Democratic state Sen. Cindy Holscher won the Kansas governor's race, defeating Republican Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson in the open contest to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, The Associated Press projected. The victory keeps the governor's mansion in Democratic hands and marks the third consecutive Kansas gubernatorial election won by a Democrat.

The result underscores Democrats' continued success in Kansas gubernatorial races despite Republicans' longstanding dominance in the state's presidential elections. The GOP has carried Kansas in every presidential election since 1968, while Kelly won the office in 2018 and secured a second term in 2022. Holscher has served in the Kansas Senate since 2021 after previously spending four years in the state House.S2

Holscher secured the Democratic nomination by defeating fellow state Sen. Ethan Corson, who was endorsed by Kelly and former Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, in the August primary. She faced scrutiny during the campaign over resurfaced social media posts from 2023, which came during a debate over proposed Kansas legislation restricting drag performances in front of children.S2

Masterson, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump in the crowded GOP primary, conceded the race in a post on X and said he had called Holscher to congratulate her. "It looks like we will come up just short, but the things we fought for are no less important today than they were yesterday," he wrote. He said he would return to the Senate in January to focus on property taxes, public safety, affordability and schools, and Republicans retain control of the state Legislature.S2

Holscher celebrated her victory in a post on X, thanking Kansas voters. "Thank you, Kansas! It's the honor of a lifetime to serve as your next Governor," she wrote as she prepared to take office.S2