Democratic state Sen. Cindy Holscher of Overland Park this morning officially launched a campaign for Kansas governor.
“I’m running for governor to find real solutions and to put real Kansans first,” Holscher said in a statement.
“I came into politics to fight for our kids and schools,” Holscher said.
“In the Legislature, I’ve worked to make life more affordable for families. Billionaires and special interests have too many politicians in their pocket,” she said.
Holscher, whose treasurer is former Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers, is the second Democratic candidate to get into the Kansas governor’s race.
Personal fitness trainer Marty Tuley of Lawrence last week appointed a treasurer to start raising money to run for governor. He also has created a website.
Holscher had long been considering a bid for Kansas governor but left open the possibility of running for U.S. Senate against Roger Marshall.
She has been touring the state in recent weeks as she gauged whether she would run for the U.S. Senate or governor.
It’s not clear whether she has the support of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who has been widely believed to be encouraging former attorney general candidate Chris Mann to run for the seat.
Mann has been looking at running for attorney general again, but his name has surfaced in recent weeks as a possible candidate for governor.
Mann has not responded to multiple emails seeking comment about whether he was planning to run for governor.
Support of party leaders in could be key in a Democratic primary since it could play a role in fundraising and the financial health of any campaign going forward.
Kelly is chair of the Democratic Governor’s Association and could be in position to steer national donors to a candidate she might decided to back.
The governor’s office did not comment on Holscher’s candidacy.
Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes of Overland Park also has been considering running for governor.
Lt. Gov. David Toland has generally been considered the most likely Democratic candidate to run for governor as Kelly’s possible heir apparent.
But there have been no signs so far that Toland is interested in the job, leaving a lack of clarity about what the Democratic field for governor might look like in 2026.
Multiple Democratic sources have said that Toland has been focusing his time and efforts on recruiting the Royals and Chiefs to Kansas.
There’s a view that Toland really doesn’t embrace politics as much as chasing economic development deals and taking on a role in the private sector or devoting time to his family.
Holscher served two terms in the Kansas House from 2017 to 2020 and then was elected to the Senate where she replaced former Majority Leader Jim Denning.
How much statewide recognition she would have running from Johnson County remains to be seen, especially if she would have a primary against someone like Mann who has already run statewide, albeit losing to Kris Kobach in 2022.
The Republican field is still forming with former Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and Secretary of State Scott Schwab already announcing their candidacies.
Senate President Ty Masterson is expected to join the field, possibly later this month. And Johnson County businessman Philip Sarnecki has been putting together a campaign team.
Other candidates who could join the Republican field include Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, former Royals General Manager Dayton Moore and Wichita businesswoman Joy Eakins.
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.
Conservative podcaster Doug Billings is the only Republican candidate to officially have filed to run for the seat.
