2018 Kansas gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2018 Kansas gubernatorial election
Country:	Kansas
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Turnout:	57.6%^[1]
Previous Election:	2014 Kansas gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2014
Next Election:	2022 Kansas gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2022
Election Date:	November 6, 2018
Image1:	File:Laura Kelly official photo (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Laura Kelly
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Running Mate1:	Lynn Rogers
Popular Vote1:	506,727
Percentage1:	48.01%
Nominee2:	Kris Kobach
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Running Mate2:	Wink Hartman
Popular Vote2:	453,645
Percentage2:	42.98%
Image3:	File:Orman52414D4-536 (cropped).jpg
Nominee3:	Greg Orman
Party3:	Independent
Running Mate3:	John Doll
Popular Vote3:	68,590
Percentage3:	6.50%
Governor
Before Election:	Jeff Colyer
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Laura Kelly
After Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

The 2018 Kansas gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Kansas. Incumbent Republican Governor Sam Brownback was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term.

On July 26, 2017, Brownback was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 24, 2018;^{[2] [3]} he resigned the governorship on January 31 and was succeeded by Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer.^[4] Colyer was eligible to seek a full term and announced his candidacy prior to becoming Governor of Kansas. In the August 7 primary, Colyer ran against CPA and incumbent Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer, Topeka doctor and 2006 Republican Kansas gubernatorial nominee Jim Barnett, and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach.

On August 7, 2018, Kobach defeated Colyer in the Republican gubernatorial primary by an initial margin of 191 votes,^[5] a lead that increased to 361 votes by August 14, although discrepancies in some counties needed resolution and provisional and absentee ballots may not have been counted in some counties.^{[6] [7] [8]} Colyer conceded the Republican nomination after the final votes were tallied, in which Kobach's margin grew slightly.^[9] State Senator Laura Kelly easily won the Democratic nomination^[10] and won the general election, assuming office on January 14, 2019. Businessman Greg Orman, who finished second as an independent in the 2014 U.S. Senate race against incumbent Republican Pat Roberts, ran for governor as an independent candidate.^[11]

Given that Kansas is the only state which has no gubernatorial statutory qualifications whatsoever in its constitution, seven teenagers, including one who has never even been to the state of Kansas, ran for the office in this election cycle.^[12] A debate took place on September 5 between the three candidates that consistently polled above 5%.^[13] Polls in late August had Kelly and Kobach running close with Orman polling in the single digits.^[14]

Kelly's win continued a streak of party turnover for governor of Kansas, as Kansas has not elected two consecutive governors of the same party since William Avery succeeded fellow Republican John Anderson Jr. following the 1964 election, and neither major party has held the governorship for longer than eight consecutive years since Republican John McCuish left office in 1957.^[15]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominated

• Kris Kobach, Secretary of State of Kansas and nominee for KS-03 in 2004^[16]
  • Running mate: Wink Hartman, businessman and candidate for KS-04 in 2010^[17]

Eliminated in primary

• Jim Barnett, former state senator, nominee for governor in 2006 and candidate for KS-01 in 2010^[18]
  • Running mate: Rosemary Hansen, Barnett's wife
• Jeff Colyer, incumbent governor and candidate for KS-03 in 2002^[19]
  • Running mate: Tracey Mann, incumbent Lieutenant Governor^[20]
• Patrick Kucera, businessman^[21]
  • Running Mate: Patricia Reitz^[22]
• Tyler Ruzich, high school student^[23]
  • Running mate: Dominic Scavuzzo, high school student
• Ken Selzer, Kansas Insurance Commissioner^[24]
  • Running mate: Jen Sanderson, businesswoman^[25]
• Joseph Tutera Jr., high school student^[26]
  • Running mate: Phillip Clemente, high school student

Withdrew

• Wink Hartman, businessman and candidate for KS-04 in 2010^[27] (ran for lieutenant governor).^[28] Hartman joined Kris Kobach's campaign as his Lieutenant Gubernatorial candidate.

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jim Barnett	Jeff Colyer	Wink Hartman	Kris Kobach	Ken Selzer	Other	Undecided
Remington (R)	August 3–5, 2018	2,769	± 2.0%	14%	align=center	34%	–	32%	9%	3%^[29]	10%
The Trafalgar Group (R)	July 30 – August 2, 2018	1,546	± 2.4%	11%	36%	–	align=center	43%	5%	4%	–
Remington (R)	August 2, 2018	859	± 3.3%	13%	32%	–	32%	9%	3%	11%
JMC Analytics (R-Kobach)	July 24–26, 2018	500	± 4.4%	11%	25%	–	align=center	34%	8%	2%^[30]	20%
Remington (R)	May 14–15, 2018	1,441	± 2.6%	9%	align=center	29%	–	27%	5%	–	align=center	30%
JMC Analytics (R-Kobach)	March 15–17, 2018	500	± 4.4%	10%	18%	–	align=center	31%	4%	–	align=center	36%
Remington (R)	February 13–14, 2018	1,806	± 2.3%	8%	align=center	23%	5%	21%	3%	3%^[31]	align=center	37%
Moore Information (R)	February 11, 2018	–	–	–	20%	6%	align=center	26%	11%	–	align=center	38%

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominated

• Laura Kelly, state senator^[32]
  • Running mate: Lynn Rogers, state senator^[33]

Eliminated in primary

• Arden Andersen, physician^[34]
  • Running mate: Dale Cowsert, businessman
• Jack Bergeson, high school student^[35]
  • Running mate: Alexander Cline, high school student
• Carl Brewer, former Mayor of Wichita^[36]
  • Running mate: Chris Morrow, former mayor of Gardner^[37]
• Josh Svaty, former Kansas Secretary of Agriculture and former state representative^[38]
  • Running mate: Katrina Gier Lewison, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education member, veteran

Withdrew

• Jim Ward, Minority Leader of the Kansas House of Representatives^[39]

Declined

• Paul Davis, former Minority Leader of the Kansas House of Representatives and nominee for governor in 2014 (running for KS-02)^{[40] [41] [42] [43] [44]}

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Arden Andersen	Jack Bergeson	Carl Brewer	Laura Kelly	Josh Svaty	Undecided
GBA Strategies (D-Kelly)	June 5–7, 2018	500	± 4.4%	3%	2%	22%	align=center	35%	12%	25%
				–	–	25%	align=center	44%	12%	20%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Laura Kelly	Josh Svaty	Jim Ward	Undecided
Expedition Strategies (D-Ward)	March 4–8, 2018	–	± 4.4%	17%	7%	align=center	19%	align=center	57%
Moore Information (R)	February 11, 2018	–	–	align=center	39%	–	20%	align=center	42%

Results

Independent candidates

Candidates

On the ballot

• Rick Kloos^[45]
  • Running mate: Nathaniel Kloos, son of Rick Kloos
• Greg Orman, businessman and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014^{[44] [46]}
  • Running mate: John Doll, state senator^[47]

Write-in

• Aaron Coleman, college student^[48]

Failed to qualify

• Ilan Cohen, high school student from Maryland^[49]
• Max Correa, college student from North Carolina ^[50]
• Joe Larry Hunter, former inmate^{[51] [52]}
• Andy Maskin, New York City Advertiser^{[53] [54] [55]}
  • Running mate: Scott Goodwin, Connecticut Advertiser
• Victor Redko, McGill University student^[56]
• Jared Rogers, University of Pennsylvania student^[57]
• Nicholas Schrieber, college student from Delaware^[58]
  • Running mate: Matthew Ueckermann, college student from Maryland^[58]
• Conner Shelton, college student from Pennsylvania^[59]

Libertarian convention

Candidates

Nominated

• Jeff Caldwell, executive committee member for the Libertarian Party of Kansas^[60]
  • Running mate: Mary Gerlt

Withdrew

• Thomas Padgett^{[61] [62]}

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[63]		October 26, 2018
The Washington Post^[64]		November 5, 2018
FiveThirtyEight^[65]		November 5, 2018
Rothenberg Political Report^[66]		November 1, 2018
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[67]		November 5, 2018
RealClearPolitics^[68]		November 4, 2018
Daily Kos^[69]		November 5, 2018
Fox News^[70]		November 5, 2018
Politico^[71]		November 5, 2018
Governing^[72]		November 5, 2018

Debates

Dates	Location	Kelly	Kobach	Orman	Link
September 6, 2018	Overland Park, Kansas	Participant	Participant	Participant	align=left	Full debate - YouTube
October 30, 2018	Wichita, Kansas	Participant	Participant	Participant	align=left	Full debate - C-SPAN

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Kris Kobach (R)	Laura Kelly (D)	Greg Orman (I)	Jeff Caldwell (L)	Other	Undecided
Emerson College	October 26–28, 2018	976	± 3.3%	align=center	44%	43%	8%	–	1%	4%
Ipsos	October 17–27, 2018	986	± 3.6%	41%	align=center	43%	9%	–	2%	5%
Public Policy Polling (D-Western States Strategies)	October 19–20, 2018	698	± 3.7%	41%	41%	10%	2%	0%^[73]	6%
Remington (R)	September 30 – October 1, 2018	1,680	± 2.4%	41%	align=center	42%	10%	2%	1%^[74]	4%
Emerson College	September 26–28, 2018	938	± 3.5%	align=center	37%	36%	9%	–	3%	15%
Fort Hays State University	August 22 – September 25, 2018	324	–	36%	align=center	40%	10%	–	5%	–
Civiqs (D-Crawford County Dems)	September 21–24, 2018	1,178	± 3.4%	39%	align=center	41%	9%	5%	0%	5%
Public Policy Polling (D-Pottawatomie County Dems)	September 12–13, 2018	618	–	align=center	39%	38%	9%	1%	2%^[75]	12%
Public Policy Polling (D-KNEA PAC)	August 24–26, 2018	877	–	align=center	39%	38%	9%	1%	2%	11%
Remington (R)	July 19–20, 2018	1,189	± 2.9%	35%	align=center	36%	12%	–	–	17%

with Kris Kobach and Laura Kelly

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Kris Kobach (R)	Laura Kelly (D)	Undecided
Triton Polling & Research (I-Grow Kansas Action Fund)	October 2018	785	± 3.1%	align=center	49%	47%	–
Public Policy Polling (D-Western States Strategies)	October 17–21, 2018	698	± 3.7%	44%	align=center	48%	8%
Public Policy Polling	September 12–13, 2018	618	–	align=center	47%	46%	8%
Triton Polling & Research (I-Grow Kansas Action Fund)	August 2018	–	–	46%	46%	8%

with Kris Kobach and Greg Orman

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Kris Kobach (R)	Greg Orman (I)	Undecided
Triton Polling & Research (I-Grow Kansas Action Fund)	October 2018	785	± 3.1%	43%	align=center	49%	–
Triton Polling & Research (I-Grow Kansas Action Fund)	August 2018	–	–	40%	align=center	53%	8%

with Jeff Colyer

with generic Republican, Democrat, and Independent

Results

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Harvey (largest city: Newton)
• Johnson (largest municipality: Overland Park)
• Sedgewick (largest municipality: Wichita)

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Jefferson (largest municipality: Valley Falls)

By congressional district

Kelly won two of four congressional districts, including one that was carried by a Republican in the concurrent congressional elections.^[76]

District	Kelly	Kobach	Orman	Representative
	1st	37%	51%	9%		Roger Marshall
2nd	51%	41%	5%		Lynn Jenkins (115th Congress)
				Steve Watkins (116th Congress)
3rd	56%	37%	5%		Kevin Yoder (115th Congress)
				Sharice Davids (116th Congress)
4th	44.7%	45.4%	8%		Ron Estes

Maps

External links

• Candidates at Vote Smart
• Candidates at Ballotpedia

Debates

• GOP Primary Debate, February 17, 2018

Official campaign websites

• Jeff Caldwell (L) for Governor
• Ilan Cohen (I) for Governor Archive
• Aaron Coleman (I) for Governor Archive
• Laura Kelly (D) for Governor
• Rick Kloos (I) for Governor
• Kris Kobach (R) for Governor
• Greg Orman (I) for Governor

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kansas voter turnout was 'surprisingly high,' Kobach says . Shorman, Jonathan . . November 30, 2018 . September 12, 2020.
2. News: Sullivan. Sean. Zauzmer. Julie. Pence forced to break tie over nomination of Brownback for religious freedom post. The Washington Post. January 24, 2018. January 24, 2018.
3. News: Gov. Sam Brownback's last day in office is Jan. 31. Heilman. Nick Viviani and Matt. 2018-01-27. en. January 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180128021138/http://www.kwch.com/content/news/470954763.html. dead.
4. News: Smith. Mitch. Fortin. Jacey. Gov. Sam Brownback of Kansas Will Be Nominated as Religious Ambassador. The New York Times. July 26, 2017. July 27, 2017.
5. Web site: Unofficial Kansas Election Results. ent.sos.ks.gov. August 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180814222950/https://ent.sos.ks.gov/. August 14, 2018. dead. mdy-all.
6. News: Kris Kobach continues to build his lead after Johnson County ballots tallied. Woodall. Hunter. Vockrodt. Steve. Lowry. Bryan. Kansas City Star. August 14, 2018. en-US.
7. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/08/09/kobach-lead-over-colyer-cut-in-half-after-vote-tallying-error-discovered-in-kansas-gop-primary/ Kris Kobach, Trump ally and Kan. secretary of state, recuses himself from vote counting in his own GOP primary vs. Gov. Jeff Colyer
8. Web site: More discrepancies found in Kobach-Colyer vote totals. Melissa Brunner; Nick. Viviani. www.wibw.com.
9. News: Feuerborn . Mark . KSNT.com . Colyer concedes to Kobach a week after Kansas GOP primary . August 14, 2018 . August 14, 2018 .
10. https://www.vox.com/2018/8/7/17660516/live-results-kansas-primary-elections-2018-kobach-colyer Live results for the Kansas primary elections Kris Kobach is challenging incumbent Jeff Colyer in the GOP primary for governor.
11. News: Rucker. Philip . November 4, 2014 . Battle for the Senate: How the GOP did it . August 9, 2018 . The Washington Post.
12. Web site: As third teen joins Kansas governor race, consider this: No rule says a dog can't run . Woodall . Hunter . 2017-09-28 . The Kansas City Star . 2017-09-29.
13. Web site: Gov Debate 2018 - Johnson County Bar Association. www.jocobar.org.
14. Web site: New Poll Shows "Dead Heat" in Race for Kansas Governor | Under The Dome KS.
15. https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/without-a-clear-primary-winner-the-kansas-gop-might-be-at-a-disadvantage/2018/08/10/0866d2ee-9cb2-11e8-843b-36e177f3081c_story.html?noredirect=on Without a clear primary winner, the Kansas GOP might be at a disadvantage
16. Web site: Corruption, taxation, illegal immigration focus of Kobach's run for governor. CJOnline. Topeka Capital-Journal. June 8, 2017.
17. News: Woodall. Hunter. Kobach names Wichita businessman as running mate . March 21, 2018 . March 21, 2018.
18. Web site: Barnett launches another run at Governor's office. Emporia Gazette. Smith. Derek. June 20, 2017. June 20, 2017.
19. Web site: Barnett names wife, Rosemary Hansen, as running mate in Kansas governor's race. LJWorld.com. July 30, 2018.
20. Web site: Gov. Jeff Colyer picks Tracey Mann, Salina businessman, as GOP lieutenant governor. Hays Daily News. Carpenter. Tim. February 14, 2018. February 14, 2018. February 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180214122109/http://www.hdnews.net/news/20180214/gov-jeff-colyer-picks-tracey-mann-salina-businessman-as-gop-lieutenant-governor. dead.
21. Web site: Patrick Kucera Announces . The Green Papers . Richard E. Berg-Andersson . 2 June 2018.
22. Web site: Patricia Reitz announces . The Green Papers . Richard E. Berg-Andersson . 2 June 2018.
23. Web site: Shawnee Mission high school student becomes second teen to join Kansas governor race. The Kansas City Star. Lowry. Bryan. September 19, 2017. September 21, 2017.
24. Web site: Kansas insurance commissioner enters governor's race. The Topeka Capital-Journal. Kite. Allison. August 7, 2017. August 7, 2017.
25. Web site: Selzer tabs Goodland businesswoman for lieutenant governor. Wichita Business Journal. Wilson. Bill. May 21, 2018.
26. News: Fifth teen enters race for governor. Clarkin. Mary. The Hutchinson News. 2017-10-26. en.
27. Web site: Wink Hartman running for governor 'because it's time to fix Topeka'. . Salazar . Daniel. February 15, 2017. February 20, 2017.
28. Web site: Wichita businessman drops campaign for governor, endorses Kobach. The Kansas City Star . Lowry . Bryan . Woodall . Hunter . February 21, 2018. February 21, 2018.
29. Patrick Kucera, Tyler Ruzich, and Joseph Tutera with 1%
30. Patrick Kucera and Tyler Ruzich with 1%, Joseph Tutera with <1%
31. Mark Hutton 3%
32. Web site: Sen. Laura Kelly entering the Democratic race for Kansas governor. The Topeka Capital-Journal. Carpenter. Tim. December 15, 2017. December 15, 2017.
33. Web site: Kelly selects Lynn Rogers as running mate. The Hutchinson News. Carpenter. Tim. May 24, 2018.
34. Web site: Kansas Democrats face off in Johnson County ahead of high stakes race for governor. The Kansas City Star. Bryan. Lowry. December 7, 2017. December 31, 2017.
35. Web site: Kansas teens running on ticket for gov. The Hutchinson News. Clarkin. Mary. August 6, 2017. August 7, 2017.
36. Web site: Former Wichita mayor announces run for governor. The Wichita Eagle. Lefler. Dion. February 20, 2017. February 20, 2017.
37. Web site: Carl Brewer names another former mayor as running mate. The Wichita Eagle. Lefler. Dion. Shorman. Jonathan. May 21, 2018.
38. Web site: Democrat Joshua Svaty declares candidacy for Kansas governor. August 7, 2017.
39. Web site: House Democratic leader ends run for Kansas governor. Woodall. Hunter. May 9, 2018. The Kansas City Star. May 9, 2018.
40. Web site: Democrat Paul Davis begins bid for Congress, not governor . Shorman . Jonathan . Woodall . Hunter. The Wichita Eagle. April 13, 2017. April 17, 2017.
41. Web site: Kris Kobach could be next governor of Sunflower State. The Kansas City Star. Rose. Steve. May 7, 2016. July 8, 2016.
42. Web site: Paul Davis still a star in eyes of Kansas Democrats. . Hancock . Peter. August 22, 2015. July 8, 2016.
43. Web site: Kansas Democrats see an opening, fear they can't take advantage. The Kansas City Star. Helling. Dave. November 12, 2015. July 8, 2016.
44. Web site: So, who could run for Kansas governor in 2018?. . Lowry . Bryan . Salazar. Daniel. January 27, 2017. January 27, 2017.
45. Web site: Candidates for the 2018 General. Kansas Secretary of State. 2017-11-19. en. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080316195608/http://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_upcoming_candidate_display.asp. March 16, 2008. mdy-all.
46. Web site: Independent Greg Orman reshuffles the race for Kansas governor. The Kansas City Star. December 6, 2017. December 10, 2017. Bryan. Lowry. Jonathan. Shorman.
47. Web site: Kansas lawmaker leaving Republican Party to join Orman's independent campaign. The Kansas City Star. Bryan. Lowry. March 6, 2018. April 8, 2018.
48. Web site: High school dropout running for governor. The Hutchinson News. Mary. Clarkin. December 27, 2017. January 16, 2018.
49. Web site: Teens from outside of Kansas running for governor. matthew.heilman. May 22, 2018.
50. Web site: An App State Freshman Runs For Kansas Governor. Anna. Muckenfuss. March 18, 2018. June 15, 2018. June 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180616053349/http://theappalachianonline.com/2018/03/18/kansastothemax-an-app-state-freshman-runs-for-kansas-governor/. dead.
51. Web site: Former inmate who filed to run for Kansas governor is in jail again, charged with stealing diamonds - Lights & Sirens. LJWorld.com. May 22, 2018.
52. Web site: Former inmate running for governor. Mary. Clarkin. May 22, 2018.
53. Web site: New Yorker makes first trip to Kansas - to run for Governor. May 14, 2018. May 14, 2018.
54. Web site: New York man seeks ruling to revive run for Kansas governor. . May 21, 2018. May 21, 2018.
55. Web site: Judge rules Kansas law requires governors to be state residents. May 31, 2018. May 31, 2018.
56. Web site: State of Kansas ex rel. Derek Schmidt, Attorney General v. Secretary of State. April 10, 2018. June 15, 2018.
57. Web site: Jared Rogers Runs for Governor. June 5, 2018.
58. Web site: Delaware college student seeks Kansas governor's office. Hutchinson News. Mary. Clarkin. February 16, 2018. February 16, 2018.
59. Web site: 7th teen candidate for governor has never lived in Kansas. Topeka Capital Journal. Allison. Kite. February 15, 2018. February 15, 2018.
60. News: Kansas Libertarian Jeff Caldwell files to be on gubernatorial ballot - The Topeka Capital Journal. 2018-04-24. The Topeka Capital Journal. 2018-04-24. en-US.
61. Web site: Twenty-year-old Topeka Libertarian launches bid for Kansas governor. Tim. Carpenter. May 22, 2018.
62. Web site: Thomas Padgett for Kansas. www.facebook.com. en. 2018-04-01.
63. Web site: 2018 Governor Race Ratings for October 26, 2018. The Cook Political Report. en. 2021-04-10.
64. News: The Washington Post's gubernatorial race ratings. The Washington Post. October 16, 2018.
65. Web site: 2018 Governor Forecast FiveThirtyEight. FiveThirtyEight. en. October 17, 2018.
66. Web site: 2018 Gubernatorial Ratings Inside Elections. insideelections.com. en. 2017-11-15.
67. Web site: Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2018 Governor. www.centerforpolitics.org. en-US. 2017-11-15.
68. Web site: 2018 Governor Races. RealClearPolitics. October 9, 2018.
69. Web site: 2018 Governor Race Ratings. Daily Kos. June 5, 2018.
70. Web site: 2018 Midterm Power Ranking. Fox News.
71. Web site: Politico Race Ratings. Politico.
72. Web site: 2018 Governor Elections: As November Nears, More Governors' Races Become Tossups . www.governing.com . en . 2018-07-18 . October 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181021005343/http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-governors-races-july-ratings.html . dead .
73. Rick Kloos (I) with 0%
74. Rick Kloos (I) with 1%
75. Rick Kloos (I) with 2%
76. Web site: Daily Kos.