Here in KS, we have dealt with our share of RINOs (from Eisenhower forward to Nancy Landon Kassebaum) and they'd rather vote for Satan himself before they'd elect a pro-life conservative.
I say "pro-life" simply because that is the ONE huge dividing line between us, though they aren't keen on guns, hate school choice, loathe the Defense of Marriage Act.
KS RINOs claim to be "fiscal conservatives" (yet they also cling to the liberal versions of the above items) but Kassebaum voted like Teddy Kennedy when she served in the Senate from KS! So much for the "fiscal conservative" drivel.
The end result for people desiring to run for office in KS in the GOP, the real killer to the nomination is, "are you pro-life?" If you answer yes to that one, you might as well realize that those RINOs will run some RINO/mod against you in a Primary election and pour millions into the race for the RINO. Should you be fortunate enough to win against their heavily funded RINO, they will vote for the dimocRAT!
Case in point, KS 3rd District ran Kris Kobach, the Constitutional Law professor that files lawsuits on behalf of those fighting tuition for illegals, no photo IDs for voting, etc., he ran in the 3rd District to beat a worthless dim only to have the RINOs run one of their own, who lost to Kris, then they go out and support the dim anyway - anything but a "creepy pro-lifer."
It has been this way for decades - probably since Reagan, if not at least Eisenhower!
Somehow I have trouble accepting your premise. KS is known for electing pro-lifers. Brownback is knwon as being staunching pro-life and KS has elected him to both being their senator and now their governor.