The field of candidates seeking to follow Laura Kelly as Kansas governor continues to get more crowded — and there is now a battle setting up on the Democrat side.
State Senator Ethan Corson announced his candidacy this week. Corson has been representing District 7, or segments of Johnson County, since 2001, and says he is focused on strengthening public education, lowering tax burdens for families and recruiting new businesses to Kansas.
Corson joins Senator Cindy Holscher, who represents District 8 — just southwest of Corson’s district. Besides sharing Corson’s goals of enhancing public education and reducing taxes, her stated policy goals are reducing costs for healthcare, housing and childcare.
The Republican field already includes former governor and lieutenant governor Jeff Colyer, current Senate President Ty Masterson, current Secretary of State Scott Schwab, current Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, talk show host Doug Billings and data analyst Joy Eakins.
Not in the field is current Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. He announced Tuesday his “highest order of service to Kansas” is to improve the economy, including major business recruitment projects like bringing the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals across the Missouri state line, as well as data centers and large manufacturing opportunities. Toland also wants to continue work on bolstering private investment and creating jobs, notably in rural areas.
