Ty Masterson announces run for Kansas governor
ANDOVER, Kan. (KSNW) — Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson announced Sunday he is running for governor, saying Kansas needs conservative leadership to reverse years of what he calls “liberal mismanagement.”
Masterson, a Republican from Andover, has served in the Kansas Senate since 2009 and was previously a member of the Kansas House. In a message on his campaign website, he said rising crime, poor student performance, and high taxes are signs the state is falling behind.
“Kansas is not living up to its potential – or its promises,” he wrote. “That’s why I am running for Governor. To take back Kansas.”
He criticized Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and said too many people are leaving the state. Masterson pointed to his record leading the Senate, including passing tax cuts, banning diversity programs in higher education, placing limits on transgender medical care for minors, and changing election laws.
Gov. Kelly is term-limited and cannot run again in 2026.
Masterson joins a growing list of Republicans in the race. Other candidates include Secretary of State Scott Schwab, former governor Jeff Colyer, insurance commissioner Vicki Schmidt, former school board member Joy Eakins, former Johnson County commissioner Charlotte O’Hara, business owner Stacy Rogers, and conservative podcaster Doug Billings.
On the Democratic side, State Sen. Cindy Holscher of Overland Park is the first to enter the race.