fighting for his political life.  

The Koch brothers-backed group placed a $297,100 buy running in various markets from Sept. 24 through Oct. 7, according to numbers provided to CQ Roll Call by a source tracking ad buys.  

From Sept. 24 through Oct. 7, the group reserved $21,200 on Topeka and Wichita broadcast television. From Oct. 1 through Oct. 7, they reserved $4,040 on Joplin cable, $117,025 on Kansas City cable, $1,725 on Line cable, $25,302 on Topeka cable, $2,397 on Tulsa cable, and $62,466 on Wichita cable.  

Koch Industries, the business conglomerate owned by Charles and David Koch, is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas.  

Roberts faces independent candidate Greg Orman, a well-funded candidate who has recently polled very well against Roberts. On Thursday, the state Supreme Court made Roberts’ life harder when they ruled that the Democratic nominee, Chad Taylor, would not appear on the ballot. Taylor ended his campaign earlier this month, but Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican, said he would have to stay on the ballot because his withdrawal notice did not meet the standards required by law. Having Taylor off the ballot is a boon for Orman, as Taylor seemed to draw support predominantly from him. Kobach has said he would consider returning to court to force Democrats to nominate a replacement candidate , and on Thursday evening was backed by fellow Kansan , and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman, Jerry Moran.  

Republicans need to win six states to take control of the Senate. Having the Kansas Senate seat on the table makes that math more difficult.  

Roberts’ campaign had little cash on hand heading into the primary, and presumably ended the primary with even less. Republicans are pulling out the stops to help him: Sens. John McCain and Rand Paul will travel to Kansas to stump for him. Outside groups have, until now, largely stayed out of the race.  

The race is rated Tilts Republican by the Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.  

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