Who’s got the juice? Kansas candidates for governor make their pitches to primary voters.

Many candidates, both Democrats and Republicans, have decided to run for Kansas governor. But do they have the juice? (Photo by Clay Wirestone/Kansas Reflector)

We now know the general shape of the Kansas gubernatorial race. Democrats have filed. Republicans have filed (or decided against filing). Primary battles are underway, and political enthusiasts have months to imagine various November matchups.

But what I really want to know is: Who’s got the juice?

You know juice. You can define it as charisma or verve or a sense of inevitability. Candidates want it. They need it. On the national level, figures as disparate as Barack Obama and Donald Trump obviously had the juice. Others, such as Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton, were notably juice deficient.

Having juice doesn’t necessarily equate to an outrageous personality. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly had plenty of juice during her two runs, even though she governed as a low-key technocrat.

But in looking at both the Republicans and Democrats running for government this year — admittedly in June — I find myself judging them less on experience or proposals and more on how much juice circulates through their campaigns. Most important, will Kansans be willing to buy that juice?

Here’s my subjective take on the field, with prominent Republicans listed first.

Ty Masterson: The Senate president was endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump. That’s juicy! On the other hand, Trump’s devoted following didn’t elect either of the men he previously endorsed for Kansas governor. Ask Krish Kobach and Derek Schmidt how fortunate they felt after losing to Kelly. Juice rating: Juicy now, possibly depleted later.

Philip Sarnecki: This Overland Park businessman might have more juice than expected. Political outsiders running for office have done well in the past (Trump, for one). Sarnecki has landed haymakers on Masterson. But he still seems fairly unfamiliar as a candidate and presence. Advertising might change things. Juice rating: Potential juice.

Vicki Schmidt: The former state senator and current insurance commissioner has a proven electoral record. She’s also a moderate. This makes the Republican primary her most challenging contest. If she can prevail in August, she’d have appeal to spare in the general election. Of all candidates in both parties, she most resembles Kelly. Juice rating: Dry now, juicy later.

Scott Schwab: A steady, non-dramatic presence as secretary of state, Schwab boasts conservative bona fides. He announced his intentions back in January 2025 and garnered headlines doing so. But in a primary election full of drama, he hasn’t stood out. Juice rating: A few drops at the bottom of the box.

Charlotte O’Hara: The former Johnson County commissioner and state representative has written dozens of opinion columns and called for the elimination of property tax taxes. She’s got juice, all right — but I’m not sure if Kansans dare imbibe. Juice rating: Overflowing.

On to the notable Democrats.

Ethan Corson: From all appearances, this Fairway state senator has built a solid and professional organization. He’s lined up an array of formidable endorsements from the governor and outside groups. He raised a decent amount of money. On the other hand, he’s mild mannered. Juice rating: Low, but Kelly is racing to deliver him barrels of this stuff.

Cindy Holscher: Another state senator, from Overland Park this time, Holscher boasts a populist message and devoted supporters. She doesn’t have Corson’s big endorsements, but those might not be worth much in our anti-establishment era. Plus, her daughter makes TikToks! Juice rating: A decent amount.

Curt Skoog: The Overland Park mayor apparently decided the two Johnson County politicians running for governor as Democrats weren’t juicy enough. He decided the people of Kansas needed — nay, demanded — a third Johnson County politician in the race. Juice rating: Looking parched.

Juice matters. Not only because it’s a fun word to repeat ad nauseam but because candidates with charisma and enthusiastic supporters do better. They don’t always win (sorry, Bernie Sanders). But they have a shot.

We also know what the stakes will be in the next four years in Kansas. Kelly single-handedly fended off some of the worst proposals put forth by our state Legislature.

Those include onerous restrictions on abortion, budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, attacks on the First Amendment rights of Kansans, discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and cuts to public education. You know, the stuff I spend a third of every year writing about.

The rightwing majorities in the Kansas Senate and House have made perfectly clear what they want for Kansas. While the governor can’t necessarily stop all bad policy, he or she has an outsized role in directing Kansas toward the future.

Whichever candidates make it to the November election will have to make their cases to the people. Having some juice on hand helps.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.