Democratic state Sen. Cindy Holscher will keep the Kansas governor's office in her party's hands, defeating Republican Ty Masterson in a race the Associated Press has called. The result preserves Democratic control of a seat that, of the 36 governor's elections held across the country, was regarded as the most likely to switch from Democratic to Republican.
Masterson, who serves as president of the state Senate, had the endorsement of President Trump. Holscher, 57, and Masterson, 57, are the same age. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who has led the state for eight years, is term-limited and cannot seek another term. Kansas has a heavily Republican legislature and typically backs Republicans in presidential contests and for other statewide offices.
Holscher campaigned with populist themes, pledging to take on "sweetheart deals" for billionaires. She sought to link Masterson to his Senate record, including his role when the chamber approved a tax cut under former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback — a measure that produced repeated budget crises before lawmakers repealed it.
On policy, Holscher came out against school vouchers and pressed for greater support for public schools, while Masterson supported vouchers. She also advocated a moratorium on new data centers and backed legalizing cannabis as a source of state revenue. Masterson, for his part, pushed for lower property taxes and said his faith shaped every decision he makes, politics included. He pledged to be the "most pro-ag, pro-business, pro-oil and gas governor" the state has seen, and he described Holscher as "the most radical, liberal, socialist Democrat ever" to appear on a Kansas ticket.
Holscher dismissed that characterization, telling NPR: "He likes to throw around a whole lot of labels. You know why? Because that's all he's got."
The outcome means Kansas Democrats retain the governor's mansion despite the state's Republican lean in most federal and statewide races, a result that will shape school funding, tax policy and energy development in the state for the next four years.
