Olathe businessman opens independent U.S. Senate bid

An Olathe businessman is running for the U.S. Senate as an independent candidate and advocating open primary elections to blunt what he says is the influence of extremists in both major parties.

Greg Orman of Olathe met with reporters Wednesday at the Statehouse as part of a six-city tour to open his campaign.

He’s seeking the seat now held by three-term incumbent Republican Pat Roberts.

Orman,45, is co-founder of the capital and business management firm Denali Partners. He said he believes Washington has become too partisan to solve problems.

He needs to collect signatures from 5,000 registered voters to get on the ballot in November.

He also advocates that states hold a single open primary, with the final two candidates advancing to the general election.

This story was originally published June 4, 2014 at 1:27 PM with the headline "Olathe businessman opens independent U.S. Senate bid."