Statewide · Open Seat

Kansas Governor

Incumbent Gov. Laura Kelly (D) is term-limited. This is an open seat. Seven Republicans and three Democrats competed in the primary.

About this race

The Kansas Governor serves a four-year term and oversees the executive branch, including the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Department of Education, and Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The governor also appoints members of the Kansas Supreme Court nominating commission — a power directly relevant to the SCR 1611 judicial selection amendment on the August ballot.

The filing deadline was June 1, 2026. Candidates appearing below are those who filed before that deadline. Former Gov. Jeff Colyer (R) declined to enter the race.

ℹ️ Non-partisan note: All candidates below receive equal space and identical card formatting. Positions are drawn from campaign materials, news reporting, and voter guide responses. Unverified positions are marked [VERIFY]. We do not endorse any candidate.
Republican Primary

Republican Candidates

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Ty Masterson
Andover, KS · Kansas Senate President
Republican
Background State Representative (2005–09), State Senator (2009–present), Senate President. Leads Republican primary polling significantly.
Taxes Advocates replacing three-tier income tax with a single flat rate; helped negotiate $2B tax reduction over 5 years; calls property taxes "a crisis"
Education Says outcomes don't match investment; pledges higher teacher pay; wants more parental input in schools
Medicaid Opposes Medicaid expansion
Abortion Supports expanding state regulation; stated publicly that SCR 1611 amendment could be a path to revisiting the 2019 abortion ruling
Endorsements
President Trump Sen. Roger Marshall Americans for Prosperity Kansans for Life PAC
Campaign site ↗
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Vicki Schmidt
Kansas Insurance Commissioner
Republican
Background State Senator (2005–18), Insurance Commissioner (2019–present), licensed pharmacist with 40+ years experience
Fiscal More cautious on aggressive tax cuts; has called her vote for the Brownback cuts "a vote I regret"
Abortion Supports "reasonable exceptions" to abortion restrictions; characterized as more moderate than other R candidates
Agriculture Strong Farm Bureau backing; running mate Joe Newland is Kansas Farm Bureau President
Endorsements
Kansas Farm Bureau
Campaign site ↗
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Scott Schwab
Kansas Secretary of State
Republican
Background State Representative (2011–17), Secretary of State (2019–present)
Property Tax "B.A.L.D." initiative — let voters decide on property tax increases; immediately cut the state's 20-mill property tax levy
Rural "J.E.A.N.S." strategy — fund four-laning of U.S. Highway 54; focus on rural communities
Security Would ban Chinese government-affiliated entities from buying land near military bases; champion of voter ID laws
Campaign website: [VERIFY]
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Charlotte O'Hara
Former Johnson County Commissioner
Republican
Background State Representative 17th District (2011–13), Johnson County Commissioner (2021–25); running mate: Michelle Dombrosky, KS State Board of Education
Platform Detailed policy platform not yet found in available sources [VERIFY — check campaign website]
Campaign website: [VERIFY]
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Stacy Rogers
Wichita — Business owner
RepublicanWichita local
Background Business owner; former water commissioner in Mount Hope (2007–12); serves on Sedgwick County Developmental Disability Organization; running mate: Michael Smith, former Lansing Mayor
Platform Detailed policy platform not yet found in available sources [VERIFY]
Campaign website: [VERIFY]
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Nick Reinecker
Marijuana policy activist
Republican
Focus Cannabis/marijuana policy reform as the central campaign issue
Other issues Detailed platform beyond cannabis not yet found [VERIFY]
Campaign website: [VERIFY]
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Philip Sarnecki
Financial services executive
Republican
Background Financial services executive and business owner; no prior elected office; running mate: Joy Eakins (former gubernatorial candidate)
Platform Detailed policy platform not yet found [VERIFY]
Campaign website: [VERIFY]
Democratic Primary

Democratic Candidates

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Cindy Holscher
Leawood, KS · Kansas State Senator
Democrat
Background State Senator, District 8 (2021–present); co-founder, Women's Bipartisan Caucus. Leads Democratic primary polling at 37% (June 2026 survey). Running mate: Rep. KC Ohaebosim (Wichita/Sedgwick County)
Education Full public school funding as a top-three campaign priority; worked to reverse Brownback-era school budget cuts
Medicaid Expansion of Medicaid eligibility is a top-three priority
Water Called for a statewide pause on new data center construction, citing water contamination and aquifer depletion concerns
Affordability Cost of living named as top-three campaign priority
Campaign site ↗
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Ethan Corson
Fairway, KS · Kansas State Senator
Democrat Kelly endorsed
Background State Senator, District 7 (2021–present). Endorsed by Gov. Laura Kelly and former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
Education Committed to fully funding the school funding formula (expires 2026); supports stronger special education funding; higher teacher pay
Medicaid Supports Medicaid expansion for working poor; ran TV ads highlighting legislative advocacy on this issue
Affordability "Working Families Agenda" — property tax relief, child tax credit, eliminate taxes on overtime pay and tips; pledges 100,000 new housing units/year statewide
Endorsements
Gov. Laura KellyGov. Sebelius
Campaign website: [VERIFY at sos.ks.gov]
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Curt Skoog
Overland Park Mayor
Democrat
Background Mayor of Overland Park (2021–present); filed June 1, 2026 (three hours before deadline); running mate: Dr. Jen Bacani McKenney (physician)
Plan "THRIVE Kansas": Thriving communities (lower property taxes), Health (Medicaid expansion, rural doctors), Rural roots (infrastructure), Innovation (supports data centers with water safeguards — no moratorium, unlike Holscher), Voting, Everyone (fully fund schools)
Property Tax Notes Overland Park has lowest property tax rate in the state; would pursue similar approach statewide
Campaign website: [VERIFY]

Key issues in this race

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Income Tax & the Flat Tax Trigger

The 2025 veto override created an automatic tax-cut trigger. The next governor will determine how to manage — or seek to modify — this mechanism.

Issue detail →
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School Finance Formula

The KSEEA expires in 2027. A Task Force must deliver a replacement formula by January 2027. The governor's budget proposal will shape what the Legislature considers.

Issue detail →
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Judicial Selection & Abortion

SCR 1611 is on the August 4 ballot. The governor also appoints members of the Supreme Court nominating commission, giving them ongoing influence over the judiciary.

Issue detail →
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Medicaid Expansion

Kansas has blocked expansion for years. New federal work-requirement rules (2025) change the policy environment. A new governor will set the executive branch's position.

Issue detail →