Orman business tie part of Kansas Senate race

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Independent Kansas Senate candidate Greg Orman acknowledges having a modest business tie to a former Goldman Sachs board member convicted of insider trading.

Orman said Wednesday during a news conference that Rajat Gupta is a friend and that he won't abandon a friend who's made a mistake.

Orman is touting his business experience as he seeks to unseat three-term Republican incumbent Pat Roberts. The race is competitive, making Kansas an unexpected battleground in the fight for control of the Senate.

Orman said he has an investment of less than $50,000 in a company involving Gupta. Orman was not more specific.

Online business records show he and Gupta each own more than 5 percent of Exemplar Wealth Management of Olathe. Gupta's conviction was in 2012.