Democrats are optimistic that Cindy Holscher, their new candidate, will maintain the Democratic hold on the governor’s mansion in Kansas, a state with a significant Republican presence. Holscher will compete against Ty Masterson, the Republican nominee, in the general election scheduled for November 3.

Democratic Governor Laura Kelly is unable to run again due to term limits. The party seeks to extend its control of the governor’s office despite Kansas’s strong Republican leanings. On the other hand, Republicans see this as a chance to recapture the governorship after two terms under Kelly.

The Democratic contenders included state Senators Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher, as well as Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican candidate for governor, is running to succeed Democratic Governor Laura Kelly in the 2026 election. (AP Photo/John Hanna)

On the Republican side, the primary featured a large pool of candidates, including Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Senate President Ty Masterson, Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, former Johnson County Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara, businessmen Nick Reinecker and Philip Sarnecki, and former Johnson County Sheriff Stacy Rogers.

The Sunflower State’s primary coincided with a critical constitutional amendment proposal. This amendment, supported by Republican lawmakers, aims to alter the system of appointing Kansas Supreme Court justices to a direct election process. Criticism from conservatives about the existing judicial selection process fueled this proposal. If the amendment passes, it will change the Kansas Constitution to elect Supreme Court justices instead of selecting them via the nominating commission system.

The upcoming race will decide who will occupy the governor’s office in the Kansas Statehouse. Republicans are aiming for unified control of the state government. The winner of the November election will take office after Governor Kelly’s term ends in January.

The governorship in Kansas often shifts between parties. Despite Kansas’s strong Republican leanings, including voting 57% for President Donald Trump in 2024, recent election cycles show voters alternating between Democratic and Republican leaders.

Amanda Macias reports on the intersection of business, economics, and politics, emphasizing how policy decisions impact markets, businesses, and American workers.