Who's running in Kansas's 2nd congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Derek Schmidt currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Border security; he co-sponsored the law making it easier to detain and deport people without legal status who are charged with crimes.
Public safety, including stronger background checks for police hires.
Economic relief and more competition for small businesses.
Writing President Trump's policy objectives into federal law.
Encouraging rural states like Kansas to 'transform rural health' under the new federal program.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Kansas's 2nd District since January 2025; member of the Armed Services, Judiciary and Small Business committees.
Kansas attorney general 2011–2023; Kansas Senate 2001–2011, majority leader for six years; lost the 2022 governor's race to Laura Kelly by about two points.
As attorney general, challenged parts of the Affordable Care Act, emissions regulations and vaccine mandates, and challenged the 2020 election results, per KCUR.
Raised almost $1 million from January 2025 to March 2026, per KCUR.
Won the August 4, 2026 Republican primary over Chad Young.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed Schmidt for re-election, as he did in his 2022 governor's race and his 2024 House race.
— President Donald Trump, as reported by KCUR
Arguments against
Schmidt has 'been running for and been in elected office for the past 25 years. He's part of the career politicians who are more focused on doing what their party leaders want them to do. I think people are ready for new voices.'
— Don Coover, Democratic opponent (Kansas Reflector)
'Any time you spend 15, 25, 51 years in Congress, you're paid off. You're bought off. Lobbyists have bought you off.'
— Chad Young, Republican primary opponent, on career politicians (KCUR)
What we couldn’t verify
No DCCC material on Schmidt was found in a loaded source.
His campaign website address could not be confirmed from a loaded page.
Whether debates will be held had not been reported.
Reversing tariffs he says are harming agriculture.
Addressing the national debt, which he says the One Big Beautiful Bill Act adds trillions to.
Keeping rural hospitals open: 'you shouldn't have to drive four hours to get to an ER.'
A health care system 'working for people, not insurance companies', and protecting people from losing coverage through Medicaid changes.
Affordable housing, food and health care; fewer career politicians.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
US Army officer and pilot; veterinarian; rancher and business owner.
Unopposed in the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary.
Raised about $517,000 from his August 2025 launch to March 2026, per KCUR.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published argument for or against Coover by a named outside group, party or opponent was found, so none is listed; his case is in his positions. Searched: 'Don Coover' with Schmidt, endorsement, criticism and NRCC; KCUR, Kansas Reflector, KSN, KSNT, KVOE and Topeka Capital-Journal coverage.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Kansas's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. The map did not change for 2026: a Republican push to redraw the districts ahead of 2026 failed when a November 2025 special-session petition fell 10 House signatures short and GOP leaders said in January 2026 they lacked the votes to override Gov. Laura Kelly's promised veto, so the 2022 map, which the Kansas Supreme Court upheld, remains. Primaries were held August 4, 2026. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia, Politics1, KCUR and the Libertarian Party of Kansas: Republican Rep. Derek Schmidt, who beat Spring Hill Mayor Chad Young; Democrat Don Coover, unopposed; and Libertarian John Hauer. No independent candidate was found on the November ballot. The Kansas Secretary of State's candidate page could not be loaded to confirm the list. The district covers much of eastern Kansas outside the Kansas City suburbs, including Topeka, Emporia, Junction City, Pittsburg and parts of Lawrence and Kansas City, Kansas. Schmidt won 57.1% in 2024. The candidate order here follows the published candidate listings, with the incumbent first; it is not verified ballot order and implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Kansas ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.