Gov. Laura Kelly and her supporters secured a significant win during Tuesday’s primary in Kansas. In a surprising turn of events, Democratic State Rep. Marvin Robinson from Kansas City and Republican State Sen. Dennis Pyle from Hiawatha were defeated by their respective party challengers. Robinson’s loss is seen as a potential benefit for Democrats in breaking the Republicans’ supermajorities.
Robinson’s voting record against Kelly and Democratic legislators played a crucial role in the failure of various bills related to abortion restrictions and LGBTQ+ rights. The support Robinson garnered from Republicans and GOP-aligned groups could not secure his re-election, with Democrat Wanda Brownlee Paige emerging as the clear winner in the primary.
On the Democratic front, gubernatorial PAC endorsed candidates like veteran state Sens. Marci Francisco and David Haley successfully won their primaries. Additionally, Patrick Schmidt, a former Navy intelligence officer, secured victory in his race for an open Senate seat in Topeka.
A significant upset occurred in the Republican primary as State Sen. Dennis Pyle, who had previously clashed with GOP leaders, was defeated by Craig Bowser. Pyle’s unsuccessful bid for governor as an independent in 2022 had estranged him from the party. Bowser’s win leaves no Democratic candidate in the running for the seat.
In the 2nd Congressional District, former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda won the Democratic nomination after a close race. Boyda emphasized the importance of being an independent and moderate candidate in securing victory against her Republican opponent, former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.
Boyda expressed appreciation for her primary opponent, Matt Kleinmann, whose challenge enabled meaningful discussions and candidate forums. Kleinmann pledged his support for Boyda’s campaign, emphasizing the need to continue advocating for affordable housing, improved healthcare, and a fair economy.
Overall, the Kansas primary elections witnessed various shifts and upsets, setting the stage for a new political landscape in the state. Gov. Laura Kelly also assumed the role of the Democratic Governors Association chair, marking a significant milestone in her political career.
