KS-GOV: Kansas senator (D) leans into bipartisan allure in campaign for Kansas governor
TOPEKA — All four of Democratic state Sen. Cindy Holscher successful campaigns for the Kansas Legislature were in districts distinguished by the strong influence of Republicans and independents.
Her political career began with defeat of GOP incumbent Rep. Amanda Grosserode in 2016 and reelection to that Johnson County seat in the Kansas House. Next was her 2020 campaign for a Kansas Senate seat held by retiring GOP Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, in which Holscher defeated former Republican Rep. James Todd.
Now, in her biggest electoral test, Holscher is asking red-state Kansas to make her the Democratic Party’s nominee for governor in 2026 so she can attempt to follow in footsteps of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.
“It’s great training ground for a governor’s run. Of course, on the state level, you can’t just win with Democrat numbers. You have to have Republicans and independents,” Holscher said. “Kansans want commonsense solutions. That’s what it’s all about. I’m going to listen to people. I’m going to collaborate and work together with peers. I’m going to listen to the experts in terms of health care and issues like that.”
https://kansasreflector.com/2025/10/06/kansas-senator-leans-into-bipartisan-allure-in-campaign-for-kansas-governor/