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      Data: MIT Election Lab, VEST, Census Bureau
      Home/Elections/2026/Governor/Kansas
      2026 ForecastTilt D
      2026·Governor·Kansas

      Kansas Governor

      Open Seat

      Laura Kelly (D) retiring

      Race Analysis

      Kansas is one of the most educated GOP-voting states and has been trending toward Democrats since 2012. Kelly proved a Democrat can win here, endorsed Corson, and remains widely popular. Another good environment tips this narrowly toward Democrats.

      Updated 2026-02-18

      Candidates & Primaries

      Democratic Candidates

      TBDDDeclared

      Kelly term-limited; Corson endorsed by Kelly

      Republican Candidates

      TBDRDeclared

      GOP primary ongoing

      State Demographics

      Kansas vs. National · Pop. 2.9M

      White (non-Hispanic)72.7%
      National: 57.4%
      Black5.3%
      National: 12.2%
      Hispanic/Latino13.6%
      National: 19.3%
      Asian2.9%
      National: 6.0%
      College Degree35.6%
      National: 35.6%
      Median Income$76,675
      National: $83,960
      Median Age37.5
      National: 39.1

      Seat History

      Governor in Kansas

      2022
      Laura KellyDEM
      D+2.2
      2018
      Laura KellyDEM
      D+5.1
      2014
      Sam BrownbackREP
      R+3.7
      2010
      Sam BrownbackREP
      R+31.1
      2006
      Kathleen SebeliusDEM
      D+17.5
      2002
      Kathleen SebeliusDEM
      D+7.8
      1998
      Bill GravesREP
      R+50.7
      1994
      Bill GravesREP
      R+28.2
      1990
      Joan FinneyDEM
      D+6.0
      1986
      Mike HaydenREP
      R+3.8
      1982
      John CarlinDEM
      D+8.7
      1978
      John CarlinDEM
      D+2.1
      1974
      Robert F BennettREP
      R+0.5
      1972
      Robert DockingDEM
      D+24.9
      1970
      Robert DockingDEM
      D+9.6
      View all Governor history for Kansas →

      Also in Kansas, 2026

      U.S. Senate
      Likely R      ← 2026 Forecast Overview
      ← 2026 Forecast OverviewKansas profileAll elections