Becca Peck, a Johnson County Democratic Party volunteer, knocked on 4,627 doors for the party so far this election cycle. She said she found purpose in speaking directly with potential voters about the ballot issues, noting that more Kansans expressed enthusiasm for voting in 2026 compared to previous midterms. As of Friday, 154,000 Kansans had submitted advance ballots in-person or by mail, surpassing the previous two midterm elections. Registered Democrats made up 73,000 of the state’s preliminary total, with 60,000 registered Republicans and 20,000 registered independents also voting early.
Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach urged Trump loyalists to get to the polls during a rally in Park City. Kobach noted that Democrats appeared more eager to vote, stating, “That means that the opponent got out of the starting blocks faster than us.” Kobach predicted Kansas races for U.S. Senate, attorney general, and governor would be “extremely close.” Democratic nominee Chris Mann said he was confident his rematch with Kobach would have a different outcome than in 2022, stating, “It is time to take this office away from one man’s political agenda and bring it back to the people of Kansas.”
GOP gubernatorial candidate Ty Masterson, who won the GOP primary in August with Trump’s endorsement, emphasized the importance of strong Republican turnout against Democratic nominee Cindy Holscher. Masterson said, “This is all for nothing if you don’t get out and vote.” Holscher, speaking to more than 150 Democrats in Shawnee, said the 2026 election demonstrated how challenging it was to campaign for statewide office.
