Trump-endorsed Ty Masterson secures GOP nomination in Kansas Gubernatorial primary election

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson has prevailed in the Republican primary race to secure the GOP nomination for Governor, defeating six challengers.

He will face the winner of the Democrat primary, where Kansas Democrat State Senator Cindy Holscher is anticipated to win. 

Masterson captured approximately 42% of the vote when the AP called the race, building a non-surpassable lead over second-place candidate Philip Sarnecki (~21%) and the remaining five candidates. 

In the uncalled Democrat primary for Governor, Holscher leads with 47% of the vote in early precinct returns:

 

• Cindy Holscher: 47%

• Ethan Corson: 41%

• Curt Skoog: 12%

President Donald Trump reinforced his endorsement of Masterson by joining a statewide tele-rally to rally Kansas voters ahead of the GOP primary.

“Ty Masterson is fantastic and has my complete and total endorsement because he puts America first like we all do, and he puts Kansas first,” Trump remarked. “He’s a big lover of the state.”

“He defended election integrity like nobody other than maybe me. I fight for it all the time,” Trump said, adding that “if you don’t have integrity with elections, you don’t have a country.” 

He also credited Masterson with lowering taxes, namely the property tax in Kansas. On Monday, Trump reiterated his praise for the Republican nominee in a post on his Truth Social platform.

“Ty will run on the Republican “ticket” with my friend, the Great U.S. Senator Roger Marshall,” the president noted.

“A highly successful Small Business Owner and Entrepreneur, and Kansas’ very popular State Senate President, Ty has dedicated his life to serving his Community,” he continued. 

It is my Great Honor to endorse Ty Masterson, a fantastic Candidate running to be the next Governor of the Great State of Kansas, a place I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024! Ty will run on the Republican “ticket” with my friend, the Great U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, who,… pic.twitter.com/scZHRlNpC2

— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) August 3, 2026

Trump’s endorsement placed Masterson as the presumptive front-runner in the primary election. Masterson’s campaign platform hinges on his promise to “take back Kansas.”

“In the Legislature, I led efforts to pass a $2 billion tax cut for Kansans,” he wrote on his website. “As governor, I will keep cutting taxes until Kansas is one of the most affordable states to work, raise a family, and start a business.”

In addition to tax cuts, Masterson promises to promote pro-growth policies for Kansas jobs, fund the police, support “tough on crime policies” and give parents authority over their children’s education, which he believes should teach reading and math, “not woke nonsense.”

Holscher, meanwhile, supports increased funding for public school and special education, expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, legalizing recreational and medicinal marijuana and increasing the minimum wage.