Kansas Primary: Political Comebacks and Contested Races in 2nd District
Kansas' 2nd District primary features political comebacks and diverse candidates. Other districts see contested races, while state and local elections unfold across the Sunflower State.
In the heart of the Sunflower State, Kansas voters are gearing up for a pivotal primary election on August 6, 2024. The state's 2nd Congressional District, which includes the capital city of Topeka, is at the center of attention with an open seat inspiring political comebacks and heated contests.
The Republican primary in the 2nd District features five candidates, with Derek Schmidt emerging as a frontrunner. Schmidt, a former three-term attorney general, secured an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. His main challengers include Shawn Tiffany, a rancher positioning himself as a political outsider, and Jeff Kahrs, who served as a regional health official during the Trump administration.
On the Democratic side, Nancy Boyda, who represented the district from 2007 to 2008, is vying for a comeback. Her centrist approach has sparked controversy within the party. Boyda's opponent, Matt Kleinmann, a community health advocate and former member of the University of Kansas' 2008 national champion basketball team, presents himself as a more traditional Democratic voice.
"Quite honestly, a lot of the 2nd District is not going to trust a Democrat going to Washington, D.C. They want to make sure that you are moderate and that you are independent."
The 2nd District race is not the only contested primary in Kansas. In the Kansas City-area 3rd District, Prasanth Reddy and Karen Crnkovich compete for the chance to challenge three-term U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the lone Democrat in the state's congressional delegation. Meanwhile, in the 1st District, which covers western Kansas, two-term U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann faces a challenge from Eric Bloom.
Beyond congressional races, Kansans will also cast votes for 40 state Senate and 125 state House districts, as well as various county offices. This comprehensive electoral process reflects Kansas' rich political history, including its admission to the Union as a free state in 1861 and its pioneering role in women's political participation, with the first female mayor in the United States elected in Argonia, Kansas, in 1887.
As voters head to the polls, they carry with them the legacy of a state that has played a significant role in American politics. From being the first to ratify the 15th Amendment to its leadership in the prohibition movement, Kansas continues to be a battleground for diverse political ideologies. The outcome of these primaries will shape the future of representation for the Sunflower State in Washington and beyond.
