If it weren't for the earnest, hard-working campaign staffs attempting to derail Sam Brownback's inevitable walk through the front door of Cedar Crest, the latest financial reports would be laughable.

Monday's campaign finance reports were the last that will be available prior to Tuesday's election. Sen. Brownback, R-Kan., is sitting on almost $1.2 million. His opponent in the Republican primary, Joan Heffington of Derby, has negative $11,569. That doesn't amount to even token opposition. If Heffington receives more than 5 percent of the votes Election Day, we will be shocked.

Once the primary contest is over, the gubernatorial race heads into the home stretch for November's general election. Brownback's rival will be Tom Holland, the state senator from Baldwin City.

Holland has had more fund-raising fortune than Heffington. At this point, Holland has a cash balance of slightly more than $100,000.

"We have more than enough money to get our message out," Holland said.

While that might be true, it will not be enough money to defeat Brownback. Not to be too discouraging, but the two-term U.S. senator hasn't even had to campaign that hard to record a 12:1 cash advantage. And that margin will increase between now and November.

"We've got a good organization in place," Brownback said.

Money doesn't necessarily buy elections, but the magnitude of disparity does not bode well for Democrats wishing to retain the keys to the governor's mansion. Barring any unforeseen campaign blunder or unexpected revelation, Sen. Brownback soon enough will be referred to as Gov. Brownback.

Editorial by Patrick Lowry

plowry@dailynews.net