to protect Democracy
Other Candidates
If you're registered as a Democrat or a Republican, you can vote in the August primary for which of your party's candidates you want to advance to the general election. Some people vote for their favorites. Others vote for who they think stands the best chance of winning against the other party's candidate. Your call.
I've been registered "unaffiliated" (Independent) most of my adult life, so I've never voted in a primary before, except that one time abortion rights were on the ballot.
Democrats
The 2026 races are getting crowded. For registered Democrats, here's a collection of websites for the candidates you can choose from in the primaries.
US SENATE
I've heard several of these people speak at various events. For the most part they have similar policy goals, but different approaches and very different backgrounds. I know I'm going to have a tough time deciding who I want to vote for in the primaries.
Christy Davis Impressive background. Apparently she's worked in all 105 Kansas counties.
Adam Hamilton Only recently declared. Apparently he runs a megachurch in the KC area.
Jason Hart Former child sex crime prosecutor. Has a plan to use his attorney skills to conduct investigations in DC and get convictions.
Kevin Latz Recently declared. Medical doctor, very religious. That's about all I know about him.
Erik Murray Very charismatic. Believes his diverse (WyCo) background gives him the skills he will need in congress to build coalitions outside the party.
Sandy Spidel Neumann More of a moderate, which some people would consider to be a good thing.
Anne Parelkar Very no nonsense. Running because she's pissed off at the way things are going. I can definitely relate!
Noah Taylor Afghanistan combat vet. Very passionate about what he wants to accomplish with his run for office; I can hear it in his voice.
US HOUSE
District 1 most of the North and West
Colin McRoberts Business professor and professional negotiator. Effortless public speaker.
District 2 most of Eastern Kansas
Don Coover West point grad who now runs a cattle genetics company. No nonsense.
Braeden Curwick Union guy. Young and new to politics.
District 3 South of downtown KC
Sharice Davids Our beloved incumbent.
District 4 middle of South Kansas
Chris Carmichael, Cole Epley, Ryan Gilbert, Katy Tyndell
GOVERNOR
As far as I can tell, there are no bad choices.
Ethan Corson Very willing to engage with Western Kansas, a traditional weakness of the Democratic Party
Cindy Holscher Strong state congressional record
Marty Tuley Calls himself an "unconventional Democrat" (pro 2A, for example). Largely focused on schools and school lunches.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Chris Mann Ex cop, well qualified. Chris is set to face off in the general election against Kris Kobach, whom long-time Kansans will remember as the Attorney General who, back when he was Secretary of State, tried to impose harsh state voter ID laws eerily similar to the more contemporary SAVE Act -- laws that were struck down by the Courts. I'd definitely rather see Mann win this race.
SECRETARY OF STATE
Yes, I have competition in the Democratic primary for Secretary of State. Check out her website, and then decide if you'd rather vote for her or me.
Jennifer Day
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Amy Diediker District 3
Lorie Wood District 5
Republicans
And for registered Republicans, here are the major candidates for your primary, so far. I haven't been invited to many Republican events, so I haven't met any of these candidates, and can't tell you much about them.
US SENATE
Chase LaPorte running for both Senate and House District 3
US HOUSE
District 1 most of the North and West
District 2 most of Eastern Kansas
District 3 South of downtown KC
Chase LaPorte 2 offices, zero campaign websites. Come on, Chase.
Blake Stanley (website?)
District 4 middle of South Kansas
GOVERNOR
Democrats have a boatload of senate candidates, Republicans have a ton of gubernatorial candidates.
Doug Billings, Joy Eakins, Ty Masterson, Charlotte O'Hara, Stacy Rogers, Philip Sarnecki, Vicki Schmidt, Scott Schwab
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Kris Kobach Poor Kris and his controversy addiction. He'll shrivel up and die like a slug in salt if he doesn't do something crass to grab headlines once in a while.
SECRETARY OF STATE
Both current state lawmakers that voted to make it more risky to vote by mail -- that is to end the Kansas 3-day grace period
Ken Rahjes, the low-key one, Pat Proctor the controversy magnet. Loud Light in particular has a major beef with him. The tea is thick between them.
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Kansas congressional districts for the House of Representatives, 2023 redistricting. Map taken from Wikipedia and doublechecked against the Secretary of State's website.
Independents
My old crew the Independents aren't a party, but a catch-all for anyone neither Democrat nor Republican. Hence, they don't get a primary.
US HOUSE
District 1
Craig Musser Independent
District 4
Drew Cranmer Libertarian