Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announces 2026 governor run
Schmidt, a Republican and native of Wichita, has been a local pharmacist for more than 40 years. She was elected as the Kansas insurance commissioner after serving in the Kansas Senate for Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties.
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Schmidt was elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. As insurance commissioner, she has recovered $145 million for Kansas families, according to a news release. Schmidt also said she reduced the cost of doing business in Kansas by more than $75 million.
'Throughout my personal and professional career, I have a track record of serving Kansans and actually getting things done,' Schmidt said.
'If elected governor, my top priority is the people of Kansas and making their lives better.'
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Republican candidates who have also announced their intention to run include:
Scott Schwab, current Kansas secretary of state
Jeff Colyer, former Kansas governor
Vicki Schmidt, Kansas insurance commissioner
Doug Billings, a podcaster
Stacy Rogers, a business owner
Joy Eakins, a former Wichita school board member
Charlotte O'Hara, a former Johnson County commissioner
Democratic candidates who have announced their intention to run include:
Cindy Holscher, a state senator
Other potential candidates could still emerge, as the official filing deadline is not until June 2026. The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 4, 2026, and the general election is set for Nov. 3, 2026.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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