Kansas voters weigh split ticket choices

Kansas voters have a record of selecting candidates from different parties for state and federal offices, a pattern that may return in 2026.

The 2022 cycle demonstrated this tendency when Democrat Laura Kelly won the governor's race while Republican Jerry Moran secured reelection to the U.S. Senate.

This year, Republican incumbent Roger Marshall faces Democrat Adam Hamilton for the Senate seat.

In the gubernatorial contest, Democrat Cindy Holscher challenges Republican Ty Masterson, as Kelly reaches her term limit.

Voters indicate they evaluate federal leaders on national issues such as gas prices, immigration, and grocery costs.

Debbi Knowles, a voter in Johnson County, stated her goal is to have leaders who bring gas and grocery prices down.

Conversely, voters view the governor as the primary actor for local concerns like property taxes.

Jan Rosenblum noted that voting for different parties reflects the nature of democracy and individual choice.

Abigail Vegtor, a political science director at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, described Kansans as pragmatic.

Vegtor explained that voters are more willing to choose a pragmatic Democrat to manage the state than to represent Kansas nationally.

Unaffiliated voter Mimi Stoltz predicted a split ticket outcome based on specific candidate issues.

In-person advance voting in Kansas remains open through Monday, November 2, at noon.