Democrat Cindy Holscher wins Kansas governor's race, extending party's hold on governor's mansion

Democratic state Sen. Cindy Holscher won the Kansas governor’s race, defeating Republican Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson in the open contest to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, The Associated Press projected.

The victory keeps the governor’s mansion in Democratic hands and marks the third consecutive Kansas gubernatorial election won by a Democrat. Kelly won the office in 2018 and secured a second term in 2022.

Holscher has served in the Kansas Senate since 2021 after previously spending four years in the state House. She secured the Democratic nomination after defeating fellow state Sen. Ethan Corson, who was endorsed by Kelly and former Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, in the August primary.

Holscher faced scrutiny during the campaign over resurfaced social media posts from 2023 in which she suggested Jesus Christ could have been transgender. The comments came during a debate over proposed Kansas legislation restricting drag performances in front of children.