Two politicians in leadership positions in the Kansas Legislature are running against against each other for Kansas Insurance Commissioner. Republican Speaker of the House Daniel Hawkins is running against Democratic Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes. The election is for an open position, because incumbent Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt (R) ran for governor this year, where she was among the losing candidates in the Republican Primary. The Insurance Commissioner leads the Kansas Insurance Department, which regulates insurance companies, educates consumers, and advocates for a competitive insurance market. On the Issues Both Daniel Hawkins (R) and Dinah Sykes (D) are members of the Kansas Legislature, so we can compare how they voted on key issues. In 2021, Daniel Hawkins voted for a state constitutional amendment that would have given the Kansas Legislature the legal authority to ban abortion. Dinah Sykes voted against the constitutional amendment. Kansas voters rejected the amendment by 18%. I discussed the anti-abortion constitutional amendment on my blog. In 2023, Daniel Hawkins (R) voted for a Transgender Sports Ban. Dinah Sykes (D) voted against the Transgender Sports Ban. I discussed the Trans Sports Ban on my blog. In 2024, Daniel Hawkins voted for a bill that would replace the progressive state income tax with a flat income tax. Doing so would have primarily benefited the rich, and would have been a windfall for Billionaire Charles Koch, the wealthiest Kansas resident, according to an analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP). Daniel Hawkins (R) even had the audacity to lie that the bill was, “purposely designed to primarily help those who are on the lower rungs of the economic ladder.” One look at the graph above shows that Hawkins was telling an outrageous lie. This story proves Daniel Hawkins (R) cares about helping the rich, not about helping you. In the Senate, Dinah Sykes (D) voted against a different bill that would have replaced the progressive state income tax with a flat tax, which also would have primarily benefited the rich. I wrote an article about the efforts by Kansas Republicans to enact a flat state income tax. Daniel Hawkins (R) voted for a law that prevents transgender Kansans from obtaining identity documents that reflect their gender identity, and makes it illegal for them to use certain restrooms and locker rooms. Dinah Sykes (D) voted against the anti-trans law. I discussed the draconian anti-trans law in an article I wrote for my blog, Meticulous Musings. Daniel Hawkins supports Trump’s immigration policies. On his campaign website, Hawkins says that he, “banned sanctuary cities in Kansas, and put in place numerous provisions to help the Trump administration push back on illegal immigration.” Medicaid Expansion Kansas is one of only 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which is also known as Obamacare. Here is a map showing which states have and haven’t expanded Medicaid, which was created by KFF, a nonprofit that covers healthcare policy. Expanding Medicaid would greatly benefit the people of Kansas. Republican politicians, like Daniel Hawkins, are the reason why Kansas hasn’t expanded Medicaid, despite public support for the policy. On his campaign website, Hawkins lists among his accomplishments that, “for over a decade, Dan has led the effort to prevent the expansion of Obamacare in our state.” Dinah Sykes (D) supports expanding Medicaid in Kansas. Kansas should have an Insurance Commissioner who supports expanding Medicaid. Conclusion Kathleen Sebelius (D), who served as Kansas Governor and Kansas Insurance Commissioner, has endorsed Dinah Sykes (D). Former Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger (R) has endorsed Dinah Sykes (D) as well. The choice is clear. I strongly endorse Dinah Sykes (D) for Kansas Insurance Commissioner. Daniel Hawkins’s record is terrible. Let’s not reward him, by electing him Insurance Commissioner. Additional Information The Kansas News Service wrote a guide for the Kansas Insurance Commissioner Race. Republicans generally win Kansas Insurance Commissioner elections by wide margins. The Republican candidate has won each of the five most recent Kansas Insurance Commissioner Races by more than 20%. Earlier this year, I discussed the competitiveness of statewide elections in Kansas.

Cindy Holscher (D) is running against Ty Masterson (R) for Kansas Governor. Cindy Holscher is a State Senator. Ty Masterson is the State Senate President. The stakes of the Kansas Governor Race are incredibly high, as the candidates have strong differences of opinion on important issues facing the state. Brownback Tax Cuts Under Gov. Sam Brownback, Republicans approved large income tax cuts, which wreaked havoc on the state budget. Among other things, the tax cuts meant the state had to subsequently cut funding for education and infrastructure. Brownback’s tax policies failed to boost the economy, as its supporters said it would. Inside the Kansas Legislature, Ty Masterson supported the Brownback Tax Cuts. Within the Kansas Legislature, Cindy Holscher helped repeal the Brownback Tax Cuts. Cutting Taxes for the Rich In 2024, Republicans in the Kansas Legislature attempted to replace the state’s progressive income tax rate with a flat income tax. The flat income tax would primarily benefit the rich, and would have been a windfall for Charles Koch, the wealthiest Kansas resident, according to an analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP). Senate President Ty Masterson even had the audacity to lie that the law was, “geared toward helping retirees, homeowners, and those living paycheck to paycheck.” The Kansas Senate subsequently voted on a different flat income tax proposal, which would also primarily benefit the rich. Ty Masterson (R) voted for the flat income tax. Cindy Holscher (D) voted against the flat income tax. I wrote an article about Republicans’ unsuccessful attempt to enact a flat income tax in Kansas. A Corrupt Arrangement Cindy Holscher has accused Ty Masterson of having a “no show job.” Last year, Masterson received $163,000 as the Director of GoCreate at Wichita State University. GoCreate is a community workshop funded by the Billionaire Koch Family. The Kansas City Star has reported on the controversy surrounding Masterson’s role. This summer, Masterson said the flexible nature of the job allows him to work “on site a couple days a week.” “Some weeks, I do two to three (days of in-person work) and some weeks I won’t,” Masterson said in an interview. The Kansas City Star cited an analysis from the Kansas Legislative Research Department that said the GoCreate Director, like every other employee, is paid from an operational budget that “includes funding from the Koch Foundation and revenue generated by GoCreate streams,” such as rentals and membership fees. At most, it appears Masterson’s role as GoCreate Director is a part-time job. $163,000 a year is a lot to make for a part-time job in Kansas. The Kansas City Star reported Masterson received more than $1.1 million from Wichita State University over the last decade, according to state records. It appears the job is a way for the Koch Family to buy political influence with a powerful Republican in a leadership position in Topeka. Masterson’s support for a flat income tax, which would have saved Charles Koch $875,000 a year, appears to show that Koch’s investment in Masterson’s side hustle has been an effective way to buy influence in Kansas Government. Clay Wirestone at the Kansas Reflector is among those upset by the apparent corruption of Ty Masterson's side gig. Medicaid Expansion Kansas is one of only 10 states that haven’t expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Here is a map showing which states have and haven’t expanded Medicaid, which was created by KFF, a nonprofit that covers healthcare policy. I discussed the debate surrounding Medicaid Expansion in Kansas, and previous attempts to expand the state’s medicaid program, in an article I wrote in 2022. Cindy Holscher (D) supports expanding Medicaid. Ty Masterson (R) opposes expanding Medicaid. The Manhattan Mercury asked Ty Masterson, “As governor will you actively champion Medicaid expansion? Why or why not?” Masterson replied, “Medicaid should serve the people it was designed for: the elderly, the disabled and low-income mothers and children. Expansion adds able-bodied adults without dependents while those Kansans sit on waiting lists.” Masterson continued, “My priority is shortening those waiting lists. As federal changes take effect, I will protect services for the most vulnerable Kansans first, root out waste and errors, and make sure federal decisions don’t shift new costs onto Kansas taxpayers.” Let me translate that into plain English: Ty Masterson opposes expanding Medicaid in Kansas. Masterson supports tax cuts for the rich, and opposes expanding Medicaid, which would help the poor. That's exactly what you would expect from a Kansas Republican politician. Masterson’s Priorities In 2021, Ty Masterson (R) voted for a state constitutional amendment that would give the Kansas Legislature the legal authority to ban abortion in the state. Cindy Holscher (D) voted against the anti-abortion amendment. In August 2022, Kansas voters rejected the proposed anti-abortion amendment by 18%. On his campaign website, Ty Masterson (R) highlights an endorsement from Kansans for Life, an organization that opposes Abortion Rights. Masterson also highlights an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Currently, Abortion Rights in Kansas are protected by a Kansas Supreme Court decision. If Masterson is elected governor, he will make appointments to the Kansas Supreme Court to fill vacancies that arise, from a shortlist of three candidates chosen by the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission. After 4 to 8 years as governor, it’s possible Masterson might be able to appoint enough justices to overturn the state-level equivalent of Roe v. Wade. Last year, Republicans in the Kansas Legislature voted to advance a proposed constitutional amendment that would replace the current merit-based process for selecting members of the Kansas Supreme Court, with direct elections. Masterson supported the proposed amendment, because he hoped that if it was approved, the Kansas Supreme Court would stop requiring the Legislature to spend more on K-12 education. Masterson also hoped electing state supreme court justices would lead to the overturning of Abortion Rights in Kansas. Ty Masterson (R) voted for the constitutional amendment to elect state supreme court justices. Cindy Holscher (D) voted against the amendment. I wrote an editorial opposing the proposed amendment earlier this year. In August, Kansas voters rejected the proposed constitutional amendment by 23%. In 2023, Ty Masterson (R) voted for a Transgender Sports Ban. Cindy Holscher (D) voted against the Transgender Sports Ban. I wrote an article about the Trans Sports Ban in Kansas. Transgender Bathroom Ban This year, the Kansas Legislature approved a law that prevents transgender people from obtaining identity documents that reflect their gender identity, and makes it illegal for them to use certain restrooms and locker rooms. Gov. Laura Kelly (D) vetoed the bill, but Republicans in the Legislature overrode Kelly’s veto, passing the bill into law. Ty Masterson (R) voted for the draconian anti-trans law. Cindy Holscher (D) voted against the anti-trans law. NBC News interviewed Kansas Transgender Men who protest the Bathroom Ban, by following it. Many people don’t like when Trans Men, who look like Men, use a Women’s Restroom, as the law requires. NBC News identified Ty Masterson (R) as the author of the Transgender Restroom Ban in Kansas. I discussed the provisions of the anti-trans law in an article I wrote earlier this year. Kansas Republicans have been single-mindedly focused in recent years on passing anti-trans legislation into law. To block future anti-trans laws, Democrats need to win the Governor’s Race, and break the Republican Supermajority in the Kansas Legislature. If Republicans win the Governor’s Race, only a simple majority would be needed to pass anti-trans legislation through the Kansas Legislature, which Republicans will easily be able to do. Cindy Holscher Cindy Holscher (D) is a great candidate, with a lot of good ideas. Holscher wants to increase the state minimum wage to $16 an hour, fully fund special education, and provide free school lunches for all students. She wants to legalize marijuana for both recreational and medical purposes. Holscher wants to eliminate taxes on diapers and feminine hygiene products. She also wants to create an independent panel to oversee redistricting, and prohibit mid-decade redistricting. I wrote about Cindy Holscher in an article I wrote about the Democratic Primary for Kansas Governor. In September, Holscher gave a speech at the Rally for Democracy in Manhattan, Kansas. Conclusion By and large, Kansas voters pay exceedingly little attention to state politics. They only pay attention to state politics when things get really bad, as they did under the Brownback Tax Cuts, or when the stakes are really high, such as when Republicans try to amend the State Constitution to overturn abortion rights. Voters pay virtually no attention to the state legislature, and almost certainly wouldn’t be able to name the Republican Senate President or Republican Speaker of the House. Even I wouldn’t be able to name them, off the top of my head, before researching this article. Both Ty Masterson, who is running for Governor, and Daniel Hawkins, who is running for Insurance Commissioner, have abysmal records in political leadership in the Kansas Legislature. But Kansas voters appear likely to elevate both to statewide elected office. I strongly and enthusiastically endorse Cindy Holscher (D) for Kansas Governor. Ty Masterson (R) has already been a disaster for the state. Don’t give him more power, by electing him governor.

Incumbent John Ford (R) is running for reelection to the Riley County Commission, in Kansas, against Rob Voelker (D). The election is the only race this year for a seat on the three-member Riley County Commission. The election is being held in District 1. Here is a map of the districts for the Riley County Commission. Both John Ford and Rob Voelker support hiring a County Administrator to take over many of the responsibilities of longtime County Clerk Rich Vargo, ahead of Vargo’s upcoming retirement. Vargo has been Riley County Clerk for almost 30 years. If Voelker wins, Democrats would hold 2 of the 3 seats on the County Commission, giving them the majority. If Ford wins, Republicans would retain their majority, keeping 2 of the 3 seats on the County Commission, as they currently have. The issues decided by the commission don’t really fall along party or ideological lines. Both Ford and Voelker are good, reasonable, and competent candidates. There are no meaningful differences between them on the issues. Voelker is part of a social network of local liberal activists that I am part of. I plan to vote for Voelker (D), but I believe either candidate would do a good job in the position. John Ford was first elected to the Riley County Commission in 2018, and he was reelected in 2022. I didn’t live in Riley County when John Ford was first elected in 2018. I voted for John Ford (R), four years ago, in 2022, when he ran unopposed for reelection. Voelker (D) previously served as sports director for News Radio KMAN. He is currently a public address announcer for K-State sports. He has been attending County Commission meetings for months to prepare for the election, and for the job of County Commissioner, should he win the election. Here is the article the Manhattan Mercury wrote about Rob Voelker. Here is the article the Manhattan Mercury wrote about John Ford. In August, Ford won a contested Republican Primary. The Mercury asked the candidates about key issues facing the Riley County Commission. Here is Rob Voelker’s campaign website. A short biography about John Ford can be found on the website for Riley County, Kansas. Here is Voelker’s speech at the Rally for Democracy, which was held last month. I endorse Rob Voelker (D), although I believe either candidate would do a good job as Riley County Commissioner.

State Treasurer Steven Johnson (R) is running for reelection against Businessman Juan Luengo (D). Steven Johnson was first elected to the Kansas House, the lower chamber of the State Legislature, in 2010. He served in the Kansas House from 2011 to 2022. Johnson was elected State Treasurer in 2022. Juan Luengo is the CEO of Engage Insurance Group. I covered Steven Johnson in 2018 and 2019, when I worked as a reporter for the Salina Journal, when Johnson was a member of the Kansas Legislature. At the time, I found Johnson to be an intelligent and professional moderate Republican. I still believe Johnson is intelligent, professional, and polite. But his moderate Republican credentials took a hit in the years after my time working for the Salina Journal. In 2021, Steven Johnson voted for a state constitutional amendment that would provide the Kansas Legislature with the legal authority to approve an abortion ban. In 2022, Steven Johnson voted for a transgender sports ban. Misleading Attack Ads In 2022, Steven Johnson ran for State Treasurer. That year, Johnson ran against Caryn Tyson in the Republican Primary for the position. During the Republican primary, Johnson aired attack ads against Caryn Tyson that criticized her for helping write two Kansas laws that increased taxes. Johnson voted for both laws. One of those laws, a 2017 law that repealed much of the Brownback income tax cuts, was critically important to restoring fiscal responsibility to the state budget. It was one of the most important votes in recent Kansas political history. When it mattered most, Johnson voted in favor of repealing the Brownback income tax cuts, restoring sanity to the state budget. But during his campaign for State Treasurer in 2022, Johnson attacked a Republican primary opponent for helping write the law, when doing so was politically expedient. Steven Johnson won the Republican Primary for State Treasurer. In 2022, Johnson won the General Election for State Treasurer against Lynn Rogers (D). Neither Lynn Rogers nor Juan Luengo have any idea how to effectively campaign against Steven Johnson for State Treasurer. Johnson voted for two bills that he attacked his Republican primary opponent for helping write. One of those bills was critical to restoring sanity and stability to the state budget. Johnson voted to repeal the Brownback Tax Cuts, but was unwilling to stand by that decision. The Brownback tax cuts were a disaster for the state of Kansas. We should have a State Treasurer who is willing to argue for policies that promote stability for the state budget, which Johnson wasn’t willing to do. But that’s not an argument either Rogers or Luengo were politically adept enough to make. Learn more about the candidates Here is Steven Johnson’s campaign website. Here is Juan Luengo’s campaign website. KCUR, a public radio station, wrote about the candidates running for State Treasurer in Kansas. Conclusion Both Steven Johnson and Juan Luengo are qualified for the job of State Treasurer. Despite my criticisms of Johnson’s political career, I believe they would both do a good job as State Treasurer. I endorse Juan Luengo (D) for State Treasurer. Although, I believe either Johnson or Luengo would perform well in the position. Steven Johnson (R) is highly likely to win the State Treasurer Race in Kansas. The Republican candidate has won each of the last five State Treasurer elections in Kansas by more than 10%. I discussed the competitiveness of statewide elections in Kansas earlier this year.

State Representative Pat Proctor (R) is running against former State Representative Jennifer Day (D) for Kansas Secretary of State. The election is for an open position, because incumbent Secretary of State Scott Schwab (R) ran for Kansas Governor this year, and he was among the losing candidates in the Republican Primary. The Kansas Secretary of State runs an office that administers elections in Kansas, collects business records, registers lobbyists, and produces official publications for the state of Kansas. Pat Proctor represents Dist. 41, located in Leavenworth County, in the Kansas House. Proctor is a retired US Army Colonel. Jennifer Day represented Dist. 48, located in Johnson County, in the Kansas House, from June 2020 to June 2021. Day worked as an election worker for seven years, and she volunteered with the League of Women Voters. Day also built a small real estate investment firm and founded an interior design company. I discussed Jennifer Day in an article I wrote about the Democratic Primary for Kansas Secretary of State. Conspiracy Theorist Pat Proctor (R) would make a terrible Secretary of State. Proctor and his wife owned a restaurant that was fined $93,000 for failing to comply with federal wage and overtime laws. The Kansas Reflector, one of the best news organizations covering Kansas Politics, described how Proctor uses dishonest rhetoric to spread unfounded fears about voter fraud. "As Kansas Rep. Pat Proctor launched his campaign to oversee state elections, he honed in on a signature phrase that would serve his interest of dismissing critics — and reporting by Kansas Reflector — while appealing to far-right voters,” the Reflector wrote. "His ambiguous 'axis of ballot harvesting' serves as a catchall for anyone who challenges his false claims about the hazards of early voting, and signals a vast make-believe conspiracy by foreign nationals to undermine elections," the Reflector continued. "Proctor frequently repeats the phrase on the campaign trail, and used it in a fundraising message where he suggested a new law could be used to bring criminal or civil charges against Kansas Reflector.” Legislative Record Pat Proctor has voted against Transgender Rights and Abortion Rights in the Kansas Legislature. Proctor voted for a Transgender Sports Ban. I discussed the Trans Sports Ban in Kansas on my blog. Proctor also voted for a law that prevents transgender Kansans from obtaining identity documents that reflect their gender identity, and makes it illegal for them to use certain restrooms and locker rooms. I discussed the draconian anti-trans law on my blog. Pat Proctor (R) voted for a state constitutional amendment that would give the Kansas Legislature the legal authority to ban abortion in the state. Jennifer Day (D) voted against the amendment. In August 2022, Kansas voters decisively rejected the proposed amendment, 59% to 41%. Stealing an election by voting In 2024, Pat Proctor spoke at a forum where he discussed his visits to polling places prior to the Aug. 2022 election. “There’s all these women, 20- to 30-year-old women who, you know, that you never saw at the polls before, and it’s like a long line, got a long line, and they’re all there to vote, and it’s just the – it’s they’re stealing it, fair and square.” Voting in large numbers is how you win elections legitimately, not how elections are stolen. Kansas deserves a Secretary of State who can tell the difference. Conclusion I strongly endorse Jennifer Day (D) for Kansas Secretary of State. Let’s vote in large numbers to stop a conspiracy theorist from being elected to oversee Kansas elections. Nevertheless, Pat Proctor will likely win the election. The Republican candidate has won each of the five most recent Kansas Secretary of State Elections, by an average of 20%. Earlier this year, I discussed the competitiveness of statewide elections in Kansas.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach (R) is running for reelection against Chris Mann (D). The election is a rematch between the two candidates who ran against each other four years ago, when Kobach was first elected Attorney General by only 1.6%. Chris Mann (D) is a former police officer and former prosecutor. Kris Kobach is a far-right Republican with a long history in Kansas Politics. Every step of Kobach’s political career has been mired in scandal, which can easily be seen on his Wikipedia page. Kris Kobach was elected Secretary of State in 2010. He was reelected Secretary of State in 2014. Kobach ran for Governor in 2018. As the Republican nominee, he lost to Laura Kelly (D), who was elected to her first term. In 2020, Kobach ran for US Senate, but he lost the Republican Primary to Roger Marshall. Marshall went on to win the general election against Barbara Bollier (D), and win his first term in the Senate. After two high-profile losses, Kobach ran for Kansas Attorney General in 2022. Kobach narrowly won the general election, against Chris Mann (D), by 1.6%. I have voted against Kris Kobach every four years, since I have been old enough to vote. I voted against Kris Kobach for Secretary of State in 2010, when I was 18 years old. I voted against Kris Kobach when he ran for reelection for Secretary of State in 2014. I voted against Kris Kobach when he ran for Governor in 2018. I voted against Kris Kobach for Attorney General in 2022. And I voted against Kris Kobach when he ran for reelection for Attorney General this year, in 2026. I have voted against Kris Kobach 5 times over the past 16 years. Let’s take a look at some of the lowlights of Kobach’s political career. Dead Man Voting Kris Kobach ran for Secretary of State in 2010 while promoting unfounded fears of widespread voter fraud. In October 2010, Kobach held a press conference where he said 1,966 dead people were registered to vote in Kansas. “Every one of those 1,966 identities is an opportunity for voter fraud waiting to happen,” Kobach said. Kobach cited one person, Alfred Brewer, who died in 1996, according to Social Security records, who had voted in the August 2010 primary election. "Is it the same one?” Kobach asked. “We are still trying to achieve confirmation of this, but it certainly seems like a very real possibility." A reporter for the Wichita Eagle found Alfred Brewer outside his home, raking leaves. The Alfred Brewer who had died was his father. “I don’t think this is heaven, not when I’m raking leaves,” Brewer said. Remedial Legal Classes In 2011, Kansas approved a law that required people to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote. Kobach advocated for the law, which was passed by the Kansas Legislature and signed by Gov. Sam Brownback (R), to address voter fraud. A federal judge struck down that provision of the law in 2018. Judge Julie Robinson said the law, “disproportionately impacts duly qualified registration applicants, while only nominally preventing noncitizen voter registration.” Judge Robinson criticized Kobach for violating the court's procedures meant to ensure a fair trial. “The disclosure violations set forth above document a pattern and practice by Defendant of flaunting disclosure and discovery rules that are designed to prevent prejudice and surprise at trial," the Judge wrote. Judge Robinson ordered Kobach to take continuing legal education due to his failure to abide by his legal obligations. “It is not clear to the Court whether Defendant repeatedly failed to meet his disclosure obligations intentionally or due to his unfamiliarity with the federal rules,” Judge Robinson wrote. “Therefore, the Court finds that an additional sanction is appropriate in the form of Continuing Legal Education.” In 2020, a federal appeals court upheld Judge Robinson’s ruling against the provision of the Kansas law that requires proof of citizenship to register to vote. Lying for Trump In 2016, Kobach said he agreed with Donald Trump that the number of illegal votes cast in the 2016 presidential election exceeded Hillary Clinton’s margin of victory in the popular vote. Kobach took Trump's transparent lie and attempted to give it the appearance of legitimacy. Kobach said as many as 3.2 million votes may have been cast illegally by non-citizens. Kobach said his estimate was based on a study, which the Lawrence Journal World said was “roundly criticized in academic circles.” The newspaper also said Kobach overstated the study’s findings. Defending Lead Pipes In 2024, Kobach led a coalition of 15 Republican State Attorneys General to oppose an EPA regulation to replace lead pipes to reduce lead contamination in drinking water. According to the Kansas Reflector, the coalition was unsuccessful. "The EPA under the Biden administration required replacement of lead pipes within 10 years and announced $27.7 million in funding for Kansas to do so in October 2024," the Reflector reported. "The EPA made another announcement for $53 million in May." During his State of the Union in 2024, President Joe Biden cited as one of his accomplishments, “removing poisonous lead pipes, so every child can drink clean water without risk of getting brain damage.” Kobach responded on Twitter. “Biden wants to replace lead pipes. He failed to mention that the unfunded mandate sets an almost impossible timeline, will cost billions, infringe on the rights of the States and their residents – all for benefits that may be entirely speculative,” Kobach wrote. Abortion Rights Kris Kobach supported a proposed constitutional amendment to elect state Supreme Court Justices. In 2022, Kobach told a group of Republicans the change would “slowly and quietly” place anti-abortion judges on the Kansas Supreme Court, with the goal of overturning of a decision that protects abortion rights in the state. Voters rejected the constitutional amendment in August 2026 by 23%. Trans IDs In 2023, The Kansas Legislature approved a broad and vaguely-worded law to limit transgender rights. While the law didn’t mention identity documents specifically, Kris Kobach issued a legal interpretation of the law that said the law’s provisions require driver's licenses and birth certificates to describe transgender people based on their sex assigned at birth. Kobach sued the Kansas Department of Revenue for continuing to allow transgender Kansans to obtain driver's licenses that identify them based on their gender identity, rather than their sex assigned at birth. A State District Court Judge sided with Kobach, and issued a preliminary injunction preventing transgender Kansans from updating their driver's licenses. The Kansas Appeals Court overturned the injunction, allowing those gender marker changes to resume. Last year, the Kansas Supreme Court declined to hear the case, leaving the Appeals Court decision in place. This year, Republicans in the Kansas Legislature approved a law that explicitly prevents transgender people from updating their gender on their identity documents, and invalidates existing documents that don't identify them based on their sex assigned at birth. Long story short, Kris Kobach used his position as Attorney General to make life harder for transgender Kansans, for no good reason. Conclusion Kris Kobach (R) is an extremist, a charlatan, and an embarrassment to the State of Kansas. He should be voted out of office, and he should never hold any position in government, elected or appointed, ever again. He should resign in disgrace and retire from political life. I strongly endorse Chris Mann (D) for Kansas Attorney General. I hope this election ends Kris Kobach’s political career. But it won't, and I'll continue to vote against Kobach, over and over, for the foreseeable future.

Senator Roger Marshall (R) is running for reelection against Methodist Pastor Adam Hamilton (D) in the Kansas Senate Race. Despite all odds, Kansas has a competitive Senate Race this year. Kansas last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 1932, which was 94 years ago. The Republican candidate has won each of the 7 most recent Senate elections in Kansas by more than 10%. Nonetheless, Democrat Adam Hamilton (D) leads the Meticulous Musings polling average by 1.5%. Adam Hamilton (D) has a strong platform. He supports expanding Medicare drug price negotiation, reversing cuts to Medicaid, restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies, and protecting rural hospitals. He opposes tariffs, wants to ban Wall Street investors from buying single-family homes, expand Medicare to cover vision and dental, and require data centers to pay their fair share of electricity costs. Roger Marshall is a scandal-plagued Conservative Republican, who is an embarrassment to the State of Kansas. Marshall was first elected to the US House in 2016 in the Kansas First Congressional District. He was reelected in 2018. Roger Marshall (R) was first elected to the US Senate in 2020, when he ran against Barbara Bollier (D). Marshall won by 11.4%. Marshall is running for reelection to the Senate this year. I have voted against Roger Marshall every time he's been on my ballot. I lived and voted in Missouri in 2016. I voted against Roger Marshall in 2018, when he ran for reelection to the US House. I voted against Roger Marshall in 2020, when he was first elected to the US Senate. I voted against Roger Marshall this year, when he ran for reelection to the US Senate. I covered Roger Marshall during his time in the US House, when I was a reporter for the Salina Journal in 2018 and 2019. At the time, I was an objective reporter, and I did my best to cover Marshall fairly. Marshall always treated me with respect, as a member of the local news media. But even back then, I strongly disagreed with Marshall’s politics. I recorded videos of Roger Marshall when I was a reporter at the Salina Journal. A playlist of those videos are available on my YouTube channel. Defending Trump in Congress In October 2019, Roger Marshall was among a group of House Republicans who stormed and disrupted a closed-door hearing that was part of the investigation that led to President Trump’s first impeachment. “This whole thing is a sham,” Marshall said. “The people of Kansas are sick and tired of these impeachment hearings. We have impeachment fatigue.” President Trump’s first impeachment was for withholding military aid to Ukraine to pressure the country to investigate Joe and Hunter Biden, which would benefit Trump in the 2020 presidential campaign. In December 2019, Roger Marshall voted against impeaching Trump for both Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress, during Trump’s first impeachment. As a Senator, Marshall supported Trump’s effort to steal the 2020 Presidential election, and he voted against certifying the electoral college results from Arizona and Pennsylvania. In February 2021, Marshall voted to acquit President Trump during his Senate Impeachment Trial, during Trump’s second impeachment, for inciting an insurrection against Congress on Jan. 6, 2021. Economic Policy During the Biden Administration, Roger Marshall voted against the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act. In March 2021, Roger Marshall (R) voted against the American Rescue Plan, which extended unemployment benefits, provided emergency rental assistance, expanded food stamp benefits, expanded the child tax credit, and provided funding to cities and states to replace tax revenue lost due to the pandemic. In August 2021, Roger Marshall (R) voted against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provided funding for roads, bridges, public transit, broadband internet, and infrastructure projects. In August 2022, Marshall voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which allowed Medicare to negotiate prices for some drugs, and authorized tax credits for renewable energy. Reproductive Rights In May 2022, Marshall voted against the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have overturned state abortion bans by establishing a right to abortion under federal law. In September 2024, Marshall voted against the Right to IVF Act, which would have created a federal right to access fertility treatments and overturned state laws that interfere with the provision of fertility treatments. LGBT Rights Congress passed, and President Biden signed, the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022. Currently, the right to same sex marriage is protected nationwide under the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. Liberals feared the US Supreme Court might overturn its decisions protecting gay marriage, after the court overturned Roe v. Wade. The Respect for Marriage Act was passed due to these concerns. The Respect for Marriage Act requires states to recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other states, and requires the federal government to recognize the legitimacy of same-sex marriages conducted by states that allow them. Roger Marshall voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, which shows that as late as November 2022, Roger Marshall still opposed the right of same-sex couples to marry. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, because Roger Marshall is bigoted against LGBT people. In June 2023, President Joe Biden displayed a progress pride flag at the White House. Senator Roger Marshall responded on twitter. “This is a disgrace,” Marshall wrote. “Not only is it in breach of US Flag Code, but it’s a glaring example of this White Houses’ incompetence and insistence on putting their social agenda ahead of patriotism.” It is bigoted to react to a display of an LGBT pride flag by calling it a disgrace. There are LGBT Kansans, and I am one of them. LGBT Kansans deserve better than to be represented in the US Senate by a bigot like Roger Marshall. Politifact determined Roger Marshall’s claim that the flag display violated the US Flag Code was false. Marshall subsequently filed legislation to prohibit LGBT Pride Flags from being displayed at federal buildings. Trump's Second Term Roger Marshall authorized some of the worst aspects of the Trump Administration, during Trump's second term. In January 2025, Roger Marshall voted to confirm Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, who was and remains wholly unqualified and unfit for the role. In February 2025, Roger Marshall voted to confirm Vaccine Conspiracy Theorist RFK Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. In July 2025, Marshall voted for the Big Ugly Bill, which cut taxes for the rich, cut Medicaid funding for the poor, and increased funding for ICE, the federal law enforcement agency that attacks immigrants. In March 2026, Marshall voted against a War Powers Resolution that attempted to end the Iran War. Roger Marshall voted the wrong way on all 15 key votes in the Senate and the House, that were discussed in this article. Scandals Politically speaking, September was a tough month for Roger Marshall. Marshall worked as a doctor prior to his political career. On Sept. 8, the New York Times reported Marshall filed lawsuits against more than 700 patients with outstanding bills. On Sept. 12, during a debate at the Kansas State Fair, hecklers responded to Marshall by chanting, “You Don’t Live Here.” That’s a pretty devastating thing to say about your own Senator. On Sept. 25, the Kansas City Star reported that while Roger Marshall claims to live in a modest cabin in Kansas, he owns a much larger and more expensive home in Florida. Supporting Trump until the Bitter End Roger Marshall has always been a stalwart supporter of President Trump. During my time at the Salina Journal in 2018 and 2019, Marshall displayed a portrait of President Trump in Marshall’s Salina office. Recently, an interviewer on Bloomberg TV asked Roger Marshall if anyone was advising President Trump to move towards free trade and away from tariffs. Marshall replied that Kansans will stick with Trump until the bitter end. “I don’t hear that voice right now. I hear the president actually doubling down on where he’s at, and the interesting thing is my farmers are still supporting. “It’s dire times back home, bankruptcies are up, suicides are up, but nevertheless, we have hope in this president that he can take us to victory here.” Conclusion I strongly and enthusiastically endorse Adam Hamilton (D) for US Senate in Kansas. Roger Marshall is an embarrassment to the State of Kansas. Roger Marshall should be voted out of office, and he should never hold a position in government, elected or appointed, ever again. Marshall should resign and retire from public political life. But Kansas will likely be stuck with him as their Senator for the foreseeable future. VoteHub has created a model that predicts the outcome of every Senate, House, and Governor election in 2026. VoteHub predicts Roger Marshall will win the Kansas Senate Race by 1.2%.

State Judges are running to retain their positions in Kansas this year. State Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeals Judges, and District Court Judges will all be on the ballot. Here are my endorsements for those races. Kansas Supreme Court Two Kansas Supreme Court Justices are running in retention elections this year. Both Eric Rosen and Larkin Walsh were appointed by Democratic Governors. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) appointed Eric Rosen to the Kansas Supreme Court in 2005. Here is more information about Kansas Chief Justice Eric Rosen. Gov. Laura Kelly (D) appointed Larkin Walsh to the Kansas Supreme Court in 2025. Here is more information about Kansas Supreme Court Justice Larkin Walsh. I voted to retain both Eric Rosen and Larkin Walsh on the Kansas Supreme Court, and I recommend that others do as well. You can click the tables in this article to view larger versions of them. Kansas Court of Appeals Five Judges on the Kansas Court of Appeals are running in retention elections this year. Four Judges were appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly (D). One Judge was appointed by Gov. Sam Brownback (R). Lori Ann Bolton Fleming was appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly (D) to the Kansas Court of Appeals in 2025. Lesley Ann Isherwood was appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly (D) to the Kansas Court of Appeals in 2021. Amy Fellows Cline was appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly (D) to the Kansas Court of Appeals. Cline began serving in 2021. Jacy Hurst was appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly (D) to the Kansas Court of Appeals in 2021. Kim Schroeder was appointed by Gov. Sam Brownback (R) to the Kansas Court of Appeals in 2013. In 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled the Kansas Constitution implicitly protects abortion rights. The decision is the state level equivalent to Roe v. Wade. The state case is known as Hodes & Nauser v. Schmidt. In June 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the federal right to abortion. The State Supreme Court decision in Hodes & Nauser v. Schmidt became the only remaining barrier between Kansas Republican politicians and their goal of overturning abortion rights in the state. Republican politicians in Kansas have been dedicated to overturning the decision, including through two failed attempts to amend the Kansas Constitution, itself. Before the Kansas Supreme Court considered Hodes & Nauser v. Schmidt, the case made its way through lower state courts. A District Court ruled the Kansas Constitution protects abortion rights. The Kansas Court of Appeals was evenly divided. Seven judges ruled the Kansas Constitution protects abortion rights. Seven judges ruled the Kansas Constitution doesn’t protect abortion rights. The even split meant that the District Court decision remained in effect. The Kansas Supreme Court ultimately found abortion rights were protected by the Kansas Constitution. Kim Schroeder was one of the Kansas Court of Appeals Judges who ruled the Kansas Constitution doesn’t protect abortion rights. Kansas Republican politicians remain as dedicated as ever to ending abortion rights in the state. If Kansas voters have the opportunity to protect abortion rights on their ballot, I believe they should do so. I support abortion rights, and therefore, I oppose retaining Kim Schroeder on the Kansas Court of Appeals. I support retaining all of the other Kansas Court of Appeals Judges who are running for retention this year. District Court Judges Two District Court Judges from the 21st Judicial District, which covers Riley and Clay counties, are running to retain their positions. Both Judges are from Manhattan, Kansas. Grant Bannister was appointed by Gov. Sam Brownback (R) in 2016. I reviewed articles from the Manhattan Mercury that mention Bannister, and I didn’t find any controversies or concerns. I support retaining Judge Bannister. John Bosch was appointed by Gov. Sam Brownback (R) in 2012. A 2013 sentencing decision, made by Judge Bosch, in a drunk driving manslaughter case, was reversed by the Kansas Court of Appeals. I find the ruling by the Court of Appeals to be compelling, and I believe Judge Bosch’s initial sentence was too lenient. I voted against retaining Judge Bosch. I encourage anyone looking to learn more about the case to read the Kansas Court of Appeals ruling. I recommend retaining Grant Bannister and against retaining John Bosch.

In November, Kansas voters will decide whether to approve a proposed state constitutional amendment. According to the explanatory statement on the ballot, the amendment, "would clarify that only a person who is a citizen of the United States is eligible to vote in this state." There is no significant or widespread problem concerning non-citizens attempting to vote in US elections. Only US citizens are allowed to vote in Kansas. This fact is already clear from the text of the Kansas Constitution that the proposed amendment would modify. Republicans have long peddled false claims about widespread voter fraud, as well as false claims about illegal immigrants committing voter fraud and illegally swaying the results of elections. The proposed amendment exists as a result of this false narrative that arises from the lies propagated by the right-wing echo chamber. As a practical matter, it doesn't appear that the proposed amendment would, on its own, actually do anything that the current language in the Kansas Constitution doesn't already do. The proposed amendment is a solution in search of a problem. If the amendment passes, Republicans who wish to pass legislation to enact proof-of-citizenship requirements, which would make it harder to vote, could cite voters' approval of the amendment to argue that the public supports their efforts. Although, I'm sure that Republicans will attempt to pass these measures regardless, and the approval of the proposed amendment doesn't appear to make any legal changes that would make their efforts more likely to succeed. Here is the passage in the Kansas Constitution that the proposed amendment would modify. This text shows how the passage currently reads. It is how the text will continue to read, if voters reject the proposed amendment. This document shows the changes that the proposed amendment would make to the Kansas Constitution. This information can also be seen on sample ballots available to Kansas voters. KU Professor Amii Castle wrote an editorial for the Kansas Reflector opposing the proposed amendment. The proposed amendment is redundant and unnecessary. While it doesn't appear to make any meaningful legal changes on its own, it could be used rhetorically to support future legislation that would make it harder for US citizens to vote. I voted against the proposed state constitutional amendment, and I encourage other Kansas voters to do the same. I support the city sales tax for road work and oppose the redundant state constitutional amendment.

In November, voters will decide whether to approve a city-wide sales tax to fund road work in Manhattan, Kansas. The 0.5% sales tax would take affect in April 2027, and would last for 10 years. The proposed 0.5% sales tax would replace a 0.2% sales tax, which is about to expire. If approved, the new tax would increase the overall sales tax from 9.15% to 9.45%, for Manhattan transactions conducted in Riley County. The new tax would increase the overall sales tax from 9.45% to 9.75% for Manhattan transactions conducted in Pottawatomie County. City officials say the proposed tax would allow the city to improve the quality of Manhattan's streets. The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce supports the sales tax measure. Yard signs supporting the proposal can be seen around town. You can view the ballot language, along with additional information about the proposal, on the City Government website for Manhattan, Kansas. I haven't seen or heard arguments from anyone opposing the road maintenance sales tax proposal. The cost of living crisis is particularly acute for many people right now, and voters might not want to approve a new tax when so many essentials of life are so expensive. Nevertheless, a 0.3% increase in the sales tax is a modest one, and the money would go to good use. Neither approving nor rejecting the proposed sales tax would have any impact on the speed of road work in Manhattan, which is an issue that desperately needs to be addressed. Construction crews regularly tear up half of a major street in Manhattan, before leaving the site dormant, without making any major progress on the project, for months at a time. Contracts for Road Work should contain project deadlines, with rewards for finishing early, and penalties for finishing late. We need a city commission that actually focuses on ensuring road maintenance projects don't drag on forever. We need major roads that aren't operating at half capacity for months at a time. I plan to vote in favor of the modest sales tax increase to fund road work in the city. But I will continue to be frustrated by the glacial pace of road work, which is a problem that we really need to fix. I support the city sales tax for road work and oppose the redundant state constitutional amendment, which I will discuss in a future editorial.

Republican Senator Roger Marshall was heckled by dozens of Kansas State Fair attendees, who accused him of not living in the state, during a debate with Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton on Saturday,...

The Kansas Republican senator’s bill comes amid a larger movement by conservatives to impose restrictions on transgender individuals.

Displaying the progress pride flag between two American flags during a White House pride event was “in breach of US Flag Code.”

I realize that everyone who might be interested in my endorsements has already voted early in the 2026 General Election. I voted early in person on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Here are my endorsements for partisan elections. You can click on the tables in this article to view larger versions of them. I endorsed candidates in two districts for the Kansas House, the lower chamber of the Kansas Legislature. I endorse Sydney Carlin in Dist. 66, and Brenda Bandy in Dist. 67. I live in Dist 67, so I voted for Brenda Bandy. I voted for all of my endorsements listed in this article, except for Sydney Carlin, because I don’t live in her district. Several Judges are running to retain their positions this year. Here are my endorsements for Kansas Supreme Court Justices. Here are my endorsements for Kansas Court of Appeals Judges. Here are my endorsements for District Court Judges. Finally, here are my endorsements on the ballot questions. I have written extensively about each of these elections, except for Sydney Carlin’s race, on social media. I am going to try to turn each of those threads into articles for Meticulous Musings before election day. We’ll see how many I can publish before then. Wish me luck.