Bipartisan grassroots political organizations have been gaining strength across Kansas in recent months.

Political experts say the movement is partly why the races for governor and U.S. Senate that were believed a year ago to be near-walkovers for Republicans are now close.

Two groups of current and former moderate Republican officials have endorsed Democratic candidates. Dozens of advocacy groups with diverse agendas have formed coalitions to work together to reach dissatisfied voters. Activists have turned to social media to counter massive campaign money flooding into Kansas.

Political scientist Bob Beatty says in past elections, grassroots campaigns came from the right, mainly from anti-abortion forces.

That same tactic of grassroots organizing is happening now, but it is happening from the center and the left.