Updated May 24, 2026, 4:10 p.m. CT
- Former President Donald Trump endorsed Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson for the 2026 governor’s race.
- Masterson is one of nine declared candidates in the Republican primary.
- Masterson stated he was honored by the endorsement and would continue to fight for conservative values.
President Donald Trump has made an endorsement in the Republican primary for the 2026 Kansas governor’s race.
Trump endorsed Senate President Ty Masterson on May 24.
“Ty Masterson has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of Kansas — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump’s endorsement comes as the Republican president remains massively influential in GOP primaries.
Earlier the same week, a slew of Trump-endorsed candidates in other states won their primaries or advanced to runoffs, including the defeat of Brad Raffensperger in Georgia’s gubernatorial race and the ouster of U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie. Earlier in May, state legislative primaries in Indiana saw Trump supporters oust Republicans who opposed gerrymandered redistricting.
The Kansas primary election is on Aug. 4.
“It is my Great Honor to endorse Ty Masterson, a fantastic Candidate running to be the next Governor of the Great State of Kansas, a place I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024!” Trump said. “Ty will run on the Republican ‘ticket’ with my friend, the Great U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, who, along with many America First Patriots in Kansas, strongly believe in him.
“A highly successful Small Business Owner and Entrepreneur, and Kansas’ very popular State Senate President, Ty has dedicated his life to serving his Community. As your next Governor, Ty will work tirelessly to Champion Kansas Values, Promote our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Advance MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Support our Brave Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, Safeguard our Elections, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”
The endorsement comes about three weeks after the Trump White House sent a letter addressed to Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins that praised the Republican-led Kansas Legislature.
Masterson, of Wichita suburb Andover, is one of nine declared Republicans running in the GOP primary.
“I am deeply honored to receive President Donald J. Trump’s endorsement,” Masterson said in a statement. “President Trump transformed our country by fighting for secure borders, lower taxes, American energy dominance, and putting working families first. In Kansas, I’ve taken that same approach — leading the fight to cut taxes, stand up to the left’s agenda, and defend our values.
“As Governor, I’ll continue that fight to deliver real results for Kansas families and keep our state strong, safe, and free. I ask all Sunflower State Republicans to stand with President Trump and join me in our fight to take back Kansas.”
The 2026 governor’s race will replace Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who is term-limited.
The filing deadline is June 1. So far, only one Republican candidate has officially filed.
Other declared candidates in the GOP gubernatorial primary are former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, as well as Philip Sarnecki, Joy Eakins, Charlotte O’Hara, Stacy Rogers and Doug Billings.
Masterson, Colyer, Schwab, Schmidt and Sarnecki are the most prominent candidates on the Republican side.
The Democratic field features Sens. Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher, as well as personal trainer Marty Tuley.
Glynnis Harvey, a spokesperson for Corson, said in a statement that “Ty Masterson and the Republican field have spent the last year auditioning for Donald Trump,” but “Trump’s policies have made life harder on Kansans.”
Masterson, Colyer and Sarnecki have all likened themselves to Trump during their campaigns.
At a GOP candidate forum in October, Masterson compared himself to Trump because he is “brutally effective,” Colyer because noted he’d be returning to the executive office after previously holding it, and Sarnecki said he is “an outside business leader.”
“Just like President Trump, I’m not a career politician,” Sarnecki says in one of his TV ads.
Colyer, in a TV ad, includes a clip of Trump at an October 2018 rally in Topeka where Trump called Colyer “one hell of a governor.” Two months earlier, Trump endorsed Kris Kobach over Colyer in the 2018 GOP gubernatorial primary.
Speaking at the Kansas Republican Party’s election headquarters ahead of Trump’s presidential address in February, Masterson said he met Trump last fall and Trump asked him if he liked former President Ronald Reagan.
“I said ‘I love Ronald Reagan,’” Masterson said, before adding “I said, ‘but I got to tell you, I thought he was the greatest president in modern history ’til you showed up.’”
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.
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