Holscher defeats Kelly-backed Corson to clinch Democratic nod in Kansas governor’s race
Cindy Holscher, a Democratic state senator, secured the party's nomination for Kansas governor in the primary election, according to preliminary returns from Decision Desk HQ. She will succeed departing Gov. Laura Kelly, who did not seek re-election, as the Democratic standard-bearer in the general election.
Holscher's victory came in a three-way contest against state Senator Ethan Corson, who carried the endorsement of outgoing Governor Kelly, and Overland Park Mayor Curt Skook. The race represented an internal Democratic contest to determine who would lead the party's ticket for the state's highest office.
In short
- Democratic state Senator Cindy Holscher won Kansas's Democratic primary for governor, preliminary results show
- Holscher defeated state Senator Ethan Corson (backed by outgoing Gov. Kelly) and Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog
Explained simply
Kansas governor elections choose the state’s chief executive, who oversees state government and signs or vetoes laws passed by the legislature. Before the general election, parties hold primaries to choose the candidate who will represent them.
Cindy Holscher and Ethan Corson are Democratic state senators, while Curt Skook is the mayor of Overland Park. Laura Kelly, the outgoing Democratic governor, is not seeking another term, so the party’s nominee will be its candidate for an open seat.
The nomination matters because it sets up the next stage of the contest for governor. The winner of the general election will take over from Kelly and lead Kansas state government.