By Clay Wirestone | opinion editor
Good morning! Monday was packed, to put it mildly. Candidates for state elections had to officially file by noon. Were there surprises? Just look below for the answer. (Here’s a hint: yes.) We also kick off Pride Month by commemorating rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker. Let’s go!
Sherman Smith / Kansas Reflector
Overland Park mayor makes late entry into Kansas governor’s race, challenging Democratic senators
TOPEKA — Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog made a late entry into the governor’s race Monday, launching his campaign for the Democratic nomination just three hours ahead of the noon filing deadline.
Skoog, who chose Fredonia physician Jennifer Bacani McKenney as his running mate, said he was motivated to run for governor because he didn’t believe the other Democratic contenders had gained enough traction.
“It was clear that we needed somebody from outside the Legislature to lead this state as governor, and being a mayor brings a whole different perspective to what it takes to run a state like this,” Skoog said. “A dysfunctional Legislature is not a recipe for success in the governor’s office.”
Two Democratic state senators from Johnson County, Cindy Holscher and Ethan Corson, announced their candidacy a year ago. All three of the Democrats claim to be the only candidate who can beat Senate President Ty Masterson, who received President Donald Trump’s endorsement last week. Other prominent Republicans in the race include Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt and businessman Philip Sarnecki.
Kansas governor’s office
OPINION
As Pride Month dawns, Kansas governor helps celebrate rainbow flag creator Gilbert Baker
By Clay Wirestone
Happy Gilbert Baker Day!
Thanks to a proclamation from Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed Friday, we can celebrate the life and work of Parsons native Baker this June 2. He created a piece of American iconography that has spread across the globe and into the hearts of those who care for their gay neighbors: the rainbow pride flag.
Tim Carpenter / Kansas Reflector
Former Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer drops out of Kansas gubernatorial race
TOPEKA — Former Gov. Jeff Colyer ended a Republican campaign Monday for the party’s 2026 nomination for governor in wake of President Donald Trump’s endorsement of rival Senate President Ty Masterson.
Colyer, who was sworn in as governor in 2018 after the resignation of GOP Gov. Sam Brownback, was attempting to claim the nomination in 2026 after withdrawing from the race for health reasons in 2022 and falling several hundred votes short of winning the nomination in the 2018 primary.
Third-party activists claiming leadership of No Labels Kansas object to blockade on candidacies
TOPEKA — Kris Van Meteren and David Miller submitted paperwork to represent the No Labels Kansas political party in bids for statewide office.
First-time Kansas House candidates articulate reasons for running for Legislature
By the time Secretary of State Scott Schwab sounded the gavel to mark closure of the filing period, more than 250 Republicans and Democrats had filed paperwork to appear on ballots for the Aug. 4 primary election. More than 30 candidates are running unopposed in their district.
Buzzing to volunteer? Kansas looks for help with Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas
TOPEKA — Kansas needs help documenting bumble bees to develop a catalogue of their habitats, foraging and population across three states, serving as a resource for conservation.
Trump’s $1.77 billion ‘slush fund’ may be on the way out after GOP objections
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund appeared to be on shaky ground Monday as he continued to face opposition from his own party.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.
6:30 p.m. June 12, Kansas Museum of History in Topeka. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone will join a panel discussion: "From the Desk of William Allen White: What Can Journalism Today Learn from the Sage of Emporia?"
5:30 p.m. June 16, Bradbury Alumni Center at Washburn University in Topeka. Editor-in-chief Sherman Smith will lead a discussion on the proposed constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices. Host: Kansas Appleseed. Register here.
6 p.m. June 24, Groover Labs in Wichita. Editor-in-chief Sherman Smith will lead a discussion on the proposed constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices. Host: Kansas Appleseed. Register here.
6 p.m. June 25, Clint Bowyer Community Building in Emporia. Editor-in-chief Sherman Smith will lead a discussion on the proposed constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices. Host: Kansas Appleseed. Register here.
7 p.m. June 27, Park City Senior Center. Host: Park City Community Pride.
2 p.m. Sept. 27, Red Rocks Visitor Center in Emporia. Host: Red Rocks.
If you're interested in having us talk in your town, email Sherman Smith at [email protected].
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