Kansans appear to be taking a wait-and-see attitude when it comes to donating to Republican presidential candidates.
Fewer than 260 Kansans contributed just under $130,000 total to GOP presidential campaigns during the third quarter, according to the Federal Election Commission.
"It's a little early for Kansas to be showing a preference," said Clay Barker, executive director of the Kansas Republican Party. "There are a lot of informed voters who haven't made up their minds."
Nationally, eight candidates still seek the Republican nomination. Kansans won't have a say in the selection process until the state caucuses on March 10, after Super Tuesday primaries in states across the nation.
So far, Kansans have contributed $236,401, split among 10 GOP candidates, including two who have dropped out. Of that, $129,453 was donated by 259 contributors during the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30.
President Barack Obama has received $116,924 from Kansans for his 2012 campaign, including $67,729 from 205 different donors in the third quarter.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry, whose campaign didn't start until mid-August, brought in the most money among the Republican candidates during the third quarter with $41,600. He was also getting the biggest checks because he collected that total from 25 contributors.
Meanwhile, Ron Paul gobbled up the small checks. Of his 95 donors, 71 wrote checks for $100 or less to bring his third-quarter contributions in Kansas to $32,466. Overall, Kansans have donated $46,135.
"Paul has devoted followers in many states," Bob Beatty, political science professor at Washburn University, said of the Texas congressman. "That doesn't mean he wins the election."
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney followed Paul with 42 individual donors, who gave him $22,655 in the third quarter.
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