Kansas Governor G-KS-2026 · regular

Open in research →
Cook Political Report
Lean R
As of Apr 16, 2026
✓
Sabato's Crystal Ball
Lean R
As of Mar 19, 2026
✓
Polymarket
R 61¢
D 32¢
Refreshed today
R+8
Cook PVI
Incumbent
Laura Kelly
Democrat · term_limited

Race dynamics

Premier Republican pickup opportunity. Lean R from both forecasters. Open seat in R+8 state with experienced GOP field.

Macro context

Premier GOP pickup target. Multiple GOP candidates near $1M raised in early 2025. Brutal internal GOP competition could produce damaged nominee.

History

Kelly won 2022 with 49.5% as a moderate Dem in R+8 state. Open-seat dynamic now favors GOP flip.

Top contenders

Jeff Colyer

Former Governor
Declared
Raised $1.0M as of Dec 31, 2025
Sourced: gemini

Scott Schwab

Secretary of State
Declared
Raised $1.0M as of Dec 31, 2025
Sourced: perplexity + gemini

Vicki Schmidt

Insurance Commissioner
Declared
Raised $1.0M as of Dec 31, 2025
Sourced: perplexity + gemini

Full candidate field

Republicans (5)

Jeff Colyer

Former Governor
Declared
Raised $1.0M as of Dec 31, 2025
Sourced: gemini

Scott Schwab

Secretary of State
Declared
Raised $1.0M as of Dec 31, 2025
Sourced: perplexity + gemini

Vicki Schmidt

Insurance Commissioner
Declared
Raised $1.0M as of Dec 31, 2025
Sourced: perplexity + gemini

Doug Billings

Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Ty Masterson

Senate President
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Democrats (2)

Cindy Holscher

State Senator
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

David Toland

Lt. Governor
Declared
No fundraising data
Sourced: perplexity

Other / Independent (0)

None listed.

Key dates

  • Aug 4, 2026 — primary
  • Nov 3, 2026 — General election

Race data merged from Perplexity Pro Deep Research and Gemini Deep Research, both dated 2026-05-05, with cross-source verification. Confidence badges reflect that verification: ✓✓ both sources agree, ✓ single-source, ⚠ sources disagree. Ratings published by Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball; visual treatment is ours, no partnership implied. See /map methodology for the full freshness picture.