14-05-2025
Former Gov. Jeff Colyer joins Republican primary for Kansas governor
Former Gov. Jeff Colyer announced his campaign for Kansas governor on May 15, becoming the fourth candidate to enter the race.
Colyer served about a year as governor, assuming the office after the resignation of Gov. Sam Brownback. He served as Brownback's lieutenant governor and prior to that served a term in the Kansas House and half a term in the Kansas Senate — which he vacated to join Brownback's ticket.
Colyer announced his candidacy on Mundo in the Morning, a Kansas City-area talk radio show, on May 14.
In a newsletter, he listed his priorities as the following:
Make the state more affordable for families.
Create a Kansas Department of Government Efficiency to address waste, fraud and red tape.
Remove diversity, equity and inclusion directives in schools and universities.
Simplify the tax code, lower property taxes and attract jobs.
Protect parental rights.
Securing the border.
Colyer highlighted his ties to President Donald Trump. Colyer chaired Trump's 2024 campaign in the state.
"President Trump is leading the greatest American comeback in history — and Kansas needs a Governor who will fight side by side with him. I'm your man. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves, take on the special interests, and deliver real results — for you, your family, and every Kansan who dreams big," Colyer's newsletter said.
Colyer sought the governorship in 2018 but narrowly lost the primary to then-Secretary of State Kris Kobach by fewer than 400 votes. Kobach was bolstered by an endorsement from Trump a day before the election.
Colyer considered running for the role again in 2022 but left the race after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Outside of politics, Colyer is a plastic surgeon who has volunteered with the International Medical Corps in war-torn regions.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Jeff Colyer is seeking his first full term as Kansas governor
