Sen. Cindy Holscher announces candidacy for Kansas governor

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (KCTV) - Sen. Cindy Holscher officially announced her candidacy for Governor of Kansas on June 12.

She is the first major Kansas Democrat to declare for the 2026 governor race, which has a filing deadline of June 2026.

Holscher served in the Kansas House of Representatives for two in the 16th district, Overland Park and Lenexa, from 2017 to 2020 before being elected to the state senate, where she represented the 8th district, central Overland Park, starting in 2021.

Holscher touts her advocacy for working families, seniors, veterans, and Kansas farmers.

“I came into politics to fight for our kids and schools. In the legislature, I’ve worked to make life more affordable for families. Billionaires and special interests have too many politicians in their pockets, but I’ll never stop fighting for hardworking people, and I’ll never give up on Kansans,” said Sen. Holscher.

Holscher’s campaign prioritizes social security, Medicare, and Medicaid, lowering the cost of healthcare, housing, and childcare, public education, and tax relief for the middle class.

Holscher is a first-generation college grad who has lived in Kansas for 25+ years with her husband and three children.

The current governor of Kansas, (D) Laura Kelly, was elected in 2018 and again in 2022.

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