Conservative state Sen. Jeff Colyer is the

running mate for Kansas Republican gubernatorial candidate Sam

Brownback.

Brownback announced his choice of Colyer for lieutenant governor

on his Twitter site Tuesday morning.

Colyer, a surgeon from Overland Park, has become a leading

spokesman in the Legislature for conservative Republicans on health

care issues.

Brownback was kicking off a two-day, eight-city tour of the

state Tuesday to introduce Colyer to potential voters. The pair is

expected to file for office with the secretary of state’s office in

Topeka later Tuesday.

In the Aug. 3 primary, Brownback faces Derby resident Joan

Heffington, a former home builder. The leading Democratic candidate

is state Sen. Tom Holland, of Baldwin City.