GOP dukes it out in red state primary to reclaim governor’s mansion

Republican voters in Kansas chose their nominee Tuesday in one of the year’s highest-profile gubernatorial primaries.

Ty Masterson will face the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 3 general election to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

Republicans see the open-seat race as a prime opportunity to reclaim the governor’s mansion after two terms under Kelly, while Democrats are hoping to defy the state’s Republican lean and retain control of the office.

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The Republican field featured several well-known statewide and legislative leaders, including Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Senate President Ty Masterson and Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt.

On the Democratic side, voters are choosing among state senators Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher and Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog.

The winner of that primary will face the new Republican nominee in November.

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The campaign centered on familiar conservative priorities, including tax relief, education, immigration, public safety and cultural issues, as candidates sought to distinguish themselves through their leadership experience and competing visions for the state’s future.

The primary also coincided with a closely watched constitutional amendment that would replace Kansas’ current system of appointing Supreme Court justices with direct elections.

The proposal, backed by Republican lawmakers, comes after years of conservative criticism of Kansas Supreme Court rulings on issues including abortion, school funding and election law.