Democrat Cindy Holscher wins Kansas governor race to hold office for her party

Democratic state Sen. Cindy Holscher has won the Kansas gubernatorial election, defeating Republican state Senate President Ty Masterson to keep the governor's office in Democratic hands. According to the Associated Press, the race was seen as the most likely of the 36 races across the country to flip from Democratic to Republican control.

The Campaign

Holscher, 57, ran on a populist platform and promised to fight sweetheart deals for billionaires. She tied Masterson to his work in the state Senate when it passed a tax cut under former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback that caused budget crises and later faced repeal. She opposed school vouchers, called for a moratorium on new data centers, and supported legalizing cannabis to raise state revenue. Masterson, also 57, received an endorsement from President Trump after a contentious August primary and promised to be the most pro-agriculture, pro-business, and pro-oil and gas governor in state history. He pushed for lower property taxes, backed school vouchers, and called Holscher the most radical, liberal, socialist Democrat ever on a Kansas ticket.

Financials And Wider Wins

PBS NewsHour reports that the Republican Governors Association poured $19 million into digital and television ads, and Republicans outspent Democrats more than 3-to-1 overall, though fall fundraising between the two candidates was comparable. Holscher also overcame early hesitation from outgoing Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who is term-limited after eight years and initially backed another candidate before endorsing Holscher. The broader Democratic wave in the state also led to U.S. Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton winning a Senate seat, marking the party's first Senate victory in Kansas since 1932, and Chris Mann defeating state Attorney General Kris Kobach.

Context

Kansas usually votes for Republicans in presidential elections and for other statewide offices, making Democratic holds on the governor's seat notable exceptions. Gubernatorial races in the state often see heavy spending and intense national attention due to the contrasting dynamics between executive leadership and a heavily Republican legislature.