Who's running in Kansas's 4th 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 · Ron Estes 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.
Building on the 2025 'Working Families Tax Cut', including no tax on tips and overtime, lower taxes on Social Security, Trump Accounts and the expanded Child Tax Credit.
Holding the line on federal spending and cracking down on fraud and waste to address the debt.
Protecting life from conception.
Requiring proof of citizenship and photo ID to register to vote.
An immigration process that prioritises security while letting legal applicants finish in a timely way.
Avoiding burdensome environmental regulation on farmers, ranchers and businesses while holding China accountable as a polluter.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Kansas's 4th District since April 2017; member of the Ways and Means Committee.
Kansas state treasurer 2011–2017; Sedgwick County treasurer 2005–2011.
Won the August 4, 2026 Republican primary over Frank McCollum; reelected with 65.0% in 2024.
Endorsed by President Trump and the NRA Political Victory Fund, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
Estes points to his seat on the Ways and Means Committee, his advocacy for Wichita's aviation industry and his constituent services as evidence he is delivering results for the district.
— Rep. Ron Estes, as reported by The Community Voice
President Trump endorsed Estes for re-election.
— President Donald Trump, per Wikipedia's race page
Arguments against
'Right now we have a lawmaker who isn't showing up and isn't providing leadership' on health care costs, schools or the war in Iran, while Congress capitulates to President Trump.
— Katy Tyndell, Democratic opponent (Kansas Reflector via HPPR)
Estes is rarely visible to constituents — the long-running Democratic refrain 'Where's Ron?'
— Democratic opponents, as reported by The Community Voice
What we couldn’t verify
No DCCC material on Estes 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.
Ending the Trump tariffs and the war in Iran, and making sure any tariff refunds reach consumers and small businesses.
Expanding access to health care after cuts to Medicaid and ACA subsidies.
Congress passing all appropriations bills on time and reviewing the budget line by line.
Codifying abortion rights federally, in line with Kansas's 2022 vote.
Restarting from the 2024 bipartisan border bill, with stricter asylum rules, legal pathways to citizenship and more enforcement.
Restoring Congress as a co-equal branch; passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and ending partisan gerrymandering.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
Co-founder of Leading Kansas; oil and gas attorney and business owner.
Won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary over Chris Carmichael; candidate Ryan Gilbert suspended his campaign and endorsed her, per KMUW.
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 Tyndell by a named outside group, party or opponent was found, so none is listed; her case is in her positions. Searched: 'Katy Tyndell' with Estes, NRCC, Kansas GOP, endorsement and criticism; KMUW, Wichita Eagle, KWCH, Kansas Reflector and The Community Voice coverage.
Her campaign website address and fundraising were not found in a loaded source.
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 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 remains. Primaries were held August 4, 2026. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia, Politics1, KMUW and the Libertarian Party of Kansas: Republican Rep. Ron Estes, who beat Frank McCollum; Democrat Katy Tyndell, who beat Chris Carmichael and two candidates who had withdrawn but stayed on the ballot; and Libertarian Drew Cranmer. An independent who filed paperwork, Paul Catanese, was not found on the November ballot. The Kansas Secretary of State's candidate page could not be loaded to confirm the list. The district covers Wichita and 16 south-central Kansas counties, including Sedgwick, Butler, Cowley, Harvey and Sumner. Estes won 65.0% 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.