TOPEKA, Kan. — The first Democrat has jumped into the 2026 Kansas Governor’s race.
State Senator Cindy Holscher of Overland park announced her candidacy Thursday to succeed term-limited incumbent Laura Kelly. Holscher said she plans to focus on “kitchen table” issues in her campaign.
Other priorities she has include funding for public schools, reproductive rights, and legalization of medical marijuana.
Holscher is in her second term in the Senate after two terms in the Kansas House.
So far, the only other Democrat mentioned as a potential candidate is Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. Eight Republicans have either announced candidacies or have been mentioned as potential candidates.
