The appearance of Jean Barnett, mother of Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Barnett, on a Topeka television station Tuesday night brought a warm reaction from a small group of Republicans gathered at party headquarters, 625 Commercial St.
Barnett called his mother to the podium as he prepared to give a speech conceding the election to incumbent Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
As Mrs. Barnett joined her son and family on the dais, talk turned to her dedication to Jim Barnett’s campaign and to the fellow Republicans who worked at party headquarters. She had taken care of them first, before going to the Capital Plaza in Topeka for the Republican party celebration.
“His mother was down here all the time working,” said Chuck Hanna. “Jean Barnett brought cookies in tonight -- and she was going to Topeka.”