A Democratic challenger to Senator Pat Roberts (R., Kan.) succeeded in withdrawing from the race after the state Supreme Court ruled that he had complied with the relevant law, a decision that boosts the Senate Democrats’ chance of keeping the majority by clearing the way for a independent challenger.

Chad Taylor withdrew from the race, allowing liberal voters to unite behind former Democrat Greg Orman, but Secretary of State Kris Kobach said Taylor had failed to comply with the law requiring that he state a reason for the withdrawal.

The court ruled in favor of Taylor. ”[The secretary of state] shall not include Taylor’s name on any ballots for the office of United States Senate for the general election on November 4, 2014,” the court ruled Thursday.

Representative Mike Pompeo (R., Kan.) predicted that the move wouldn’t result on Roberts’ defeat. “You’ve got a fellow, a very liberal fellow, named Greg Orman who is attempting to fool Kansans into thinking he is some nonpartisan, non-ideological independent,” he told National Review Online. “Should he find himself in the United States Senate, he would make his first vote for Harry Reid for majority leader; the Democrats know that; he was judged to be the Democratic party’s best hope.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) is optimistic about Orman. “Sounds like he might be okay, but I haven’t talked to him,” Reid told reporters last week.