Kansas Democratic candidates for governor shaping 2026 campaigns to entice rural voters

Democratic candidates for Kansas governor, Sens. Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher, used the state party's first candidate forum on Nov. 24, 2025, to differentiate themselves from one another and Republicans. (Photos by Anna Kaminski and Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA — A pair of state senators from Johnson County competing for the Kansas Democratic Party’s nomination for governor are eager to demonstrate political connections to Republican and independent voters who have a dominant presence in rural Kansas.

Sens. Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher were asked Monday night during an online forum whether they can draw enough support from voters outside the Democratic Party to be competitive in a statewide race for governor. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly won back-to-back elections, sweeping urban counties and outperforming her predecessors in rural areas of Kansas.

Both of the 2026 Democratic candidates for governor highlighted their ability to influence policy in the Kansas Legislature despite two-thirds Republican majorities in the House and Senate.

Corson, who broke campaign donation records by raising $625,000 since announcing in July, is prone to talking about his time playing collegiate baseball in western Kansas. He says he’s running because he believes it is important to have a governor who will ensure the next generation of Kansans stays in Kansas.

He is promising a campaign different than any other run by a Democrat because of “a deep moral obligation to do right by western Kansas.”

“I think one of the big mistakes our party has made is that we wait until three weeks before the election, and then we go out to western Kansas and ask people for their votes,” Corson said. “I think it’s wrong and it’s disrespectful.”

Holscher is committing to a grassroots campaign that is “with and for the people.” She speaks frequently about her rural upbringing and her family’s work ethic.

Holscher said she is running for governor because “Kansans deserve a better deal and a lower cost of living.” She promises to be “a fighter” who stands up to President Donald Trump and extremism.

“The question isn’t whether the Democratic candidates share values. We do,” Holscher said. “The question is, who has the proven ability to deliver results and win tough races?”

Shared values, different approaches

Corson, of Fairway, earned current Gov. Laura Kelly’s endorsement. She called him a “true middle-of-the-road” politician. He said he was born and raised in Kansas, attending public schools up until his graduation from Garden City Community College. He later became an attorney, worked in Washington, D.C. and returned to Kansas, where he served as director of the state party and was elected to the Kansas Senate in 2020.

Holscher, of Overland Park, has spent the past 26 years in Kansas, and she has been involved in politics for nearly a decade, beginning during the administration of GOP Gov. Sam Brownback. She has served two terms each in the House and Senate. She was born in Missouri and said she grew up on a farm and she is a first-generation college graduate.

Democrat Marty Tuley of Lawrence also declared his candidacy for governor, but he was not a participant in the forum with Corson and Holscher. The state party’s chairwoman said 500 people registered for the virtual event.

In 2026, the campaign for Kansas governor includes a dense field of Republican candidates, including former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Senate President Ty Masterson, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, former Johnson County Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara and former Wichita school board member Joy Eakins.

Johnson County, the Kansas City suburb where Corson and Holscher both reside, is the wealthiest county in Kansas and among the richest counties in the country, according to Census data.

The forum for Democratic candidates explored a range of political issues, including rising consumer prices, public education and legislative efficacy.

Holscher said Kansans “can’t afford an extremist” as the next governor. She called out Masterson multiple times for failing to pass property tax relief during his time as Senate president and for his conservative politics.

“I’m not like Ty Masterson. I’m a workhorse, and I get things done,” Holscher said. She also referred to Masterson as “Brownback on steroids.”

Megan Stookey, a spokesperson for Masterson’s campaign, said Kansans overwhelmingly voted for Trump’s agenda and “Masterson is proud to stand with him to put our state and our country first.”

She said it’s hypocritical to target Masterson for failing on property taxes.

“As Senate President, Ty led the fight to eliminate $90 million in property taxes, the only portion of property taxes owed directly to the state. After voting against major property tax relief multiple times during the 2025 session, Sen. Cindy Holscher went on to endorse local Democrat candidates with records of opposition to property tax relief,” Stookey said.

Corson criticized Kansas Republicans for passing laws they know will solicit lawsuits. He also said, if governor, he would veto Republicans’ costly special-interest earmark projects. A spokesperson for the Kansas Republican Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

He said housing is a major barrier to job growth in Kansas. Businesses want to expand, and others want to move to Kansas but don’t because they often think workers won’t be able to find housing, Corson said.

He proposed expanding the state’s property tax freeze for seniors to encompass a wider range of people and strengthening renter protections. He also vowed to sign into law, if elected, a child care tax credit.

Corson advocated for full funding of special education and renewing or strengthening the state’s K-12 public school finance formula. The process to rework the formula, which has been the subject of past lawsuits, is currently underway.

Holscher said she opposes school voucher efforts that benefit private schools and vowed, if elected, to implement a statewide plan to improve teacher retention.

She underscored issues Kansas’ next governor must address, including groundwater scarcity for ranchers, rural hospitals at risk of closure, infrastructure and economic development needs, such as broadband access and stronger public schools.

She also expressed support for legalizing medicinal marijuana and investing in labor apprenticeship programs across the state.

Both Corson and Holscher said they would pledge their full support to whoever wins the Democratic primary.