For voters interested in researching candidates, here are the competitive federal and state  races that will appear on Wyandotte County ballots on Nov. 8, with links to each candidate’s campaign website (if one exists) and Ballotpedia page. 

Which candidates will appear on your ballot depends on where you live. You can enter your address here to see which races will be on your ballot. Judicial and uncontested races are not listed here. Judicial races will be covered in upcoming stories. Kansans have until Oct. 18 to register to vote if they have not done so already.

Note: Incumbents in the position are marked with an asterisk (ex.: Will Smith*). Not all races have incumbents.

U.S. Senate

Each state is represented in Congress by two U.S. senators who serve six-year terms. One-third of all senators are up for reelection every two years. Senators take action on federal legislation, approve presidential nominations and ratify treaties. 

•  Jerry Moran*, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia page
•  Mark R. Holland, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia page
• David Graham, Libertarian: Campaign website, Ballotpedia page

U.S. House

Kansas is represented by four U.S. representatives who serve two-year terms. Members of the House pass laws, serve as a representative assembly and oversee the administration of public policy by holding hearings. 

District 2

• Jacob LaTurner*, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Patrick Schmidt, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Michael Soetaert, Democrat (Write-in candidate): Campaign website, Ballotpedia

District 3

• Amanda L. Adkins, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Sharice Davids*, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Steve Hohe, Libertarian: Campaign website, Ballotpedia

Governor and lieutenant governor

The governor is the chief executive of state government, responsible for carrying out state laws and administering the state budget. Governors also have the power to enact or veto bills from the Legislature. The governor and lieutenant governor run as a team, elected every four years. 

• Derek Schmidt and Katie Sawyer, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia page
• Laura Kelly* and David Toland*, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia page
• Seth Cordell and Evan Laudick-Gains, Libertarian: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Dennis Pyle and Kathleen Garrison, independent: Campaign website, Ballotpedia

Secretary of state

Elected statewide and serving a four-year term, the secretary of state oversees administration of elections within the state, maintains records relating to business and commerce, and produces the official publications of the state of Kansas. 

•  Scott J. Schwab*, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia page
•  Jeanna Repass, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia page
•  Cullene Lang, Libertarian: Campaign website, Ballotpedia page

Attorney general

Elected statewide and serving a four-year term, the attorney general is considered the state’s chief legal officer and top law enforcement official, representing and advising state agencies and boards, promoting open government, protecting consumers from fraud and defending the state in civil proceedings. 

• Kris Kobach, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia page
• Chris Mann, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia page

State treasurer

Elected statewide and serving a four-year term, the state treasurer acts as the chief financial officer, overseeing all money paid to the state treasury. This includes managaining the state budget and payroll, managing a postsecondary education savings program and maintaining a list of unclaimed property.

• Steven Johnson, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia page
• Lynn Rogers*, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Steve Roberts, Libertarian: Campaign website, Ballotpedia page

State insurance commissioner

Elected statewide and serving a four-year term, the insurance commissioner regulates all insurance sold in Kansas and oversees insurance companies and agents licensed to do business in the state. State law requires the insurance commissioner to be well-versed in the insurance business but not have any financial interests in any insurance company.

• Vicki Schmidt*, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
•  Kiel Corkran, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia

State representatives

The Kansas House of Representatives comprises 125 state lawmakers from districts of roughly equal population. Representatives are elected by voters in their own districts for two-year terms. House lawmakers create, amend or repeal state laws, appropriate money spent by the state government, review state regulations, propose amendments to the Kansas Constitution and approve or disapprove any new amendments to the U.S. Constitution. 

District 31

• Louis E. Ruiz*, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Dennis Grindel, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia

District 33

• Bill Hutton, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Mike Thompson, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Stephanie Barton, Libertarian: Ballotpedia

District 34

• Valdenia C. Winn*, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Pepe Cabrera, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia

District 35

• Marvin S. Robinson II, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Sam Stillwell, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia

District 36

• Lynn Melton, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Kevin Braun, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia

District 37

• Melissa Oropeza, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Diana Whittington, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia

State Board of Education

The Kansas State Board of Education consists of 10 elected members, each representing a district comprising four contiguous senatorial districts. Board members serve four-year terms with an overlapping schedule. The state board appoints a commissioner of education who serves as its executive director.

District 1

• Jeffrey Howards, Democrat: Campaign website, Ballotpedia
• Danny Zeck, Republican: Campaign website, Ballotpedia