Kansas voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 4, for the 2026 Primary Election, which includes federal, state and local races, along with a proposed constitutional amendment regarding the selection of Kansas Supreme Court justices.
Locally, incumbent commissioners Roy Ballard (District 1), Preston Evenson (District 2) and Mac Obourn (District 3) have filed for re-election. JJ Smith has also filed in District 2, creating the county’s only contested commission race.
Several individuals have also filed for Township Clerk positions and Republican Precinct Committeeman and Committeewoman offices. A complete listing of those candidates will be published in next week’s edition.
Voters will also decide whether to amend the Kansas Constitution to change how Kansas Supreme Court justices are selected. Currently, a nominating commission recommends candidates to the governor, who appoints a justice subject to later retention elections. A YES vote would replace that system with direct election of Supreme Court justices by voters, while a NO vote would retain the current process.
Contested statewide races include Republican and Democratic primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House District 4, Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and State Board of Education District 9. Republican primaries will also be held for District Court Judge positions in the 13th Judicial District.
Candidates for statewide and federal offices include: U.S. Senate: Democratic: Damon Anderson, Christy Davis, Adam Hamilton, Jason Hart, Kevin Latz, Erik Murray, Sandy Spidel Neumann, Anne Parelkar, Patrick C. Schmidt, Michael “Mike” Soetaert and Noah Taylor; Republican: Roger Marshall and Pond Naramore. U.S. House District 4: Democratic: Chris Carmichael, Cole Epley, Ryan Gilbert and Katy Tyndell; Republican: Ron Estes and Frank A. McCollum. Governor/Lt. Governor: Democratic: Ethan Corson/Renee Duxler, Cindy Holscher/KC Ohaebosim and Curt Skoog/Jennifer Bacani McKenney; Republican: Ty Masterson/Jeffrey Klemp, Charlotte O’Hara/ Michelle Dombrosky, Nick Reinecker/Katy Reinecker, Stacy Rogers/Michael Smith, Philip Sarnecki/Joy Eakins, Vicki Schmidt/Joe Newland and Scott Schwab/ Ken Rahjes.
Other candidates on the ballot include Jennifer Day and Samuel Lane (Democratic Secretary of State), Pat Proctor (Republican Secretary of State), Chris Mann (Democratic Attorney General), Kris Kobach (Republican Attorney General), Juan C. Luengo (Democratic Treasurer), Steven Johnson (Republican Treasurer), Dinah Sykes (Democratic Insurance Commissioner), Daniel Hawkins (Republican Insurance Commissioner), Mark Remmert (Democratic House District 13), Duane Droge (Republican House District 13), Heather Guernsey (Democratic State Board of Education District 9), and Republicans Destry Brown, Kristian Gerken and Renee Slinkard.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters are encouraged to verify their registration status and polling location before heading to the polls.
