Kansas Politics: Holscher Secures Governor's Seat
The Democratic challenger defeated the state Senate president in a closely watched contest that kept the state's executive branch under Democratic control.
By Chinedu Schneider ·
Kansas politics have shifted slightly as Democrats retain control of the governor's office. The Associated Press called the race for Democratic state Sen. Cindy Holscher, who defeated Republican Ty Masterson.
Masterson served as president of the state Senate and received an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Analysts viewed Kansas as the most likely of the 36 gubernatorial races nationwide to flip from Democratic to Republican control this cycle. The final count required days of processing provisional ballots and local recounts due to the narrow margin.
Incumbent Gov. Laura Kelly is term limited after eight years in office. She served in a state that maintains a heavily Republican legislature and typically votes for Republican candidates in other offices and presidential elections.
Holscher, 57, campaigned on a populist platform. She promised to fight sweetheart deals for billionaires and tied Masterson to his legislative role during the passage of a tax cut under former Gov. Sam Brownback. That tax cut led to budget crises and was later repealed. Holscher also opposed school vouchers, supported public schools, and called for a moratorium on new data centers and the legalization of cannabis.
Masterson, 57, advocated for lower property taxes and stated that faith influenced his political decisions. He promised to be the most pro-agriculture, pro-business, and pro-oil and gas governor in state history. He described Holscher as the most radical, liberal, and socialist Democrat ever on a Kansas ticket. Holscher responded that he uses many labels because they are all he has.
