The 2026 Kansas gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of Kansas. The primary elections will take place on August 4, 2026.[1] Incumbent Democratic governor Laura Kelly is term-limited and ineligible to seek a third consecutive term. This will be one of five Democratic-held governorships up for election in 2026 in a state that Donald Trump won in the 2024 presidential election and the only one of those states that Trump won by a double-digit margin.

Background

Kansas has a long tradition of ticket-splitting at the gubernatorial level: despite the state's consistent support for Republican presidential nominees, Democratic candidates have won the governor's office for the majority of years since the late 1960s, reflecting a pattern of voters distinguishing between state executive and federal races. This competitive tradition continued in the 2018 election, when Laura Kelly won the open seat in a favorable national environment during the 2018 midterms and benefited from widespread dissatisfaction with the outgoing administration of Sam Brownback, who had departed mid-term after being nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom in 2017.[2] Kelly won re-election in 2022 on the strength of her own personal popularity, with the negative reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade providing additional tailwind, amplified by the presence of an abortion referendum on the ballot a few months prior.[3][4] Since her re-election, Kelly has seen a continued rise in personal popularity, and as of 2024 ranks among the ten most popular governors in the country, which some commentators have attributed to her frequent use of her veto powers and extensive travel across the state.[5][6] While Democratic candidates have remained competitive at the gubernatorial level, the Republican Party has historically dominated Kansas in federal and legislative politics. After the 2024 elections, Republicans maintained their 3-1 majority in Kansas' U.S. House delegation.[7] Kansas has been represented in the U.S. Senate exclusively by Republicans since 1939.[8] Both chambers of the Kansas Legislature also have Republican supermajorities.[9] Since 1957, neither major political party has held the Kansas governor's office for longer than two consecutive terms, reflecting the ongoing competitiveness of the state's executive elections.[10]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrawn

  • Marty Tuley, teacher (failed to find running mate)[16]

Declined

Endorsements

Ethan Corson
Executive branch officials
State officials
Organizations
Cindy Holscher
State officials

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[a]		 Margin
of error		 Ethan
Corson		 Cindy
Holscher		 Curt
Skoog		 Undecided
Change Research[30][A] June 11–15, 2026 1,022 (LV) ± 3.0% 10% 37% 7% 46%[B]
Public Policy Polling (D)[31][C] January 8–9, 2026 699 (V) – 9% 33% — 58%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Did not file

Withdrawn

  • Joy Eakins, former Wichita Schools board member (2013–2018) (running for lieutenant governor)[45]

Declined

Endorsements

Ty Masterson
Executive branch officials
U.S. senators
Philip Sarnecki
State legislators
Vicki Schmidt
Organizations
Doug Billings (withdrawn)
Executive branch officials
Individuals
Jeff Colyer (did not file)
Executive branch officials
State legislators
  • Susan Estes, state representative from the 87th district (2021–present)[55]

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Inside Elections[56] Tossup August 28, 2025
Race to the WH[57] Tilt R (flip) June 19, 2026
RealClearPolitics[58] Lean R (flip) June 5, 2026
Sabato's Crystal Ball[59] Lean R (flip) September 4, 2025
The Cook Political Report[60] Lean R (flip) September 11, 2025

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
Partisan clients
  1. ↑ Commissioned by Civic Clarity
  2. ↑ 44% "Not sure"; 2% "Would not vote"
  3. ↑ Sponsored by Holscher's campaign

References

  1. ↑ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". NCSL. May 9, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  2. ↑ Paul, Kari (November 7, 2018). "Kansas sees its own blue wave: 'If you can flip it here, you can flip it anywhere'". MarketWatch. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  3. ↑ Bahl, Andrew. "National poll: More than half of residents approve of Gov. Laura Kelly's job performance". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  4. ↑ Hanna, John (November 9, 2022). "Abortion rights support helps Kansas Gov. Kelly win 2nd term". Associated Press. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Report: Kansas gov. is one of the top 10 most popular in the nation". Yahoo News. April 23, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  6. ↑ A. O. L. Staff (May 4, 2024). "Are Gov. Laura Kelly's rising approval numbers because of her frequent use of veto powers?". Retrieved September 29, 2024 – via AOL news.
  7. ↑ Mesa, Blaise (January 6, 2026). "Kansas Republicans don't have the votes for redistricting in 2026, house speaker says". NPR Kansas City. Archived from the original on January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  8. ↑ Rudin, Ken (December 8, 2008). "Longest Losing Streaks In The Senate". NPR. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  9. ↑ Self, Matthew (December 3, 2024). "Kansas Republicans retain supermajority control in the state Legislature". Topeka: KSNT. Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Ballotpedia - Kansas State Government". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on November 2, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  11. ↑ Carpenter, Tim (July 22, 2025). "Kansas Sen. Ethan Corson enters race for Democratic Party's nomination for governor". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  12. ↑ Carpenter, Tim (May 20, 2026). "Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ethan Corson joins forces with Salina business director". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  13. ↑ Shorman, Jonathan (June 12, 2025). "This Overland Park Democrat is launching a campaign for Kansas governor". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  14. ↑ Carpenter, Tim (May 14, 2026). "Democratic ticket in Kansas governor's race pairs legislators from Johnson Sedgwick counties". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  15. 1 2 Cooper, Brad (May 31, 2026). "UPDATED: Overland Park mayor to file for governor Monday, sources say". Sunflower State Journal. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  16. ↑ Anderson, Phil; Baum, Jake (July 28, 2025). "Democrat Marty Tuley announces candidacy for 2026 Kansas governor". Topeka: WIBW-TV.
  17. 1 2 Cooper, Brad (January 3, 2025). "Eyes turning toward '26 governor's race". Sunflower State Journal. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  18. ↑ Ketz, Jonathan (July 4, 2025). "State Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes considers run for Kansas governor". KSNW. Wichita. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  19. ↑ Kaminski, Anna (January 8, 2026). "Kansas Senate minority leader challenges GOP House speaker for state insurance commissioner". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  20. ↑ Alatidd, Jason (July 22, 2025). "Lt. Gov. David Toland isn't running for Kansas governor — or any other office". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Topeka, Kansas. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  21. 1 2 "Corson wins lieutenant governor's endorsement". Sunflower State Journal. January 15, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  22. ↑ Carpenter, Tim (January 21, 2026). "Former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius endorses Sen. Ethan Corson in Democratic race for governor". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Gov. Kelly endorses state senator Ethan Corson as he launches gubernatorial campaign". Wichita: KAKE. July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  24. ↑ KS AFL-CIO (April 30, 2026). Kansas AFL-CIO Endorses Ethan Corson for Governor #union #labor. Retrieved May 3, 2026 – via YouTube.
  25. ↑ "End Citizens United Endorses Ethan Corson for Kansas Governor". End Citizens United. March 6, 2026. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Corson wins endorsement from Planned Parenthood". Sunflower State Journal. March 23, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Senator Cindy Holscher Announces 25 New Endorsements in Her Race for Kansas Governor". Cindy Holscher for Kansas. June 24, 2025.
  28. ↑ Cooper, Brad (June 12, 2025). "Holscher announces run for governor". Sunflower State Journal.
  29. ↑ "Cindy Holscher Announces New Endorsements". Cindy Holscher for Kansas. July 30, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Civic Clarity poll · Kansas Democratic primaries". Capitol Bee. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  31. ↑ Carpenter, Tim (January 15, 2026). "Early poll of Democratic primary race for Kansas governor reveals most voters undecided • Kansas Reflector". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  32. ↑ Carpenter, Tim (July 20, 2025). "Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson launches Republican campaign for governor". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  33. ↑ Cooper, Brad (June 1, 2026). "Masterson names running mate". Sunflower State Journal. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  34. ↑ Hammill, Roxie (March 10, 2025). "Former JoCo commissioner Charlotte O'Hara announces bid for governor". Johnson County Post. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  35. ↑ Cooper, Brad (May 28, 2026). "O'Hara pushes ahead with governor's race; names state school board member running mate". Sunflower State Journal. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  36. ↑ Burnett, Cameron (February 13, 2025). "Wichitan Stacy Rogers announces candidacy for Kansas Governor". Wichita: KAKE. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  37. ↑ Day, Brayden (May 20, 2026). "What Kansas governor candidates have named their running mates in leadup to the 2026 midterms". Topeka: KSNT. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  38. ↑ Carpenter, Tim (September 2, 2025). "Johnson County businessman launches campaign to win GOP nomination for governor". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  39. ↑ Cooper, Brad (June 1, 2026). "Sarnecki names GOP rival as running mate". Sunflower State Journal. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  40. ↑ Brunner, Melissa (July 9, 2025). "Schmidt jumps into Kansas Governor's race". Topeka: WIBW-TV. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  41. ↑ Carpenter, Tim (May 18, 2026). "GOP governor candidate Vicki Schmidt's running mate will be Kansas Farm Bureau president". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  42. ↑ Robinson, Colter (January 8, 2025). "Scott Schwab announces run for Kansas Governor". Topeka: KSNT. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  43. ↑ Anderson, Phil (May 29, 2026). "Republican Scott Schwab names Ken Rahjes as running mate". Topeka: WIBW. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  44. ↑ Cooper, Brad (June 1, 2026). "Colyer doesn't file for governor". Sunflower State Journal. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  45. ↑ Cooper, Brad (June 1, 2026). "Sarnecki names GOP rival as running mate". Sunflower State Journal. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  46. ↑ Cooper, Brad (January 8, 2025). "UPDATED: Schwab first candidate to join 2026 governor's race". Sunflower State Journal. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  47. ↑ Hanna, John (April 18, 2024). "Kansas GOP congressman Jake LaTurner is not running again, citing family reasons". Associated Press. Retrieved September 29, 2024. [LaTurner said] also that he wouldn't seek any office in 2026. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is term-limited and Republicans had mentioned LaTurner as a possible candidate for the job that year.
  48. ↑ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (January 21, 2026). "Morning Digest: A surprise Trump endorsement triggers a surprise Senate bid". The Downballot. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  49. ↑ Cooper, Brad (April 30, 2025). "Rahjes planning to mount campaign for secretary of state". Sunflower State Journal. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  50. 1 2 Carter, Aja (May 24, 2026). "President Trump, Sen. Marshall endorse Ty Masterson for Kansas Governor". WIBW. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Former senator switches allegiances in governor's race". Sunflower State Journal. March 23, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  52. ↑ Biddison, Jennifer (December 29, 2025). "Maggie's List Closes 2025 With Four More Endorsements". Maggie's List. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  53. 1 2 3 "Gubernatorial election endorsements". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  54. ↑ Carpenter, Tim (June 2, 2025). "Kansas governor candidate Scott Schwab certain voting secure, eager to cut property taxes". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  55. ↑ Hennen, Mia (May 15, 2025). "Former Kansas governor Jeff Colyer jumps into 2026 race". KMUW.
  56. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  57. ↑ "Governor Forecast – 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  58. ↑ "2026 Governor Races | RealClearPolitics". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  59. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  60. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
Official campaign websites
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Kansas_gubernatorial_election