Democratic state Sen. Cindy Holscher has won the race for Kansas governor, according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ, defeating Republican Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, who had President Donald Trump’s endorsement. The race was called on Thursday, Nov. 12, more than a week after Election Day.
The result
- ✔ Cindy Holscher (D) — Projected winner: 551,865 votes (50.34%)
- Ty Masterson (R): 544,432 votes (49.66%)
Those were the Decision Desk HQ totals at the time of the call, with more than 95% of the expected vote counted, a margin of roughly 7,400 votes.
A Democrat holds the governor’s office in a Trump state
Holscher will succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Her victory keeps the governor’s mansion in Democratic hands in a state Trump carried by roughly 16 points in 2024, and denies Republicans what The Hill described as one of their best pickup opportunities this year.
Kansas has a history of electing Democratic governors despite its Republican lean. Kelly won competitive races in both 2018 and 2022.
An upset by the forecasts
Heading into the final weekend before the election, Decision Desk HQ still rated the race as leaning toward Masterson, giving him a 65% chance of winning. Its polling average had Masterson ahead of Holscher, 48% to 46.5%.
Holscher, the more progressive candidate in the Democratic primary, defeated fellow state Sen. Ethan Corson, who had the backing of Kelly and former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
Sources: Decision Desk HQ, The Hill.