Democratic state Sen. Cindy Holscher narrowly defeated Republican state Senate President Ty Masterson in the Kansas governor’s race, winning 50.3 percent to 49.7 percent and carrying the state by about 7,300 votes. NBC News projected Holscher the winner Thursday, meaning she will succeed two-term Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and keep the governor’s office in Democratic hands. Masterson had been endorsed by President Donald Trump and campaigned with him in the state, but Holscher tied Masterson to Trump while also saying she would work with the administration on selective issues. Holscher campaigned on a pledge to pause new data center construction until statewide guardrails are in place; Masterson opposed a moratorium and defended a 2025 sales tax exemption for data center investments. The race drew heavy spending advantages for Republicans, with ad-tracking firm AdImpact showing nearly a 3-to-1 Republican ad spending advantage. Holscher’s victory followed a bruising Democratic primary in which Gov. Kelly initially endorsed her primary opponent but later endorsed Holscher after the primary.
