Former Kansas. Gov. Jeff Colyer made his 2026 campaign for governor official on Wednesday, rolling out a new campaign ad portraying himself as a “job creator and “a fiscal conservative” who is “tough on crime.”
The ad embraces President Donald Trump, who could play a key role in the Republican primary if he chooses to endorse. The ad reflects on his own successful battle with cancer and his humanitarian work in war zones around the globe.
The ad was released a couple days after Colyer announced that he had appointed a campaign treasurer.
Colyer outlined a broad agenda on social media that included ending diversity, equity and inclusion mandates and “woke ideologies.”
He vowed to remove DEI directives and “political indoctrination” from the state’s public schools and classroom.
“Education Not Indoctrination,” he posted on social media.
He said he wanted to guarantee that parents — “not destructive bureaucrats” — decide what’s best for their children’s education and upbringing.
He promised to stand with small businesses and “our incredible farmers because they’re the backbone of this state.”
Colyer served as governor in 2018, replacing former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback who took a job with President Trump’s administration.
When he took office in 2018, Colyer promised to bring a new, approachable style to the governor’s office after serving seven years as Brownback’s lieutenant governor.
At the time, lawmakers praised Colyer’s hiring decisions, especially making former Budget Director Shawn Sullivan the administration’s chief operating officer and appointing Jeff Andersen as the secretary at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
During that first term, Colyer signed a bill giving legal protections to faith-based adoption agencies that cite their religious beliefs for not placing children in LGBTQ homes.
The Colyer administration fought for a work requirement for the state’s Medicaid program known as KanCare. He also backed a cap on lifetime benefits for Medicaid patients, but that was rejected by the federal government.
He also signed a five-year, $525 million plan to fund education to meet a court order to adequately fund schools, although the state Supreme Court later sent it back to the Legislature to add more funding.
Just before he left office, Colyer signed an executive order granting paid parental leave to state employees for the birth or adoption of a child.
Colyer ran for a full-four year term in 2018 and came up very short in the Republican primary, losing to then-Secretary of State Kris Kobach.
Colyer ran again in 2022, but later withdrew from a race against Attorney General Derek Schmidt after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Colyer served as a White House Fellow for international affairs under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
He has a bachelor’s in economics from Georgetown University, a master’s in international relations from Cambridge University and a medical degree from the University of Kansas.
Colyer is now facing Republican primary opposition from Secretary of State Scott Schwab and most likely Senate President Ty Masterson.
Conservative podcaster Doug Billings, an ardent Trump supporter, has already filed to run for governor along with his running mate, April McCoy.
Former Royals General Manager Dayton Moore also is considering running for governor and so is southern Johnson County businessman Phil Sarnecki.
Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt and Wichita businesswoman Joy Eakins are also considering a run for governor.
Former Johnson County Commissioner Charlotte O’Hara and Republican businesswoman Stacy Rogers have each appointed treasurers to run for governor but have not officially filed to run for the office.
After Colyer made his announcement, Schwab issued a statement.
“Voters deserve choices,” Schwab said. “As I have traveled the state and visited with Kansans, it is clear that they are ready for conservative leadership that puts Kansas on a path for sustained growth.
“They are eager to move forward from eight years of Laura Kelly and want a candidate who can actually win. One who will deliver property tax relief, secure our state, and lead with Kansas values,” he said.
“I am confident that my proven conservative record of delivering for Kansans will resonate
with voters who want to turn the page on the past.”
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