Kansas Lt. Gov. David Toland made it official Tuesday morning that he’s not running for governor, although he had already showed no signs of running in 2026.
He had long been considered the leading Democrat to run for governor, but many didn’t believe he had the appetite for a political campaign.
He said in a statement that he’s immersed in ongoing economic development projects such as trying to lure the Chiefs and the Royals to Kansas.
“With so many critically important economic development projects in the works, I have made the decision not to run for governor, or any other elected office, in 2026,” Toland said in a statement.
“I believe my highest order of service to Kansas is to remain focused on our economy, not on politics,” he said.
“I look forward to completing my term as lieutenant governor and secretary of commerce of this great State – and landing as many economic wins for Kansas as possible in the important months ahead.”
There was a view that Toland really didn’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.
“You’ve got to have a real high bullshit tolerance to be in politics,” a Democratic source told the Sunflower State Journal earlier this year. “I’m just not sure he really has that.”
