Jim Slattery beat out Lee Jones in the primary election Tuesday.

Slattery won with 65,920 votes over Jones’ 29,951 votes.

At a victory party in Topeka, Slattery acknowledged Kansas had not elected a Democratic to the United States Senate since 1932, but this would be the year.

“Kansans are ready for change,” Slattery said.

“How are we going to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Slattery asked. “How are we going to prevent our children from paying our bills? How are we going to get out of Iraq? How are we going to provide affordable health care? Voters deserve a substantive debate about these challenges.”

Slattery said if elected, he would set the right priorities.

“I will work to lower the price of gas, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and establish a comprehensive energy policy,” he said. “I will work to balance the budget, reduce the deficit, and trim pork barrel spending.

“I will work to end the war in Iraq, refocus our efforts on the war on terror and finding Osama bin Laden, and restore stability in the Middle East.

“I will work to lower the cost of health care, improve the availability of health insurance and allow Medicare to negotiate the price of drugs.”

Slattery said he would work in a bipartisan fashion to get these things done.

Slattery will face incumbent Sen. Pat Roberts in November.