The Dawn of a New Era in Kansas Politics
The 2026 gubernatorial election in Kansas is poised to be a defining moment for the state, with eleven candidates already declared, signaling a highly competitive and consequential race. This election will determine the state’s direction on critical issues ranging from fiscal policy and education to healthcare and social liberties. The absence of an incumbent, with Governor Laura Kelly being term-limited, opens the field entirely, creating a dynamic and unpredictable contest for both major parties. The sheer number of individuals stepping forward to seek the state’s highest office underscores the heightened stakes and the unique opportunity presented by a vacant executive seat. Without an incumbent to challenge directly, candidates are compelled to build their own platforms and establish name recognition from the ground up, shifting the focus of the campaign to new ideas and future visions for Kansas, rather than a referendum on the past eight years. This intense competition is particularly evident within the Republican Party, which features a larger number of declared candidates, potentially leading to more aggressive primary campaigns that could strain resources and create ideological divisions impacting general election unity.
The End of an Era: Governor Laura Kelly’s Term-Limited Departure and its Implications
Democratic Governor Laura Kelly, who secured an unexpected re-election victory in 2022 in a traditionally Republican state, is term-limited and constitutionally ineligible to seek a third consecutive term. Her impending departure marks the close of a distinctive chapter in Kansas political history, characterized by a Democratic governor navigating a predominantly Republican-controlled legislature. Governor Kelly’s administration has been widely recognized for its focus on restoring fiscal stability, fully funding public schools, improving the state’s infrastructure, and attracting record-breaking business investments and job creation. Her popularity, often attributed to her bipartisan approach and the significant public reaction against the overturning of
Roe v. Wade—especially with an abortion referendum on the ballot in 2022—leaves a substantial political void.
The success of Governor Kelly, a Democrat winning re-election in a state that voted for Donald Trump in 2020, highlights a crucial dynamic in Kansas politics. While the state maintains a strong Republican lean at the legislative level, a significant portion of the electorate has demonstrated a willingness to elect a moderate Democrat to the governorship. This suggests that many voters, including moderate Republicans and independents, often prioritize pragmatic governance and specific policy outcomes, such as education funding and fiscal health, over strict ideological alignment when choosing their chief executive. For the Republican Party, Governor Kelly’s term-limited status represents a prime opportunity to reclaim the governor’s office, a goal they have identified as a top priority. However, this pursuit comes with the inherent challenge of selecting a nominee who can appeal to both the party’s conservative base and the moderate voters who have previously supported Governor Kelly, a delicate balance that has historically divided the Kansas GOP. The 2026 race will therefore test whether the Republican nominee can bridge these disparate factions and effectively unite the party.
Overview of the Political Landscape and Early Race Dynamics
The gubernatorial race is already in full swing, drawing a crowded field of contenders. On the Republican side, prominent figures such as Secretary of State Scott Schwab, former Governor Jeff Colyer, and Senate President Ty Masterson have declared their intentions, alongside other candidates like podcaster Doug Billings, former Wichita school board member Joy Eakins, former Johnson County Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara, and Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt. The Democratic field, while currently smaller, includes State Senators Cindy Holscher and Ethan Corson, with other potential candidates having expressed interest.
Early race ratings from national political handicappers offer a fascinating, yet divergent, picture of the contest’s competitiveness. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball both rate the election as “Lean Republican,” reflecting the state’s general conservative lean and voter registration advantage. Conversely, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race as “Battleground Democratic”. This divergence in assessments highlights the inherent uncertainty and complexity of Kansas gubernatorial politics. The outcome is far from predetermined and will likely hinge on the specific nominees chosen by each party, the effectiveness of their campaign messaging, and how adeptly they address the key issues that resonate with Kansas voters, often transcending traditional partisan divides. The 2026 election is not merely a straightforward partisan contest; it is a critical test of whether the electoral dynamics observed in Governor Kelly’s previous victories were an anomaly or indicative of a persistent, more nuanced electoral landscape in the Sunflower State.
A Century of Leadership: The Enduring Political History of Kansas Governors
Kansas’s political identity is deeply rooted in its tumultuous origins, a period often referred to as “Bleeding Kansas,” where the national conflict over slavery violently played out on its territorial soil. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 ignited this conflict by granting territorial citizens the right to decide on the legality of slavery, leading to brutal clashes between anti-slavery and pro-slavery factions. When Kansas achieved statehood in 1861, it did so as a free state, adopting the Wyandotte Constitution, which explicitly banned slavery. This foundational moment solidified the Republican Party’s early dominance in Kansas politics, a stronghold that has largely endured throughout the state’s history, with only a few isolated periods of Democratic legislative control, such as 1913-1915. This historical context is fundamental to understanding the state’s political leanings; the very birth of Kansas was intricately linked to the Republican Party’s anti-slavery stance, embedding a strong GOP identity from its inception. However, the occasional Democratic breakthroughs, particularly in the governorship, demonstrate that while the Republican base is formidable, specific conditions or candidate profiles can enable Democrats to succeed by appealing to a broader, more moderate electorate.
The Evolving GOP Landscape: Moderates, Conservatives, and the “De Facto Three-Party System”
Since the 1980s, the Republican Party in Kansas has experienced a significant internal “schismatic drift,” characterized by a growing split between its traditionally dominant centrist or moderate wing and a more assertive right-wing faction, largely associated with the organized Christian Right. The right wing, often more inspired and energized, has tended to dominate party leadership, prioritizing social and moral issues and advocating for government intrusiveness in personal activities. In stark contrast, moderate Republicans typically pay less attention to these social agenda issues, focusing instead on reducing taxation, promoting economic development, and fostering a business-friendly environment. These two wings of the Republican Party exist in an uneasy union, and their internal divisions have profoundly shaped Kansas’s political landscape.
This dynamic has effectively created what many observers describe as a “de facto three-party system” in Kansas, comprising Democrats, conservative Republicans, and “traditional-moderate” Republicans. The moderate Republicans, alongside the significant one-third of Kansas voters registered without party preference, are not without influence. They have increasingly chosen to vote for moderate Democrats rather than ideologically extreme Republicans, particularly in gubernatorial elections. This phenomenon explains why moderate Republicans have generally won the governor’s chair, or why a tacit, often unacknowledged, coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats has successfully developed a “policy middle” in the state legislature, especially in the state Senate. The internal divisions within the Kansas GOP are significant, and moderate voters play a crucial role in statewide elections. This enduring pattern reveals that the ideological split within the Republican Party often prevents a unified GOP front, especially in statewide races where broader appeal is necessary. This creates an electoral “sweet spot” for moderate candidates, regardless of their party affiliation, who can attract cross-over votes from disaffected moderate Republicans and independents. For the 2026 race, the Republican primary will be a critical test of whether the party nominates a candidate capable of bridging this internal divide and appealing to the moderate electorate, or if an overly conservative nominee will once again push these crucial swing voters towards the Democratic candidate. The success of any Republican candidate may depend less on pure conservative credentials and more on their ability to project a pragmatic, unifying image.
Defining Administrations: Key Gubernatorial Tenures and Policy Legacies
Kansas’s gubernatorial history is marked by distinct policy approaches and shifts in political philosophy. Prior to the more recent ideological polarization, governors like Bill Graves (Republican, 1995-2003) represented a more traditional, moderate Republican stance.
The Fiscal Stewardship of Kathleen Sebelius
Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius (2003-2009) is often cited as an example of effective, bipartisan leadership in Kansas. Her administration was lauded for its commitment to growing the state’s economy, creating jobs, ensuring quality education for every child, protecting families, improving healthcare access, and leveraging renewable energy assets.
Time magazine, in 2005, recognized her as one of the five best governors in America, commending her for eliminating a substantial $1.1 billion inherited debt, rooting out waste in state government, and strongly supporting public education—all without raising taxes. Her ability to govern in a bipartisan manner was particularly praised, a valuable trait in a state where Republicans typically controlled the legislature. Her focus on equitable education funding was a deeply held belief, stemming from her upbringing in a household with two teachers and her connection to the legacy of
Brown v. Board of Education in Topeka.
The “Kansas Experiment” Revisited: Sam Brownback’s Tax Cuts and Their Lasting Impact
In contrast to Sebelius’s approach, former Governor Sam Brownback’s administration (2011-2018) embarked on a radical fiscal policy often termed the “Kansas Experiment.” This initiative involved aggressive tax cuts, notably eliminating taxes on business income for nearly 200,000 businesses and significantly reducing individual income tax rates. Brownback championed these policies as a “shot of adrenaline into the heart of the Kansas economy,” predicting the creation of an additional 23,000 jobs by 2020 and arguing that the cuts would pay for themselves through increased economic growth.
However, the “experiment” largely failed to deliver on its promises and instead led to severe fiscal repercussions. Economic growth consistently lagged behind national averages, and by 2017, state revenues had plummeted by hundreds of millions of dollars, necessitating drastic cuts to essential services, including education, roads, and bridges. The elimination of “pass-through income” created a significant loophole, allowing many taxpayers to restructure their employment to avoid income taxes, further exacerbating revenue shortfalls. The state’s bond rating was downgraded by Moody’s in 2014, increasing borrowing costs. The “Kansas Experiment” is not merely a historical event; it remains a persistent thematic link that continues to exert a powerful influence on current fiscal policy debates and the political discourse surrounding taxes and spending. Any candidate in 2026 proposing significant tax cuts or advocating for “small government” without a clear plan for revenue stability or spending control will likely face scrutiny and be compared to the Brownback era. This historical precedent has created a strong public and political sensitivity to fiscal responsibility, even among those who desire lower taxes, underscoring the ongoing tension between the conservative desire for deep tax cuts and the practical need for robust public services.
Recent Electoral Trends: The 2018 and 2022 Gubernatorial Contests
Governor Laura Kelly’s victories in 2018 and 2022 were particularly noteworthy, given that she won in a state that voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. In 2022, she narrowly defeated Republican State Attorney General Derek Schmidt by a margin of approximately 2.2 percentage points (49.5% to 47.3%). Her re-election was partly attributed to her personal popularity and a strong public reaction against the overturning of
Roe v. Wade, a sentiment particularly amplified by the presence of an abortion referendum on the ballot just months prior to the general election.
The 2022 gubernatorial contest largely focused on “kitchen-table” issues such as the economy and education, which polls indicated were the most important concerns for voters. Governor Kelly’s campaign strategically linked her Republican opponent, Derek Schmidt, to former Governor Sam Brownback and the “Kansas Experiment,” highlighting Schmidt’s defense of lawsuits concerning budget cuts to public education during his tenure as Attorney General. Conversely, Schmidt’s campaign attempted to associate Governor Kelly with President Joe Biden, focusing on national issues like inflation and rising gas prices, portraying her as a “big-spending liberal”.
This electoral pattern reveals a shifting dynamic in Kansas. While the state possesses a strong conservative base, the 2022 election demonstrated that social issues, particularly when framed as fundamental rights, can mobilize a broad coalition of voters, including moderates and independents, to vote against the prevailing conservative legislative trend. The decisive defeat of the “Value Them Both” amendment, which would have allowed the legislature to restrict or ban abortion, underscores this point. This suggests that while Republican candidates may champion conservative social policies, they risk alienating the crucial moderate segment of the electorate that has proven willing to elect Democrats for the governorship. The perceived overreach on social issues by the legislature can create a backlash that benefits a more moderate gubernatorial candidate, regardless of party. This sets a precedent for how social issues, particularly reproductive rights, could play a decisive role in the 2026 election, forcing candidates to carefully calibrate their public stances.
The Battleground Issues: Defining the Political Agenda for 2026
The upcoming 2026 gubernatorial election in Kansas will be fought on a range of complex and interconnected issues that directly impact the lives of Kansans. These battleground topics reflect the state’s ongoing challenges and the differing philosophies on how best to address them.
Fiscal Health and Economic Development: Navigating Budgetary Headwinds
Current State Budget Outlook
Kansas faces persistent fiscal challenges, even amidst recent positive revenue trends. While the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group increased the overall revenue estimates for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 and FY 2026, with FY 2026 projected at $10.066 billion, the state is still anticipated to run a deficit in the coming years. Some forecasts indicate a potential $741 million deficit within four years. Governor Laura Kelly’s FY 2026 budget proposal calls for $26.4 billion in total expenditures, a slight decrease from FY 2025, with a stated aim to restore fiscal stability and prioritize key investments in water resources, early childhood education, and post-secondary education.
However, critics argue that the core problem lies not with insufficient revenue but with “unsustainable spending growth,” asserting that the state budget is significantly larger than it would be if spending had adhered to responsible limits based on population growth plus inflation since 2005. This perspective suggests that Kansas ranks among the higher states in government spending per resident, and that its current fiscal path is “destructive”. The state’s unemployment rate is projected to increase to 4.0% in Calendar Year (CY) 2025 before slightly decreasing to 3.9% in CY 2026.
This situation presents a critical paradox for the next governor: the state is experiencing revenue increases, yet long-term projections point to a deficit. This indicates that simply increasing revenue is not a sufficient solution; the next administration will face immense pressure to implement genuine fiscal discipline, potentially through significant spending cuts or a comprehensive re-evaluation of long-term obligations. This issue will undoubtedly be central to the gubernatorial debate, with candidates likely proposing starkly different approaches to balancing the budget—ranging from further tax cuts coupled with spending reductions (a conservative approach) to managing spending while seeking targeted investments (a more moderate or Democratic approach).
The Ongoing Property Tax Reform Debate
Property taxes represent a major financial concern for many Kansans, leading to a vigorous legislative debate over potential reforms. The legislature is actively considering various proposals, including implementing levy limits and assessment caps. For instance, Senate Bill 280 proposes a property tax levy limit that would allow local taxing entities to annually increase collections only to account for inflation, requiring voter approval for any increases beyond this limit. Conversely, House Bill 2396 offers a different mechanism, placing the onus on taxpayers to organize and protest increases after they have been adopted. A proposed constitutional amendment, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1603, would cap annual increases in a property’s taxable appraised value at no more than 3%. Recent legislative changes have also included the reauthorization of the statewide 20 mills school finance property tax levy and the exemption of certain personal property items from taxation starting in 2026.
This debate highlights a fundamental tension in Kansas fiscal policy: the popular demand for property tax relief versus the operational needs of local governments. Property taxes are the single largest source of state and local revenue in the U.S., funding essential services like schools, roads, and public safety. Local units of government often resist legislative actions that restrict their revenue. Legislative caps on property tax collections can directly impact local government budgets, potentially leading to reduced services or a shift in the financial burden to the state or other revenue sources. This implies that the next governor will need to navigate this delicate balance, either by championing aggressive tax cuts that could strain local services or by seeking more nuanced reforms that balance taxpayer relief with the stability of local government functions. The debate will underscore the interconnectedness of state and local finance.
Healthcare Access and the Medicaid Expansion Conundrum
Challenges Facing Rural Healthcare
Rural Kansas communities face a complex and escalating healthcare crisis. This includes a severe shortage of facilities, high healthcare costs, and critical shortages of healthcare providers, particularly in primary care, dental, and mental health services. Many rural hospitals are operating at a financial loss, with a significant number—59 out of 102—at risk of closure, and 28 facing immediate collapse due to inadequate revenues and low financial reserves. This situation is compounded by the fact that rural Kansans are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured compared to their urban counterparts, further straining the financial viability of rural healthcare providers. The lack of access leads to worse health outcomes, with rural residents experiencing higher rates of premature death and late-stage diagnoses for serious conditions.
The Persistent Political and Economic Debate over Medicaid Expansion
Despite the dire situation in rural healthcare, Kansas remains one of the few states (between 10 and 17, depending on the source and timeframe) that has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. This is despite consistent and strong public support for expansion, with polls indicating 72-77% of Kansans favor it. Republican legislative leaders have consistently blocked expansion efforts, citing concerns over costs and ideological objections to providing coverage for “able-bodied adults”.
Proponents argue that expansion would provide health coverage to an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 low-income Kansans, significantly improve access to care, and bring substantial federal funds into the state (covering 90% of the new costs, plus a potential additional bonus of $370-450 million). Governor Kelly has repeatedly advocated for Medicaid expansion, emphasizing its critical role in stabilizing and supporting rural hospitals.
Medicaid expansion is not merely a healthcare policy; it is a point where fiscal, social, and rural development policies converge, creating a complex and highly charged political debate. The refusal to expand, despite federal incentives and clear public support, directly exacerbates the rural healthcare crisis by increasing the number of uninsured individuals and placing severe financial strain on struggling hospitals. This highlights a fundamental ideological divide within the state government regarding the role of government and individual responsibility. The next governor’s stance on Medicaid expansion will serve as a litmus test for their approach to rural economic viability, social welfare, and the state’s relationship with federal funding, suggesting that the debate is less about raw economic data and more about deeply held beliefs.
Education: Funding, Accountability, and Curriculum Control
The Legacy of Gannon v. Kansas
The Kansas Supreme Court’s series of rulings in the Gannon v. Kansas lawsuit, beginning in 2010 with key decisions in 2017, 2018, and 2019, established a profound constitutional mandate for K-12 public education. The court unequivocally held that the state constitution requires “adequate and equitable” funding for public schools. These rulings compelled the legislature to restore funding levels that had been cut, particularly those impacting school districts with lower property values, ensuring that all students have reasonably equal access to substantially equal educational opportunities. By 2019, the court affirmed that the state was on track to provide constitutionally adequate education by 2022.
Current Legislative Priorities and Debates
Despite the clear directives from the Gannon rulings, debates over school funding persist and have taken on new dimensions. Legislators are actively planning to “rewrite the school funding formula,” this time without the direct oversight of the Supreme Court, raising concerns among educators about potential future underfunding. A significant push continues for school choice and voucher bills, which critics argue would divert state money to private religious institutions and “funnel state money to wealthy families,” ultimately threatening to “crush our rural schools”. Funding for special education has also remained a contentious point, despite prior pledges.
Controversies over Curriculum
Beyond financial debates, a fierce battle over curriculum control is unfolding. There are concerted efforts to remove what some term “DEI out, WOKE out, CRT out” from public schools, advocating instead for a focus on “reading, writing, and actual history and science”. Concerns are also being raised about the presence of “obscene and pornographic books” in public and school libraries, and the ethical implications and practical impacts of using artificial intelligence in classrooms without proper oversight.
This situation demonstrates a broader politicization of education in Kansas that extends significantly beyond the legal mandates of the Gannon lawsuit. While the courts addressed the adequacy and equity of funding, the political battle has shifted to control over curriculum, the promotion of school choice, and the philosophical direction of public education. The contradiction lies in the persistent legislative desire to shift resources or influence content in ways that critics argue undermine the public school system, even after court orders on funding. This implies that the next governor will face not only crucial fiscal decisions regarding education but also intense pressure to align with or resist legislative efforts to reshape the very nature of public schooling, making education a multifaceted and ideologically charged battleground issue.
Rural Revitalization: Water, Broadband, and Community Prosperity
Kansas’s rural communities, the backbone of the state’s agricultural economy and cultural heritage, face existential challenges that demand urgent attention from the next governor.
Addressing Water Depletion
The Ogallala Aquifer, a vast underground reservoir that serves as a vital water source for agriculture and drinking across the High Plains, is rapidly depleting due to decades of overuse, particularly for irrigation. Recent data from 2024 indicates that aquifer levels in parts of western Kansas fell significantly, with some areas experiencing a 1.52-foot decline. This is an “existential issue” for the state, as the aquifer replenishes at an extremely slow rate, potentially taking centuries to recover. Governor Kelly has underscored the urgency, proposing a significant investment of $30 million to spur $90 million annually in water preservation efforts, along with a 10-year strategic plan that could involve consolidating the state’s 14 different groundwater management districts into a single, centralized office. A new state law further mandates that all five groundwater management districts submit action plans for addressing declines by July 2026, with state intervention threatened if deadlines are ignored or plans are not approved. Local Enhanced Management Areas (LEMAs), which implement locally developed water conservation strategies, are gaining traction as a promising solution.
Expanding High-Speed Internet Access
Reliable high-speed internet access is increasingly recognized as crucial for the economic and social vitality of rural Kansans, enabling access to job opportunities, virtual learning, and healthcare services. Governor Kelly’s administration has made efforts to expand broadband, establishing the Office of Broadband Development in 2020 and announcing initiatives like the $43 million “Freestate Middle Mile Network,” funded by federal grants, to expand fiber access in rural communities. However, these efforts have faced setbacks; federal funding for digital equity programs, including an $8.1 million grant intended for Kansas, was terminated by the Trump administration, hindering the state’s ability to provide critical digital services, especially in rural areas.
Strategies for Combating Population Decline and Fostering Economic Opportunity
Rural communities in Kansas grapple with complex challenges related to demographic shifts, workforce development, access to capital, and infrastructure. The state’s Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP), established by Governor Kelly in 2019, actively advocates for rural Kansas, identifying policy priorities and developing programs such as Rural Opportunity Zones, which offer tax benefits for new full-time residents, and comprehensive housing needs assessments. Efforts also focus on supporting small farms, local food businesses, and agricultural education programs, although some federal initiatives in these areas have recently faced funding freezes or outright termination, impacting thousands of producers and rural organizations.
The challenges facing rural Kansas highlight the critical interdependence of rural prosperity on consistent and coordinated state and federal policy. Federal funding decisions, such as grant terminations, can directly undermine state-level initiatives and long-term planning for essential services like broadband, agriculture, and water management. This implies that the next governor will not only need to champion robust state-level rural development strategies but also engage actively with federal partners to secure and stabilize crucial funding streams. The vulnerability of rural communities to external policy shifts makes this a high-stakes issue, and candidates will be evaluated on their ability to protect and promote these vital areas, with water conservation being particularly urgent given the dire projections for the Ogallala Aquifer.
Social and Cultural Divides: Reproductive Rights, LGBTQ+ Issues, and Immigration
Kansas is experiencing a deepening culture war, where the Republican-controlled legislature is actively pursuing a conservative social agenda, often in direct contrast to public sentiment on certain issues or the vetoes of the Democratic governor.
Reproductive Rights
Abortion remains legal in Kansas, a status affirmed by voters in August 2022 when they decisively rejected the “Value Them Both” constitutional amendment. This amendment would have overturned the Kansas Supreme Court’s 2019 ruling that the right to abortion is inherent in the state’s constitution, allowing the legislature to restrict or ban the procedure. Despite this clear public mandate, the issue continues to be a legislative priority for some conservative factions, with ongoing efforts to limit access through various means.
LGBTQ+ Issues
The legislature has aggressively pursued and successfully passed bans on gender-affirming care for minors, notably overriding Governor Kelly’s vetoes on such measures. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding a similar law in Tennessee allows such state-level bans to remain in effect, although lawsuits challenging the Kansas law under the state constitution are ongoing. Beyond healthcare, legislative efforts also target women’s sports, with laws requiring athletic teams to be designated by biological sex and prohibiting male participation in female sports. The broader agenda includes efforts to eliminate “woke left ideology” and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies from public institutions, including college campuses.
Immigration Policy
At the state level, legislative efforts have focused on enhancing immigration enforcement. Proposals include requiring certain law enforcement agencies to apply for and enter into agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Other legislative initiatives aim to prohibit undocumented immigrants from receiving state or local public benefits and to create databases of non-citizens holding driver’s licenses.
Judicial Selection Reform
A significant conservative push is underway to alter the Kansas Supreme Court selection process. A proposed constitutional amendment, which will appear on the August 2026 ballot, seeks to replace the current merit-based system (where the governor appoints justices from a list provided by a nominating commission) with direct partisan elections. Proponents argue that the current system is biased and lacks transparency, while opponents, like Senator Ethan Corson, maintain that experts should select judges and that voters already have a voice through retention elections.
This array of social and cultural issues reveals a deepening culture war in Kansas, where the Republican-controlled legislature is actively pursuing a conservative social agenda, often in direct contradiction to public sentiment on certain issues (such as abortion) or the vetoes of the Democratic governor. The legislative supermajority allows these bills to pass, even if they face gubernatorial vetoes or public referendums. The next governor, if Democratic, would serve as a critical check on these legislative efforts, while a Republican governor would actively sign them into law, fundamentally altering the state’s social fabric. The push for direct election of Supreme Court justices further highlights the desire to align the judiciary with this conservative agenda, which would remove a key institutional check on legislative power. This makes the gubernatorial election a high-stakes battle over the future social and cultural identity of Kansas.
The Contenders: Profiles of the Declared Candidates for Governor in 2026
The 2026 Kansas gubernatorial race features a diverse field of candidates, each bringing a unique background, set of experiences, and policy priorities to the forefront. Understanding their individual profiles is essential for comprehending the dynamics of this pivotal election.
Declared Candidates for Kansas Governor 2026: Key Background and Stances
| Candidate Name | Party Affiliation | Current/Most Recent Prominent Role | Prior Political Experience (brief) | Key Stated Policy Focus Areas | Alignment with National Figures (if prominent) |
| Democratic Primary Candidates | |||||
| Cindy Holscher | Democratic | State Senator (2021-Present) | Kansas House of Representatives (2 terms) | Public School Funding, Reproductive Rights, Medical Marijuana, “Kitchen Table” Issues | N/A |
| Ethan Corson | Democratic | State Senator (2021-Present) | Attorney | Worker Rights (min wage, paid sick leave), Property Tax Reform, Judicial Selection (opposes direct election), Technology Regulation | N/A |
| Republican Primary Candidates | |||||
| Doug Billings | Republican | Podcaster | N/A | (Platform details not widely available) | N/A |
| Jeff Colyer | Republican | Former Governor (2018-2019) | Lieutenant Governor, Plastic Surgeon | Cut Government Spending/Inefficiencies, Tax Cuts, Small Business, Farmers, Border Security, Anti-Gender Affirming Care for Minors, Tech/Manufacturing Jobs | Donald Trump |
| Joy Eakins | Republican | Former Wichita Schools Board Member (2013-2018) | N/A | (Platform details not widely available) | N/A |
| Charlotte O’Hara | Republican | Former Johnson County Commissioner (2021-2025) | Former State Representative (2011-2013), Business Owner | Fiscal Conservatism (budget cuts, anti-corporate welfare), Property Tax Reduction, Judicial Selection (pro-direct election), Anti-DEI/Woke in Schools, Anti-Chinese Influence, Gender Ideology | N/A |
| Stacy Rogers | Republican | Consignment Sale Business Owner | N/A | Constitutional Rights/Freedoms, Pro-Life, Education Overhaul (“back to basics”), Fiscal Responsibility/Transparency, Anti-Fraud | N/A |
| Vicki Schmidt | Republican | Kansas Insurance Commissioner (2019-Present) | Kansas Senate (14 years), Pharmacist | Regulatory Cost Reduction, Consumer Protection (insurance), Healthcare Access/Reform, Fiscal Responsibility (Medicaid inefficiencies) | N/A |
| Scott Schwab | Republican | Kansas Secretary of State (2019-Present) | Kansas House of Representatives (7 terms) | Property Tax Reduction, Rural Community Support, Election Integrity (voter ID, cybersecurity), Reduced Government Size, Anti-China Land Acquisition, Anti-Abortion/LGBTQ+ Rights | Donald Trump |
| Ty Masterson | Republican | Kansas Senate President (2021-Present) | Kansas Senate (since 2009), Kansas House (2005-2008), Small Business Owner | Tax Cuts (property taxes), Education Reform, Job Creation, Anti-Transgender Healthcare for Minors, Anti-Men in Women’s Sports, Anti-Woke Ideology in Colleges | Donald Trump |
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Note: This table summarizes information available from the provided data. Some candidates may have broader platforms not fully detailed here due to limited public information.
Democratic Primary Candidates
Senator Cindy Holscher
Senator Cindy Holscher, representing Overland Park, has served as a State Senator since 2021, following two terms in the Kansas House of Representatives. She was the first Democrat to officially announce her candidacy for governor. Her campaign is built around a focus on “kitchen table” issues, aiming to address the everyday concerns of Kansan families. Her stated priorities include ensuring robust funding for public schools, protecting reproductive rights, and advocating for the legalization of medical marijuana. Senator Holscher has been a vocal participant in legislative committees debating medical marijuana, expressing frustration over the perceived lack of progress on the issue. Her legislative record also indicates support for policies such as paid sick leave and increasing the minimum wage, and she has engaged in discussions surrounding property tax reform.
Senator Holscher’s platform attempts to strike a strategic balance between economic concerns, framed as “kitchen table” issues, and key social and cultural issues such as reproductive rights and medical marijuana legalization. This approach aligns with the electoral dynamics observed in Governor Kelly’s past victories, which demonstrated that social issues can significantly mobilize voters even in a generally Republican state. Her emphasis on public school funding directly addresses a long-standing and constitutionally mandated concern in Kansas politics, as highlighted by the
Gannon v. Kansas rulings. This suggests that her campaign aims to replicate the success of the previous Democratic administration by appealing to a broad coalition of voters who prioritize pragmatic governance and certain social liberties over strict conservative ideology, potentially drawing in moderate Republicans and independents.
Senator Ethan Corson
Senator Ethan Corson, also a State Senator since 2021, brings a background as an attorney to the gubernatorial race. While his campaign website was not accessible in the provided information , his legislative record offers insights into his policy focus. Senator Corson has demonstrated interest in property tax reform, as evidenced by his involvement with Senate Bill 195, which proposed a task force to study and improve the property tax system. He has also supported measures to increase the Kansas minimum wage (SB218) and establish paid sick time (SB216), indicating a focus on worker rights. Additionally, his legislative activity includes proposals related to veterans’ issues, such as excluding social security payments from household income for certain property tax exemptions (SB215) and designating Kansas as a Purple Heart state (SB200). He has been involved in discussions concerning technology regulation, specifically prohibiting the use of certain AI platforms on state networks. A notable stance is his opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment for the direct election of Kansas Supreme Court justices, arguing that judicial selection should remain with experts and that voters already have a voice through retention elections.
Senator Corson’s emphasis on worker rights, including increasing the minimum wage and establishing paid sick time, represents a distinct policy focus within the Democratic field, potentially appealing to a different segment of the electorate than Senator Holscher’s broader “kitchen table” approach. His strong opposition to the direct election of Supreme Court justices positions him as a defender of institutional integrity and the current merit-based system, directly countering a key conservative legislative priority. This suggests that he aims to draw a clear line against what he perceives as politically motivated judicial reforms, appealing to voters who value judicial independence and stability.
Other Potential Democratic Candidates
While State Senators Holscher and Corson are the declared Democratic candidates, other figures have been mentioned in political discussions. Dinah Sykes, the Minority Leader of the Kansas Senate, has publicly expressed interest in the race. Chris Mann, an attorney and the Democratic nominee for Kansas Attorney General in 2022, is also considered a potential candidate. It is important to note that Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, who was previously mentioned as a potential candidate, has since decided
not to run for governor or any other elected office in 2026, citing his focus on the state’s economic development projects.
Republican Primary Candidates
Doug Billings
Doug Billings is identified as a podcaster and is among the Republican candidates who have officially filed paperwork to be on the ballot in 2026. However, as of the available information, Doug Billings has not completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey, and his campaign website was inaccessible during research. This means that detailed campaign themes and specific policy positions are not readily available in the provided snippets. The lack of detailed public policy statements makes it challenging to assess his specific stances beyond his general Republican affiliation.
His background as a “podcaster” suggests an “outsider” or non-traditional political persona, which can be an asset in a primary election driven by anti-establishment sentiment. The current lack of explicit policy details creates an ambiguity that could allow him to appeal broadly to different factions within the Republican primary without committing to specific, potentially divisive, stances early on. Conversely, it could also indicate a less developed policy agenda compared to candidates with extensive legislative experience. His early official filing suggests a serious intent despite the current lack of public platform details.
Former Governor Jeff Colyer
Jeff Colyer served as the 47th Governor of Kansas from 2018 to 2019, stepping into the role after Sam Brownback’s resignation. A plastic surgeon by profession, this marks his third bid for the governorship; he previously lost the 2018 Republican primary to Kris Kobach and withdrew from the 2022 race due to a prostate cancer diagnosis. Colyer explicitly aligns himself with former President Donald Trump, drawing comparisons between his own political journey and Trump’s.
Colyer’s campaign emphasizes his “proven conservative record” and a commitment to cutting government inefficiencies and spending. He states that during his brief tenure as governor, he “held the line on taxes, including property taxes,” and successfully “ended 50 years of litigation over our schools” using conservative principles. His stated priorities include further tax cuts, bolstering small businesses, protecting farmers, securing the border and deporting undocumented immigrants who are criminals, preventing gender-affirming care for minors, and attracting high-paying tech and manufacturing jobs to Kansas. While his campaign website was not accessible in the provided information , his public statements clearly articulate a conservative agenda.
Colyer’s campaign is a clear attempt to consolidate the “Trump Republican” vote in the primary, positioning himself as a proven conservative with executive experience. His focus on “cutting government inefficiencies and spending” directly addresses the fiscal concerns stemming from the “Kansas Experiment,” aiming to differentiate his fiscal conservatism from Brownback’s perceived failures. His strong stances on immigration and gender-affirming care align him with the social conservative wing of the party, which is highly energized. This suggests he is aiming to appeal to the right wing of the GOP primary, potentially creating a challenge in the general election if he is perceived as too extreme by moderate voters who previously supported Governor Kelly.
Joy Eakins
Joy Eakins served as a member of the Wichita Schools board from 2013 to 2018. She is a Republican candidate for governor in the 2026 election. However, similar to Doug Billings, Joy Eakins has not yet completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey, and her campaign website was inaccessible during the research. Consequently, specific campaign themes and detailed policy positions are not available in the provided snippets.
Eakins’ background in local school governance positions her uniquely to speak on education issues, a persistent battleground in Kansas. The current lack of a publicly detailed platform suggests her campaign may still be in early development, or she may be strategically withholding specific policy proposals for a later stage. This ambiguity could pose a challenge in distinguishing herself in a crowded primary, but it also allows for flexibility to adapt to emerging issues. Her ability to translate her local education experience into a compelling statewide vision will be key to her campaign.
Charlotte O’Hara
Charlotte O’Hara has a background in both local and state government, having served as a Johnson County Commissioner from 2021 to 2025 and as a state representative from the 17th district from 2011 to 2013. She is also a business owner. O’Hara’s platform is characterized by a strong emphasis on “transparency and significant budget cuts”. She is a vocal opponent of “corporate welfare,” specifically criticizing tax incentives and subsidies provided to companies like Panasonic and Fiserv, arguing that such deals ultimately increase property taxes for ordinary citizens. She vehemently opposes the proposed Star Bond deal for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, labeling it a “corporate tax scam” that benefits billionaires at public expense.
O’Hara is a staunch advocate for reforming Kansas’s judicial selection process, pushing for direct partisan election of judges to diminish the influence of the Kansas Bar Association. In education, she champions “Freedom to learn in our public schools” by advocating for the removal of “DEI out, WOKE out, CRT out” and a return to “reading, writing, and actual history and science”. She also expresses concerns about Chinese influence in Kansas, particularly regarding land acquisition and business deals. On social issues, she opposes gender ideology, citing concerns about YMCA locker room policies and strongly supporting Kansas’s Women’s Bill of Rights. A consistent theme in her campaign is the call for reducing “crushing property taxes”.
O’Hara positions herself as a hardline, anti-establishment conservative, directly challenging perceived government overspending and “woke ideology.” Her consistent opposition to corporate incentives is a distinct policy stance that sets her apart from some traditional Republicans who might support such measures for economic development. This suggests she is aiming to capture the most conservative and populist wing of the Republican primary electorate, appealing to voters who feel government is too large, taxes are too high, and traditional values are under attack. Her focus on judicial selection reform is a direct response to the Gannon rulings and the abortion referendum outcome, seeking to reshape the judiciary to align with conservative principles and highlighting a deep distrust of existing institutions.
Stacy Rogers
Stacy Rogers is a consignment sale business owner who has declared her candidacy for the Republican nomination. Her campaign priorities are clearly articulated in her Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey responses. She emphasizes “Protecting your Natural and Constitutional Rights and Freedoms,” specifically mentioning free speech, gun rights, and concerns about “land grabs”. A central tenet of her platform is “Protecting and valuing ALL life,” encompassing the unborn, children, the disabled, and the elderly.
On education, Rogers calls for a complete “overhaul” of the system, advocating for a return to “the basics” and identifying inefficiencies, asserting that “money is not reaching our teachers, much less the students”. She is passionate about fiscal responsibility, transparency, and rooting out “inefficiencies, mishandling and fraud” in government departments through a “deep audit”. Rogers defines her core responsibilities as administrative oversight, budget balancing, and serving as the public face of the state. She states her intention to serve two terms and then return to her private life, emphasizing that she is “not here to create a career” but to serve the people.
Rogers articulates a broad conservative platform that touches on key ideological tenets: individual liberties, a strong pro-life stance, and fiscal conservatism. Her emphasis on transparency and rooting out government “inefficiencies, mishandling and fraud” resonates with a common conservative critique of “big government.” Her self-description as a “citizen-servant” who is “not here to create a career” is a strategic appeal to anti-establishment sentiment and a contrast to career politicians, aiming to build trust by portraying herself as genuinely committed to public service rather than personal gain. This suggests she is trying to appeal to a similar base as Charlotte O’Hara but with a slightly different framing, perhaps emphasizing integrity and a non-political approach.
Commissioner Vicki Schmidt
Vicki Schmidt currently serves as the Kansas Insurance Commissioner, a position she has held since 2019, winning re-election in 2022 with the highest statewide vote count of any candidate for statewide office. Her extensive public service includes 14 years in the Kansas Senate, and prior to her political career, she worked for 40 years as a pharmacist. Schmidt’s personal experience with breast cancer in 2023 has also shaped her perspective on health insurance, reinforcing her interest in simplifying access and navigation of healthcare for Kansans. Her campaign website was not accessible in the provided information.
Schmidt anchors her gubernatorial campaign on her “record of service” and a proven ability to “actually get things done”. As Insurance Commissioner, her tenure has focused on reducing regulatory costs for businesses (by over $75 million) and increasing returns to policyholders (by over $145 million), demonstrating a customer-oriented approach to government. Her legislative and regulatory experience is deeply rooted in healthcare access and insurance reform. Notably, her earlier work in state government led to the identification of inefficiencies in the Kansas Medical Assistance Program, resulting in the recovery of $391 million for the state through administrative changes. It is also noted that she will likely be challenged during the campaign to explain her views on abortion rights.
Commissioner Schmidt embodies the “experienced pragmatist” archetype within the Republican field, emphasizing her extensive public service and a track record of tangible results. Her background in insurance and healthcare positions her uniquely to address Kansas’s pressing healthcare access issues, particularly in rural areas. Her personal experience with cancer adds a human element to her policy focus, potentially appealing to voters beyond strict partisan lines. The observation that she “will also be challenged… to explain her views on abortion rights” highlights the tension between her pragmatic, service-oriented image and the strong social conservative lean of the Republican primary electorate. This suggests she might aim for a more moderate appeal in the general election, similar to Governor Kelly’s success, but must first navigate the primary’s ideological demands.
Secretary of State Scott Schwab
Scott Schwab currently serves as the Kansas Secretary of State, a position he has held since 2019, having been re-elected in 2022. Prior to this, he served seven terms in the Kansas House of Representatives. As the state’s top election official, Schwab gained recognition for rejecting conspiracy theories and distrust of elections from within his own party after the 2020 election cycle. His campaign website was not accessible in the provided information.
Schwab’s gubernatorial campaign prioritizes lowering property taxes and providing support to rural communities, which he notes are “falling behind”. He advocates for reducing the size of government and cutting bureaucratic red tape, asserting that for Kansas, “those chains come from big government”. A significant aspect of his platform is election integrity, where he champions bills including voter ID laws, strengthening cybersecurity for election equipment, and increasing training for county election officials. Schwab explicitly aligns himself with former President Donald Trump on several key issues, particularly the need to stop China from buying farmland near U.S. military bases. Historically, he supported former Governor Sam Brownback’s tax experiment and has consistently supported restrictions on abortion and LGBTQ rights.
Schwab positions himself as a “conservative reformer” who has a proven record in election integrity while also addressing popular concerns like property taxes. His explicit alignment with Donald Trump is a strategic move to capture the strong Trump-aligned base in the Republican primary. However, his past support for the “failed” Brownback tax experiment presents a potential vulnerability in the general election, as Democrats will likely tie him to that unpopular legacy. This suggests he faces the challenge of appealing to the conservative base without alienating the broader electorate that rejected Brownback’s policies and elected Governor Kelly.
Senate President Ty Masterson
Ty Masterson currently holds the influential position of President of the Kansas Senate, a role he has held since 2021. He has served as a state senator representing a district in eastern Kansas since 2009 and previously served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2005 to 2008. Masterson is also a small-business owner. His campaign website was not accessible in the provided information.
Masterson’s campaign platform is framed around the goal to “Take Back Kansas” from what he terms “liberal policies”. He explicitly aligns himself with President Donald Trump and his federal agenda. His top priorities for the state include cutting taxes, particularly property taxes, improving education, and bringing jobs to Kansas. He highlights his legislative accomplishments, including reducing $2 billion in state taxes during his tenure as Senate President. On social issues, Masterson is a strong advocate for conservative positions, supporting the prohibition of transgender healthcare for minors and the exclusion of “men from women’s sports”. He also aims to eliminate “woke left ideology from our college campuses” and has previously supported ICE.
Masterson represents the legislative conservative establishment within the Republican Party, contrasting with Colyer’s executive experience and Schwab’s election administration background. His strong emphasis on social issues positions him as a standard-bearer for the Christian Right and social conservative wing, which is highly influential in GOP primaries. His stated goal to “Take Back Kansas” is a direct critique of the Kelly administration’s policies. This suggests he will likely appeal to the most ideologically driven Republican voters, potentially setting up a primary contest focused on who is the “most conservative” candidate. The tension for Masterson, like other strong conservatives, will be balancing this primary appeal with the need to win over moderate general election voters, a challenge that has historically favored more centrist candidates in gubernatorial races.
Other Potential Republican Candidates
Beyond the declared candidates, other individuals have been mentioned as potentially entering the Republican race. Dayton Moore, currently a senior advisor to the Texas Rangers and former president of the Kansas City Royals, has been noted as expressing interest. Philip Sarnecki, a financial services executive, is another potential candidate. Conversely, U.S. Representatives Ron Estes and Jake LaTurner, who were previously considered, have since declined to run for governor in 2026.
Comparative Policy Positions of 2026 Gubernatorial Candidates
This section offers a comparative overview of the declared candidates’ stances on the key battleground issues, highlighting similarities, differences, and potential areas of conflict.
Democratic Primary Candidates
- Senator Cindy Holscher:
- Fiscal Policy/Taxes: Her campaign focuses on “kitchen table” issues and she has been involved in discussions regarding property tax reform.
- Education: A key priority is ensuring robust funding for public schools.
- Healthcare: She advocates for reproductive rights and the legalization of medical marijuana.
- Rural Development: No specific details on rural development initiatives were available in the provided information.
- Social Issues: Supports reproductive rights and the legalization of medical marijuana.
- Judicial Selection: No specific stance on judicial selection was available in the provided information.
- Other Key Issues: No other key issues were explicitly detailed in the provided information.
- Senator Ethan Corson:
- Fiscal Policy/Taxes: Supports property tax reform (as seen in SB195), increasing the minimum wage (SB218), and establishing paid sick time (SB216).
- Education: Focuses on the well-being and education of Kansas’s youngest residents.
- Healthcare: Supports healthcare provider choice in workers’ compensation and a “conscientious right to refuse act” related to medical care.
- Rural Development: No specific details on rural development initiatives were available in the provided information.
- Social Issues: No specific social issues were explicitly detailed in the provided information beyond healthcare-related stances.
- Judicial Selection: Opposes the direct election of Supreme Court justices, preferring the current merit-based system where experts select judges and voters have a voice through retention elections.
- Other Key Issues: Supports prohibiting certain AI platforms on state networks.
Republican Primary Candidates
- Doug Billings:
- Fiscal Policy/Taxes: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Education: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Healthcare: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Rural Development: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Social Issues: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Judicial Selection: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Other Key Issues: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Former Governor Jeff Colyer:
- Fiscal Policy/Taxes: Aims to cut government inefficiencies and spending, reduce taxes (including property taxes), and bolster small businesses.
- Education: Focuses on teaching “important things” like reading, writing, math, coding, and technology, and states he ended 50 years of litigation over schools.
- Healthcare: Advocates for preventing gender-affirming care for minors.
- Rural Development: Prioritizes protecting farmers and bringing high-paying tech and manufacturing jobs to Kansas.
- Social Issues: Supports securing the border, deporting undocumented immigrants who are criminals, and preventing gender-affirming care for minors.
- Judicial Selection: No specific stance on judicial selection was available in the provided information.
- Other Key Issues: Aligns himself with former President Donald Trump.
- Joy Eakins:
- Fiscal Policy/Taxes: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Education: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Healthcare: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Rural Development: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Social Issues: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Judicial Selection: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Other Key Issues: Detailed platform information was not widely available.
- Charlotte O’Hara:
- Fiscal Policy/Taxes: Advocates for significant budget cuts, opposes “corporate welfare” (including Star Bonds, Panasonic, and Fiserv deals), and aims to reduce “crushing property taxes”.
- Education: Calls for an “overhaul” of education, a return to “the basics,” and the removal of “DEI out, WOKE out, CRT out,” focusing on reading, writing, and actual history and science.
- Healthcare: Opposes gender ideology, citing concerns about YMCA locker room policies, and supports Kansas’s Women’s Bill of Rights.
- Rural Development: Seeks to protect the environment and quality of life from industrial wind/solar facilities, transmission lines, and eminent domain.
- Social Issues: Opposes gender ideology, is critical of “obscene and pornographic books” in libraries, expresses concern about child exploitation, and supports the Women’s Bill of Rights.
- Judicial Selection: Advocates for the direct partisan election of judges to end the influence of the Kansas Bar Association.
- Other Key Issues: Expresses concerns about Chinese influence in Kansas, particularly regarding land acquisition and business deals.
- Stacy Rogers:
- Fiscal Policy/Taxes: Emphasizes fiscal responsibility, transparency, and conducting a “deep audit” to root out inefficiencies and fraud, with the goal of reallocating funds for taxpayer value.
- Education: Calls for a complete “overhaul” of the education system, advocating for a return to “the basics” and addressing inefficiencies where “money is not reaching our teachers, much less the students”.
- Healthcare: Prioritizes “Protecting and valuing ALL life,” encompassing the unborn, children, the disabled, and the elderly.
- Rural Development: Aims to protect families, farmers, and businesses from “land grabs”.
- Social Issues: Focuses on “Protecting your Natural and Constitutional Rights and Freedoms,” including free speech and gun rights, and “Protecting and valuing ALL life”.
- Judicial Selection: No specific stance on judicial selection was available in the provided information.
- Other Key Issues: Emphasizes integrity and ethical behavior in office, and transparency.
- Commissioner Vicki Schmidt:
- Fiscal Policy/Taxes: As Insurance Commissioner, she has focused on reducing regulatory costs for businesses and increasing returns to policyholders; she also identified inefficiencies in the Kansas Medical Assistance Program leading to significant recoveries for the state.
- Education: No specific education policy stances were explicitly detailed in the provided information.
- Healthcare: Her legislative and regulatory experience centers on healthcare access and insurance reform, with a personal interest in simplifying health insurance access due to her experience with cancer.
- Rural Development: No specific details on rural development initiatives were available in the provided information.
- Social Issues: Her views on abortion rights are expected to be a point of challenge during the campaign.
- Judicial Selection: No specific stance on judicial selection was available in the provided information.
- Other Key Issues: Emphasizes her “record of service” and ability to “actually get things done”.
- Secretary of State Scott Schwab:
- Fiscal Policy/Taxes: Prioritizes lowering property taxes, reducing the size of government, and cutting taxes to promote business growth.
- Education: Supports local control for schools.
- Healthcare: Has historically supported restrictions on abortion and LGBTQ rights.
- Rural Development: Aims to help rural communities and bring more jobs to all corners of the state.
- Social Issues: Supports restrictions on abortion and LGBTQ rights, and aligns with Donald Trump on immigration enforcement.
- Judicial Selection: No specific stance on judicial selection was available in the provided information.
- Other Key Issues: Champions election integrity (voter ID, cybersecurity) and seeks to stop China from buying farmland near military bases.
- Senate President Ty Masterson:
- Fiscal Policy/Taxes: Top priorities include cutting taxes, particularly property taxes, and highlights his legislative accomplishment of reducing $2 billion in state taxes as Senate President.
- Education: Aims to improve education and eliminate “woke left ideology from our college campuses”.
- Healthcare: Supports the prohibition of transgender healthcare for minors.
- Rural Development: No specific details on rural development initiatives were available in the provided information.
- Social Issues: Advocates for banning men from women’s sports and eliminating DEI policies.
- Judicial Selection: No specific stance on judicial selection was available in the provided information.
- Other Key Issues: Explicitly aligns himself with President Donald Trump’s federal agenda.
The Mandate for the Next Governor: Defining Future Priorities
The next governor of Kansas will inherit a complex political and policy landscape, requiring adept leadership to navigate both persistent challenges and emerging opportunities.
Governing in a Divided State: Challenges and Opportunities
The incoming governor will almost certainly face a Republican-controlled legislature, continuing the “divided government” dynamic that has characterized Kansas politics for years. This environment inherently necessitates bipartisan cooperation to achieve legislative progress, but it also frequently leads to policy stalemates and an increased reliance on executive orders to bypass legislative opposition. The governor’s ability to forge consensus, negotiate effectively, or strategically wield their veto power will be paramount in shaping the state’s agenda.
The “divided government” in Kansas is not merely a static fact; it is a dynamic system where the governor’s veto power becomes a critical tool for shaping policy, especially when dealing with a legislative supermajority. Governor Laura Kelly’s tenure demonstrated this, with her vetoes on social issues often being overridden by the Republican supermajorities. This implies that the next governor, regardless of party affiliation, will either serve as a crucial check on the legislature’s agenda (if Democratic) or will be able to accelerate the legislative agenda (if Republican). The ideological divide between the executive and legislative branches often results in a legislative process characterized by conflict and compromise, rather than the smooth implementation of a unified party platform. This sets the stage for the next governor’s approach to governance: will they prioritize confrontation or collaboration?
Key Policy Imperatives for the Incoming Administration
The challenges facing Kansas demand a governor capable of addressing multiple critical issues simultaneously.
- Prioritizing Fiscal Stability and Long-Term Budget Planning: The next governor must confront the projected budget deficits and the enduring legacy of past tax policies, particularly the “Kansas Experiment”. This will necessitate difficult decisions regarding spending control, potential revenue generation, and a thorough re-evaluation of the state’s tax structures to ensure long-term fiscal health.
- Addressing the Healthcare Crisis in Rural Areas and the Future of Medicaid: The incoming administration will inherit the severe and escalating challenges facing rural healthcare, including hospital closures and critical provider shortages. The decision on Medicaid expansion will be a defining moment, with profound implications not only for health outcomes but also for the financial stability of rural hospitals and the overall state budget.
- Ensuring a Robust and Equitable Public Education System: While the Gannon rulings established a constitutional mandate for adequate and equitable education funding, the next governor will need to navigate ongoing debates over funding formulas, special education, and the contentious issue of school choice and vouchers. Simultaneously, they will face pressure to address curriculum disputes and ideological battles over the direction of public schooling.
- Developing Sustainable Solutions for Water Resources and Rural Economic Growth: The rapid depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer represents an “existential issue” for Kansas, particularly for its agricultural sector. The next governor must champion and implement long-term water conservation plans, alongside efforts to expand high-speed broadband access and foster broader economic opportunity in rural communities, potentially by advocating for stable federal partnerships.
- Navigating the Complex Landscape of Social and Cultural Issues: The incoming governor will be at the forefront of ongoing and often deeply divisive debates concerning reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ issues (including gender-affirming care bans and women’s sports legislation), and state-level immigration policy. Their stance and actions on these issues will significantly shape the state’s social fabric and legal framework. The judicial selection amendment on the 2026 ballot will also directly impact the governor’s influence over the state’s highest court, potentially altering the balance of power regarding these sensitive issues.
The Enduring Influence of National Politics
The 2026 Kansas gubernatorial race is not isolated from broader national political currents; indeed, it is deeply intertwined with them. The explicit alignment of several Republican candidates with former President Donald Trump highlights the continued influence of national figures and ideologies on state-level elections. This demonstrates a deepening entanglement between state and federal politics in Kansas. National political figures and their associated ideologies can significantly influence primary outcomes and general election messaging for state candidates.
Simultaneously, federal funding decisions and national policy shifts directly impact Kansas’s budget and its ability to address critical state issues. For instance, federal grant terminations have already hindered broadband expansion and rural development efforts. Similarly, federal policies related to Medicaid and immigration directly affect state healthcare access and enforcement strategies. This implies that the next governor will need to be exceptionally adept at navigating this complex state-federal interplay, advocating for Kansas’s interests on the national stage while also translating federal policies into effective state-level action or, where appropriate, resistance. The outcome of the 2024 presidential election, and its ripple effects on voter turnout and partisan enthusiasm, will undoubtedly cast a long shadow over the 2026 gubernatorial contest, making it not just about Kansas-specific issues, but also a reflection of broader national political trends and how Kansans wish their state to align with or diverge from federal directions.
Conclusion: Kansas at a Crossroads – A Vision for the Future
The 2026 Kansas gubernatorial election is poised to be a truly pivotal moment for the Sunflower State. With the departure of term-limited Governor Laura Kelly, the field is wide open, attracting a crowded and diverse array of candidates. The state faces critical decisions that will shape its trajectory for decades to come, encompassing its fiscal future, the accessibility and quality of healthcare, the direction of its public education system, the sustainability of its vital water resources, and its stance on deeply divisive social and cultural issues.
The crowded field of candidates, each bringing a unique background, set of experiences, and policy vision, reflects the diverse priorities and ideological tensions within Kansas. From seasoned legislators and former governors to business owners and public servants, the contenders offer distinct paths forward. The choice before Kansas voters is not merely a partisan one; it is a fundamental decision about the state’s identity and its vision for the future.
The outcome will determine whether Kansas continues the more moderate, fiscally pragmatic, and socially inclusive path that characterized the Kelly administration, or shifts towards a more conservative, smaller-government, and socially traditional approach favored by many Republican contenders. This choice will have profound implications for every Kansan, from the vibrant urban centers to the most remote rural communities struggling with healthcare access and water depletion. The ability of the next governor to unite a diverse populace, address pressing challenges with innovative solutions, and skillfully navigate the complex interplay of state and national forces will define the next chapter of the Sunflower State’s enduring story. Kansas, with its rich history of political activism and its resilient spirit, stands at a crossroads, awaiting the leadership that will guide its future.
