Kansas Primary Election Sets the Stage for November General Election
Kansas voters went to the polls on August 4 to select party nominees for statewide offices, congressional races, and legislative seats, while also deciding a statewide constitutional amendment. Unofficial results have been released by the Kansas Secretary of State, with county canvassing and state certification to follow in the coming weeks.
At the top of the ticket, Senate President Ty Masterson secured the Republican nomination for governor, while State Senator Cindy Holscher won the Democratic nomination. The two will face each other in the November 3 General Election to succeed Governor Laura Kelly, who is term limited.
In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Senator Roger Marshall advanced as the Republican nominee and will face Democratic nominee Rev. Adam Hamilton in November.
Voters also weighed in on a proposed constitutional amendment that would have changed the process for selecting Kansas Supreme Court justices. With a majority voting “No”, the amendment did not pass, meaning the state’s current judicial nomination process will remain in place.
Several incumbent state legislators were also defeated in their party primaries, signaling changes in the composition of the Kansas Legislature next session. Among those defeated were Rep. Ken Collins (R), Rep. Henry Helgerson (D), and Rep. Ford Carr (D).
Across the state, voters selected nominees for the remaining statewide constitutional offices, congressional seats, and Kansas House and Senate races. In many districts, the primary determined each party’s nominee for November, while some legislative races were effectively decided because no candidate from another party filed for the General Election.
With the primary complete, candidates will now shift their focus to the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Kansans will elect the state’s next governor, other statewide constitutional officers, members of Congress, and state legislators, with the outcomes shaping state and federal policy for the years ahead.
Rural Nursing Facilities Pilot for Dementia-Related Behavior Supports
The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), Aging Services Commission, announces the release of a Request for Applications (RFA) for six (6) Medicaid-certified nursing facilities to participate in a Rural Nursing Facilities Pilot for Dementia-Related Behavior Supports to provide specialized staff training, consultation and enhanced care services for Medicaid recipient nursing facility residents 60 years and older with complex behaviors related to their diagnosis of dementia.
Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. August 21, 2026, submitted to KDADS.AgingCommission@ks.gov.
FY27 RFA RHTP Dementia-Related Behavior Supports NF Pilot
Kansas Office of Rural Opportunity Seed Grants Opening Soon
The next round of Seed Grants available for communities with 5,000 or less in population will be opening soon. The purpose of these grants is to help with economic revitalization through one of the quality-of-life categories:
- Childcare and senior programming
- Community vibrancy
- Food retail
- Libraries
Learn more about the grants ahead of the next round opening to start preparing your application.
Kansas Health Foundation Mini Grants Available
Independent 501(c)(3) organizations interested in funding a new project that would improve overall health of Kansans or make it possible for more to have the opportunity to live a healthy life are invited to apply. Submissions will be evaluated on how closely they match the KHF strategic framework. Learn more about the opportunity and how to apply on their Kansas Innovation Fund website.
