David Miller (Kansas politician)

Miller was elected the Chairman of the Kansas Republican party in January 1995.[3] During his time as chairman he sought to mitigate the influence and power of the party's moderate wing by seeking to replace all the party's moderates with social conservatives.[3] He would resign May 7, 1998 to challenge incumbent Republican governor Bill Graves in the primary.[3]

Miller has been a member of various Christian groups in Kansas including the Mustard Seed Christian Fellowship, he served as Director of the Kansans For Life Political Action Committee from 1991 to 1995 and was Chairman of the Christian Coalition of Kansas from 1994 to 1996.[3] The election was seen as part of a larger nationwide battle between moderates and conservatives if the focus of the Republican party should be economic issues or social issues. The race was also noted as Graves was one of the most popular Republican governors in the country and was being challenged by his state's Republican party.Both Graves and Miller campaigned heavily in the state's suburbs seeking to win over the mostly white, religious and middle class demographic backbone of the Kansas Republican party. With Graves focusing on the state's growing economy under his tenure, with Miller focusing on his lack of support on conservative social issues.[4][5] Graves would handily defeat Miller 72.8% to 27.2%[1] His defeat would see a massive statewide resurgence of the moderate wing of the Kansas Republican party.[5]