2 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.
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.
Affordability first: 'the main focus really is on affordability, in terms of addressing lack of access to affordable healthcare, childcare and housing.'
Tax relief aimed at working and middle-class Kansans 'not billionaires' — she has backed ending the state sales tax on food and creating childcare tax credits.
Fully funding public schools.
Expanding Medicaid in Kansas.
Scrutiny of data centre incentives: 'we see they suck up the resources in terms of water. We see energy usage causing utility bills to skyrocket.' She previously supported data centre incentives and says she changed position after hearing from constituents.
Legalising cannabis for both medical and recreational use.
Protecting abortion access; she opposed the 2026 ballot measure to change how Kansas Supreme Court justices are selected, calling it a 'backdoor attempt' on abortion rights, voting access and public education.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Kansas state senator from the 8th district since 2021; member of the Kansas House of Representatives for four terms before that.
Career in advertising at Sprint before entering politics.
Advocated for full funding of public schools and for Medicaid expansion in the legislature.
Supported ending the state sales tax on food and creating childcare tax credits.
Changed her position on data centre tax incentives during the 2026 campaign, from support to opposition.
Won the August 4 2026 Democratic primary with about 48.6% over Ethan Corson and Curt Skoog, without the sitting Democratic governor's endorsement.
Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes.
Arguments in favor
She has a legislative record of pushing the things Kansans say they want and the legislature has blocked — full school funding, Medicaid expansion for more than 120,000 Kansans, and tax relief aimed at working families rather than the top.
— Democratic Governors Association
She is the candidate willing to say no to data centre subsidies, on the ground that the projects raise utility bills and consume water without paying their way.
— Cindy Holscher, in an August 2026 Democracy Now! interview
She would protect abortion access in Kansas, where voters rejected an abortion amendment in 2022 and a court-selection measure in 2026.
— Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes
Arguments against
'If anyone needs proof that Cindy Holscher is a radical, here it is. She mocked Jesus Christ to defend drag shows for kids, and she's never apologized' — a reference to resurfaced 2023 social media posts. Her campaign says the attack is meant to divert attention from economic issues.
— Ty Masterson, Republican nominee
She reversed her position on data centre incentives during the campaign, which her primary opponent raised against her as inconsistency rather than responsiveness.
— Ethan Corson, her Democratic primary opponent, in a primary debate
Her agenda — Medicaid expansion, cannabis legalisation and higher school spending — is out of step with a state where Republicans hold a roughly two-to-one registration advantage, and would mean new state spending she has not fully costed.
— Ty Masterson for Governor campaign
What we couldn’t verify
Her official campaign website could not be verified, so no URL is listed.
How she would fund Medicaid expansion and increased school funding through a Republican legislature that has repeatedly blocked both.
Her position on the property tax question that has dominated the Republican side of the race.
Lowering property taxes and continuing to cut taxes until 'Kansas is one of the most affordable states to work, raise a family, and start a business.'
Prioritising funding for police.
Raising pay for 'good teachers' — merit-based rather than across the board.
Banning transgender girls from girls' school sports.
Restricting diversity programmes at state universities.
Opposing Medicaid expansion in Kansas.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
President of the Kansas Senate since 2021; state senator from the 16th district since 2009; member of the Kansas House 2005-2008.
Small business owner.
Helped negotiate the 2024 Kansas tax law that reduced state income and property taxes by about $2 billion over five years.
Has been one of the leading figures blocking Medicaid expansion in Kansas, which supporters of expansion say would cover more than 120,000 Kansans.
As Senate president, led override efforts against vetoes by Governor Laura Kelly.
Won the August 4 2026 Republican primary with about 43.2% in a seven-candidate field, with President Trump's endorsement.
Arguments in favor
He has already delivered a roughly $2 billion tax cut over five years as Senate president, so his promise to keep cutting property and income taxes is a record rather than a pledge.
— Ty Masterson for Governor campaign
He would fund police and raise pay for good teachers while holding the line on the university diversity programmes and school sports policies he says most Kansans oppose.
— Ty Masterson for Governor campaign
He consolidated a crowded and expensive seven-way primary field with President Trump's endorsement, and enters the general election with the state's registration advantage behind him.
— President Donald Trump, as reported by NBC News and Kansas Reflector
Arguments against
He is 'an extremist,' and 'the Brownback years are still fresh in our memory — we can't afford to go back to serving an extremist partisan agenda at the expense of crumbling roads, failing schools and gutted police departments.'
— Kansas Democratic Party
He has personally led the effort to block Medicaid expansion, keeping coverage from more than 120,000 Kansans and turning away hundreds of millions of federal dollars.
— Kansas Democratic Party
He has run his campaign on years-old social media posts by his opponent rather than on the economic questions — utility bills, housing, childcare — that voters say they care about.
— Cindy Holscher campaign
What we couldn’t verify
How further property and income tax cuts would be paid for alongside more police and teacher funding; no revenue plan was located.
His position on data centre incentives, which both sides expect to be a major issue.
Whether he would sign further abortion restrictions, given that Kansas voters rejected an abortion amendment in 2022.
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.
Open seat: Democrat Laura Kelly is term-limited. Roster established from Wikipedia's race page, Kansas Reflector, the Lawrence Times / Kansas News Service candidate guide, NBC News and The Hill, cross-checked. In the August 4 2026 primaries, state Senator Cindy Holscher won the Democratic nomination with about 48.6%, beating Ethan Corson (38.8%), whom Governor Kelly had endorsed, and Curt Skoog (12.6%); Senate President Ty Masterson won a seven-candidate Republican primary with about 43.2% after a Trump endorsement. Kansas elects governor and lieutenant governor as a joint ticket: Holscher runs with state Representative KC Ohaebosim, Masterson with state Senator Jeff Klemp. Two independent candidates — Sharilyn Ray of Wichita and Brandon Adams — were reported during the filing period, but it could not be confirmed that either met Kansas's signature requirement for the general election ballot, and Wikipedia's general election section lists only the two major-party tickets, so they are named here rather than profiled. Republicans hold roughly a two-to-one voter registration advantage in Kansas.
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.