A northeast Kansas businessman says his vigorous campaign for the U.S. Senate as an independent candidate makes him the true alternative to Republican incumbent Pat Roberts.

Greg Orman of Olathe said Monday during a Statehouse news conference that his supporters gathered signatures from more than 10,000 registered voters to get him on the November general election ballot. He needs 5,000 valid signatures to qualify and plans to submit them Tuesday.

Orman said his ability to gather signatures and raise campaign funds shows he’s more viable as a candidate than Democratic hopeful Chad Taylor.

Taylor campaign manager Brandon Naylor says Orman has no solid political base.

Roberts faces tea party challenger Milton Wolf in the Aug. 5 GOP primary. Taylor faces Lawrence attorney Patrick Wiesner in the Democratic contest.