Third-party activists claiming leadership of No Labels Kansas object to blockade on candidacies
Kris Van Meteren, who seeks official status as leader of the No Labels Kansas political party, wants to be recognized as a No Labels candidate for secretary of state. Kansas officials disbanded the third-party last month. The state's candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2026. (Photo by Baya Burgess/Kansas Reflector)
TOPEKA — Kris Van Meteren and David Miller submitted paperwork to represent the No Labels Kansas political party in bids for statewide office.
Van Meteren sought affirmation of his nomination for secretary of state, while Miller requested his candidacy for insurance commissioner be recognized by Secretary of State Scott Schwab. Van Meteren and Miller are former Republicans.
Neither are likely to be confirmed as nominees of No Labels Kansas, which was formally dissolved by the secretary of state in May at the request of the political party’s officers who were recognized by the state. The Secretary of State’s Office didn’t immediately block the candidacies of Miller and Van Meteren, but warned their filings would be rejected once the Monday filing deadline passed.
“We expected it. That’s why we went to court,” Van Meteren said. “I am a big believer in the First Amendment and making sure that everyone has an opportunity to have their say if they wish to participate in our political process.”
Van Meteren and Miller filed a lawsuit in Shawnee County District Court challenging the secretary of state’s decision to terminate No Labels Kansas and to direct election personnel to transfer about 7,000 people registered with the party to the state’s list of unaffiliated voters.
The state’s official list of candidates for the August primary won’t be published until June 15, following review of qualifications and objections to individuals who did file.
While Miller may never be added to Kansas ballots as a candidate for insurance commissioner, the race is expected to feature Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, against House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita. Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, a Republican from Topeka, didn’t file for reelection. She is running for the GOP nomination for governor.
If Van Meteren’s challenge regarding No Labels Kansas fell short, the contest for secretary of state could boil down to Overland Park Democrat Jennifer Day, Shawnee Democrat Samuel Lane or state Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican. Scott Schwab, a Republican, chose to run for governor rather than another term as secretary of state.
Rep. Ken Rahjes, an Agra Republican, withdrew from the GOP secretary of state contest to serve as running mate for Schwab’s campaign in 2026.
The race for the state’s top law enforcement job offers a rematch of the 2022 campaign won by Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Lecompton Republican. He defeated Chris Mann, a Lawrence Democrat, who also filed to run in 2026.
“From day one, my focus has been on protecting Kansas families, upholding the rule of law and fighting for our Kansas values,” Kobach said when he filed.
Mann accused Kobach of failing to separate political priorities from duties to provide justice for Kansans regardless of their political status.
“When I was a prosecutor, I didn’t pick and choose which cases mattered based on who was involved. That’s not how the law works,” Mann said. “But that’s not how Kris Kobach approaches it. If a cause isn’t on his political priority list, he refuses to act.”
State Treasurer Steven Johnson, an Assaria Republican who previously served in the Kansas House, will be opposed by Democrat Juan Luengo of Olathe.