I think your badly overstating his state-wide influence back then. He was in his third term and not well known outside of the 1st District. Tiahrt had been in office a term longer and was better known. Besides, Shallenburger had won statewide office 4 years before with 62% of the vote and seemed to be a good candidate for governor. Who knew he'd run such a lousy campaign?
Moran is the better candidate, he will make the better nominee, and will make a great Senator for Kansas. Palin's opinions in the matter notwithstanding.
I remember reading that exact same thing (that Moran could best unite the party) Correct or not some political analyst thought that,.
Wasn’t Shallenburger loathed by some RINO types for being too socially conservative?
Not overstated at all. Moran was the main candidate sought to run to unite the wings and was hardly an unknown. Given that he represented the largest district in the state and was previously the State Senate Majority Leader, he was quite well known. The liberal RINO wing became predictably enraged at the Conservative Shallenburger’s nomination and voted for the hard-left Democrat, so they’re the only ones to blame for his loss.