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Articles by Kansas Insight
A historic flip in Kansas
So, that’s what a competitive Senate race looks like. Millions of dollars flood the state, broadening the campaign, multiplying attack ads and intensifying political discourse. Journalists from major news organizations descend, writing stories, spotlighting local issues, and engaging with voters across the state. The president and vice president even show up. kAm%96 42>A2:8?
Which Kansas Democrats will win?
Former Governor Kathleen Sebelius once said that in Kansas, “Democrats don’t win; Republicans lose.” Given how registered Republicans greatly outnumber registered Democrats throughout the state, that makes sense. Sometimes low-engagement Republicans dislike their party’s candidates and just stay home, and sometimes moderate and independent Republicans, for the same reasons, switch their votes, and Democrats eke out a win, despite GOP advantages.
The political storm of 2026
Will Kansas Republicans take back the Governor’s office? Can they hold the Senate seat for another six years? kAm$F556?=J[ ?6:E96C 2?DH6C =@@<D 46CE2:?] k^Am kAmqFE 9:DE@CJ DF886DED 42FE:@? 367@C6 4@F?E:?8 E96> @FE] p7E6C 2==[ 7@C 564256D #6AF3=:42?D 92G6 H62E96C65 2== D@CED @7 A@=:E:42= DE@C>D H9:=6 DE:== >2:?E2:?:?8 2 DEC@?8 8C:A @? E96 DE2E6’D A@=:E:4D] k^Am kAmrFCC6?E=J E96J 9@=5 3@E9 $6?2E6 D62ED[ E9C66 @7 7@FC 4@?8C6DD:@?2= 5:DEC:4ED[ 6?;@J DFA6C>2;@C:E:6D :?
Rebuilding civic trust in Kansas
Along with a few of my academic colleagues, I organize our university’s Constitution Day event around Sept. 17 – the anniversary of the completion of the proposed U.S. Constitution at the end of the Constitution Convention in 1787 – each year.
The miscalculation behind Kansas’ midterm governor elections
As we approach Labor Day, the unofficial start of the general election season, it’s worth looking back at a strategic decision Kansas Republicans made decades ago. In the early 1970s, as part of efforts to modernize the executive branch, Republicans advanced a constitutional amendment that replaced the old gubernatorial two-year term system, and no term limits, with four-year terms and a two-term limit.
Twenty years of political transformation in Kansas
This August marks the twentieth anniversary of my family’s arrival in Kansas, after I was hired to teach at Friends University in Wichita. After two decades here, what have I learned? That’s a complicated question and answering it fully would take a book (which I’m working on).
How AI is fueling the digital divide
It wasn’t long ago that policymakers worried the internet would split the country into digital “haves” and “have-nots,” leaving millions stranded without access to modern education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. So federal dollars poured into the states to help build broadband infrastructures. Kansas aggressively pursued those dollars, expanding statewide high-speed internet, rural connectivity and digital-equity programs.
The politics and policies behind the Aug. 4 amendment
Walking around my Wichita neighborhood over the past several days, I noticed something about the yard signs encouraging people to “Vote No” on the constitutional amendment to allow for the popular election of Kansas Supreme Court justices in one month’s time.
The end of democracy?
As the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaches, celebrations will begin nationwide. Yet they arrive at a moment when warnings about the fate of our democracy grow louder and more urgent. Each party accuses the other of plotting tyranny, rigging elections, and pushing the system to the brink. The parties make these claims with remarkable confidence and with no regard for the consequences. kAmx C646?E=J DA@<6 E@ 2 8C@FA @7 3FD:?6DD AC@76DD:@?2=D] p7E6CH2C5[ 2 >2?
A follow-up on Christians and Kansas politics: Democratic edition
Two months ago, I wrote a column on how Kansas Christians (which over two-thirds of the population identify as) have changed how they make use of their influence as citizens.
A bad case of myopic fog
Once in power, party members often develop an affliction called myopic fog. The condition presents as a compulsion to rewrite institutional rules. Common symptoms include electoral law manipulation, fixation on short-term advantage, and habitual overreaching. kAmr@?D:56C 6=64E:@? 25>:?:DEC2E:@?]k^Am kAmu@C J62CD[ #6AF3=:42?\4@?EC@==65 =68:D=2EFC6D 92G6 AFCDF65 DEC:4E6C G@E:?8 C6BF:C6>6?ED[ 7C2>:?8 E96> 2D 6=64E:@? :?E68C:EJ >62DFC6D E@ 4@>32E 7C2F5 2?5 3@=DE6C 4@?7:56?46 :?
Democratic hopefuls and uncontested elections
Every election year there are uncontested offices, so that the incumbent office-holders automatically win. While that sometimes occurs for federal positions, it is most consequential in state legislatures, where crucial policies are decided in elections that are often ignored, because the outcome is already assumed (and which thus becomes self-fulfilling).
Standards aren’t the problem, salaries are
When a profession is in high demand but short supply, the laws of supply and demand are clear. Wages rise. Scarcity forces employers to compete, using higher salaries to attract workers. Those higher wages also send an important signal, drawing in new people and easing shortages. This evidently does not apply to Kansas’s nurse educators. kAms6DA:E6 3C@25 28C66>6?E E92E 65F42E@C D9@CE286D 2C6 2 46?EC2= 5C:G6C @7 E96 DE2E6’D ?FCD:?8 D9@CE72==[ A2J C6>2:?D F?492?865] k^Am kAm(96?
Thoughts on Christian influence in Kansas
This Easter week, I’ve been thinking about the 70% of Kansans who identify as Christians (one of whom is me), and how their — that is, our — influence on this state has changed. When most people think about the impact of Christian voters, they imagine a whole range of specific political causes, from right to left.
Women out-degree men, and why it matters
For years, it advanced slowly, almost unnoticed. It wasn’t advertised at freshman orientations or highlighted in admission brochures. Yet it’s everywhere, in classrooms, resident halls, even in the quad where students gather. Over the past five decades, men have steadily disappeared from college campuses nationwide, including here in Kansas.
Cell phones, public schools and state exemptions
As a proposed state-wide ban on cell phones in Kansas classrooms winds its way through our state legislature — a ban that at least initially had strong support from both parties, a ban that would be similar to actions that have been taken in multiple other states — an interesting question has arisen. What is more important to the Kansas legislators: the well-being of students, or freedom from regulation for alternatives to public education?
No better time than now
Kansas Democrats last won a U.S. Senate seat in 1932. That’s the longest active losing streak in the nation. There’s only been one close race. In 1974, Bob Dole edged Bill Roy by 1.7 points. Democrats haven’t come close since. kAm(9:49 C2:D6D E96 BF6DE:@?i (92E H@F=5 :E E2<6 7@C s6>@4C2ED E@ 7:?2==J 3C62< E96 DEC62<nk^Am kAmu:CDE[ E96 3C@256C A@=:E:42= 6?G:C@?>6?E >FDE 3C62< 564:D:G6=J :?
Choosing state supreme court justices
Seven months from now, on Aug. 6, Kansas voters will see on their primary ballots an amendment to the state constitution that they can vote “yes” or “no” on: “The citizens of Kansas who are qualified electors shall elect the justices of the supreme court. The rules applicable for such elections and the designation of position numbers shall be provided by law.” kAm%96 DFAA@CE6CD @7 E9:D 2>6?5>6?E — AC:>2C:=J E96 #6AF3=:42? 42F4FD :?
Rediscovering common ground
Political polarization grabs headlines. But it’s not the whole story. Majorities in both parties believe there is more common ground than the news media and political leaders suggest. They report having constructive conversations with those holding opposing political views, and despite differences, say they’ve often worked together to address community challenges. kAm|2;@C:E:6D :? 3@E9 A2CE:6D 2=D@ 28C66 @? 7F?52>6?E2= 56>@4C2E:4 AC:?4:A=6D 2?5 @G6CH96=>:?8=J @AA@D6 6=64E:@?
Kansas, a land made by matriarchs
As the year comes to its end, thoughts often take an introspective turn. For me, for reasons both personal and public, that turn has me reflecting on the matriarchal nature of our state. Of course, given Kansas’s strong conservative streak and often rather traditional Christian culture, it’s easy for outsiders to assume that Kansas history reflects an antiquated “Father Knows Best” politics.
Questions for, and about, city managers in Kansas
Last month, two Kansas cities made decisions central to their future. The first city was Prairie Village, a town of barely 20,000 people; the second was Wichita, the largest municipality in the state, with almost 20 times PV’s population. Despite their differences and the many distinct issues in play in both cities, though, their decisions reflect a common argument. That argument is over city managers.
The two traditions of Thanksgiving
Leaders can unite or divide, whether it be by design or by misstep. Thanksgiving’s evolution shows how both can happen. kAm~? ~4E] b[ `geb[ 2>:5 AC@7@F?5 5:G:D:@? 2?5 FA962G2= @7 E96 r:G:= (2C[ !C6D:56?E {:?4@=? :DDF65 2 7@C>2= AC@4=2>2E:@? E92E 6DE23=:D965 2 }2E:@?2= s2J @7 %92?<D8:G:?8] k^Am kAmw6 :?G:E65 9:D “76==@H 4:E:K6?D :? 6G6CJ A2CE @7 E96 &?:E65 $E2E6D…E@ D6E 2A2CE 2?5 @3D6CG6 E96 =2DE %9FCD52J @7 }@G6>36C 2D 2 s2J @7 %92?<D8:G:?8 2?5 !C2:D6 E@ @FC 36?67:46?E u2E96C H9@ 5H6==6E9 :?
Ty Masterson’s un-American (and, for now, failed) argument for redistricting
With the failure of the Republican leadership’s push to call a special redistricting session, Kansas has now joined states like Indiana and New Hampshire, where a critical number of Republican legislators were unmoved by Trump’s unprecedented demand that state parties redraw their congressional districts in the middle of the decade to make them more Republican-friendly.
The Trump effect in Kansas
Has Trump changed how Kansans vote? It’s a question I hear a lot. Here’s my take. kAm%@ 2DD6DD 492?86[ H6 ?665 2 32D6=:?6] |:EE #@>?6J @776CD @?6] w6 C6AC6D6?ED E96 7:?2= 492AE6C @7 E96 #6282?\qFD9 EC25:E:@? 2?5 E96 =2DE v~! ?@>:?66 367@C6 %CF>A 7F?52>6?E2==J C6D92A65 E96 A2CEJ] k^Am kAmqJ 4@>A2C:?8 E96 6=64E@C2= A6C7@C>2?46D @7 %CF>A 2?5 #@>?6J[ x 42? :56?E:7J E9@D6 z2?D2D 4@F?E:6D E92E D9:7E65 >@C6 #6AF3=:42? @C >@C6 s6>@4C2E :? E96 %CF>A 6C2] k^Am kAmu@C 6I2>A=6[ 2? 6IA2?D:@? @7 2 4@F?EJ’D #6AF3=:42?
The fight over maps is really a fight over JoCo
It’s not about defeating Sharice Davids. After all, a Democrat occupying one of the four congressional seats is nothing new. kAmxE’D ?@E 23@FE 2AA62D:?8 %CF>A] #6AF3=:42?D’ A6?492?E E@ 86CCJ>2?56C AC652E6D 9:D :?G@=G6>6?E] k^Am kAmxE’D 23@FE y@9?D@? r@F?EJ]k^Am kAmu@C 564256D[ y@r@ @FEA2465 DE2E6H:56 #6AF3=:42? DFAA@CE] k^Am kAmu@C 6I2>A=6[ H96? t:D6?9@H6C 42CC:65 z2?D2D H:E9 2 H9@AA:?8 eh A6C46?E @7 E96 G@E6[ y@r@ DFCA2DD65 E92E >2C< H:E9 fa]d A6C46?E] (96? #6282?
A spotlight on the sun in Winfield
On Sept. 21, the day before the autumn equinox, about 20 people gathered in Memorial Park in Winfield to mark the conclusion of a local celebration of “Sun Day.” It was a hot Sunday afternoon, and downtown Winfield was pretty quiet. But that didn’t defeat the spirit that was felt by the participants, and the pride they had in doing their part for the cause. What cause? Solar power, of course. kAm$F? s2J H2D E96 3C2:?49:=5 @7 q:== |4z:336?[ 2?
Mixed emotions about wind turbines? You’re not alone.
West of Salina, on the way to Colorado, I saw them for the first time, towering over the plains, their immense blades turning in slow rhythmic circles. I was excited to see them, their sheer size awe inspiring. kAm|J 6I4:E6>6?E[ 9@H6G6C[ >:I65 H:E9 4@?46C? 2D E96 8:2?E >249:?6D 492?865 E96 BF:6E G2DE?6DD @7 E96 @A6? AC2:C:6 :?E@ D@>6E9:?8 4@>>6C4:2=[ 6G6?
Could President Trump take over policing in Wyandotte County?
Three weeks ago, President Trump declared that “the District of Columbia has lost control of public order and safety,” and ordered armed troops into the streets of Washington, DC to fight crime. His additional comments — that the nation’s capital is filled with “violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people” — were all basically untrue; Washington, DC is actually experiencing lower crime rates than it has in decades.
Schmidt, Schodorf, and the moderate Republican woman
When Vicki Schmidt, Kansas’s insurance commissioner, announced her run for the Republican nomination for governor with a folksy campaign video, some folks giggled at its earnestness. For my part, I liked it, mostly because, with its emphasis on non-ideological practicality, it reminded me of another competent, accomplished, moderate Republican woman in Kansas politics — Jean Schodorf, whose path Schmidt hasn’t followed, but should probably keep in mind, nonetheless.
Kelly’s big bet on Musk
Just two years ago, Democrats were on the verge of achieving their long-awaited green energy revolution. Biden had reversed Trump’s fossil fuel initiatives and set an ambitious goal for all new vehicles sold by 2030 to be zero-emissions. He signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a landmark climate package that delivered historic investments for cutting emissions. kAmt=64EC:4 G69:4=6D Wt'X =65 E96 H2J[ 2?
A final plea regarding Trump's Big Beautiful Bill
Dear Senator Moran, kAmxE’D >6 282:?[ HC:E:?8 2?@E96C @7 E96 ?@ 5@F3E E9@FD2?5D @7 =6EE6CD 2?5 6\>2:=D 2?5 E6IED E92E J@F’G6 C646:G65 @G6C E96 A2DE >@?E9[ 6G6C D:?46 E96 w@FD6 @7 #6AC6D6?E2E:G6D 2AAC@G65 — 3J 2 @?6\G@E6 >2C8:? — !C6D:56?E %CF>A’D 36=@G65 ~?6 q:8 q62FE:7F= q:== p4E] %92E 3:== :D 4@>:?8 E@ E96 7=@@C @7 E96 $6?2E6[ H:E9 E96 G@E:?8 @? :E 368:??:?8 A6C92AD 2D D@@? 2D %9FCD52J] $@ E9:D 4@=F>?
Why did Kelly veto the SNAP candy ban?
On April 4, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed a bill that asked the federal government to ban the use of SNAP, commonly called food stamps, for purchases of candy and pop. The bill instructed the Kansas Department of Children and Families (DCF) to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to eliminate the items. Curiously, Kelly’s veto message echoed the concerns of the beverage and candy industries. “This bill is wrong,” Kelly wrote.
On protests, proclamations, and performative politics
Back in December I wrote a column on symbolism and substance in politics.
Kansas awaits its next great political leader
The first half of the 20th century marked the beginning of a rich tradition of Kansas politicians. Three figures stand out. kAmu:CDE[ r92C=6D rFCE:D] q@C? :? %@A6<2[ rFCE:D >256 9:DE@CJ 2D E96 7:CDE }2E:G6 p>6C:42? E@ D6CG6 :? E96 &]$] r@?8C6DD 2D w@FD6 >6>36C 2?5 $6?2E@C] w6 H@F=5 C:D6 E@ $6?2E6 >2;@C:EJ =6256C 2?5 E96? E@ G:46 AC6D:56?E F?56C w6C36CE w@@G6C :? `hag] k^Am kAm$64@?5[ p=7 {2?5@?] pD 2 J@F?8 >2?[ {2?5@? >@G65 E@ E96 DF?7=@H6C DE2E6 E@ 2EE6?5 E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 z2?D2D] w6 H6?E @?
What’s the real problem with electing justices?
Sixteen months from now, Kansans will vote on a state constitutional amendment that will, if passed, institute popular elections for state supreme court justices. This possibility disturbs many Kansans, and it’s worth trying to understand why. Today, Kansas has a mostly merit-based system for choosing supreme court justices: while the governor makes the appointment, they are required to choose from list of candidates prepared by a non-partisan committee of lawyers.
Universities, veering left, should emphasize value
This is not a Republican illusion. The political leanings of academia are very real. Most professors identify as liberal and Democrat. University administrators skew left as well. kAmxE’D DEC:<:?8 9@H 76H AC@76DD@CD 2C6 4@?D6CG2E:G6 @C #6AF3=:42?]k^Am kAm%96 :>32=2?46 3682? 5FC:?8 E96 #6282? 6C2 2?5 92D 2446=6C2E65 D:?46 E92E E:>6] xE’D >@DE D6G6C6 :? E96 D@4:2= D4:6?46D 2?5 9F>2?:E:6D[ E9@F89 E96 ?F>36C @7 =:36C2= AC@76DD@CD 92D :?4C62D65 24C@DD 2== 5:D4:A=:?6D] k^Am kAm%96 65F42E:@? 6DE23=:D9>6?E :?
Road safety begins with roads, not drivers
This week, Kansas Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reed kicked off KDOT’s annual Transportation Safety Conference in Wichita by emphasizing the key components of decreasing fatalities on Kansas’s streets and highways: safer drivers, safer vehicles, safer speeds and safer roads. He was immediately followed by the conference’s keynote speaker, Charles Marohn, the founder of Strong Towns, an organization dedicated to helping America’s cities manage their finances and built environments better.
Adjusting to the new political reality
For decades, there has been a general understanding of the coalitions that define the two parties. The wealthy and college educated leaned Republican, while the less educated, working class, and the disadvantaged supported Democrats.
The good and could-be-better of Kansas philanthropy
Kansas cities, like all American cities – including all the blue ones that our new president regularly attacks – are not radical places. They may have more Democratic voters than the state’s rural counties, and those voters may prefer more egalitarian policies than will ever pass in Topeka, but their economies are just as dependent upon capitalism as the state and country as a whole. There are exceptions, though.
The surprising growth of the MAGA coalition
The question was asked repeatedly over the past few years: Was 2016 a fluke? Most Democrats and Never-Trump Republicans thought so. kAmp7E6C 2==[ %CF>A H@? 3J E96 D=:>>6DE @7 >2C8:?D :? 2 76H A:G@E2= DH:?8 DE2E6D 2?5 =@DE E96 A@AF=2C G@E6 3J ?62C=J b >:==:@?] k^Am kAm%96? %CF>A’D E6?FC6 :? E96 (9:E6 w@FD6 H2D >2C<65 3J 9:DE@C:42==J =@H AF3=:4 2AAC@G2=] w:D D288:?8 A@AF=2C:EJ H2D <6J E@ E96 4CFD9:?8 56762E :? a_a_] k^Am kAm%96 |pvp 4@2=:E:@?
Kansas Republicans and the Trump problem
Most voters make their decisions for various unreflective reasons; engaging in a prolonged internal struggle over whether or not to support any particular candidate, especially a candidate nominated by a party which the voter identifies with, just isn’t typical behavior. Donald Trump, though, has never been a typical candidate; he’s always been a contentious one.
Schwab’s post office criticism brings out bipartisan support
In today’s fiercely partisan environment, elected officials struggle to balance their party loyalties with their responsibilities as representatives of the public they serve. Most falter, unable to rise above their tribal instincts: witness Kris Kobach’s failed 2020 Senate campaign.
The often overlooked county governments
Most of those who watch politics focus on various national and state political contests, and that’s reasonable. Yet how many of us regularly interact with agents of the national or state governments, enforcing those state or national laws? The answer is: not many.
The problem of Kansas’s self-perception
I recently read the manuscript of a soon-to-be-published scholarly book looking at one of Kansas’s major cities. It was filled with sharp observations and smart ideas; when it’s published, I’ll buy copies of it for all my local representatives, in hopes that they’ll read it and learn something. But there’s one point in the manuscript that I can’t get out of my head.
Can Harris repeat Biden’s historic Johnson County performance?
For more than a century, Johnson County residents voted for Republican presidential candidates. Even during periods of Democrat strength, including Franklin Roosevelt’s landslide victory in 1932 and Lyndon Johnson’s overwhelming triumph in 1964, the county stayed true to its Republican identity. kAm(@@5H2C5 (:=D@? H2D E96 =2DE s6>@4C2E E@ H:? y@9?D@? r@F?EJ[ 249:6G:?8 E9:D 762E H2J 324< :? `h`e] k^Am kAmqFE :? a_a_[ y@6 q:56? AFE 2?
(Politically) surprised by summer
Before my family and I moved to Kansas, 18 years ago next month, I didn’t consider summer my favorite season. As a perpetual student and then a college professor, summer vacations were obviously a nice break, and of course summer activities were fun. But compared with flowers in the spring, foliage in the fall, and snow in the winter, summer just didn’t impress me. The Sunflower State changed that. People complain about the heat, humidity and wind, but I found it all quite wonderful.
Respecting voter choices: A key rule for democracy
Do people vote against their self-interest? For example, there are LGBTQ Americans that vote Republican, despite the party’s track record of unfavorable policies toward the LGBTQ community. kAm$:>:=2C=J[ 277=F6?E p>6C:42?D 324< !C6D:56?E q:56?[ 6G6? E9@F89 9:D E2I A@=:4:6D E2C86E 9:89\:?4@>6 9@FD69@=5D]k^Am kAmp?5 56DA:E6 s@?2=5 %CF>A’D A6CD:DE6?E 2EE24<D @? >:8C2?ED[ 2?5 DFAA@CE 7@C 92CD9 :>>:8C2E:@? A@=:4:6D[ >2?J {2E:?@D DFAA@CE 9:>] k^Am kAm(C:E:?8 27E6C E96 C66=64E:@? @7 v6@C86 (] qFD9 :?
Gun violence solutions include addressing systemic problems
Why did this happen? How can it be prevented from happening again? These are the questions asked after gunfire erupted at the conclusion of the Kansas City Super Bowl parade that left one person dead and dozens injured – including 11 children. kAmr:E:K6?D EFC?65 E@ E96 8@G6C?>6?E 7@C 2?DH6CD] k^Am kAm*6E E96 D@=FE:@?D AC@A@D65 3J 6=64E65 @77:4:2=D 5:776C65 2=@?8 A2CE:D2? =:?6D]k^Am kAm|@DE s6>@4C2ED 4@?D:56C 8F?D 2 AC:>2CJ E9C62E E@ D276EJ] %96J 4:E6 E9@FD2?5D @7 8F?
Facing uncomfortable partisan realities in Kansas
Like many of you, I’ve seen volunteers for the United Kansas Party over the past few months collecting signatures to gain ballot access as a legitimate political party. I’m happy to see them out there, even though their efforts imply something, I think, quite different from their intentions. Why support them? Not because I think third parties are an effective way to challenge those in power.
Protest votes signal trouble for Biden, Trump
The presidential primaries are unfolding quietly. Having clinched their party nominations early, Biden and Trump have shifted focus toward the general election. Yet all is not well. kAmuC@> E96 DE2CE[ 2 DEF33@C? 2?5 D:K623=6 A6C46?E286 @7 s6>@4C2E 2?5 #6AF3=:42? AC:>2CJ G@E6CD 92G6 C67FD65 E@ 6?5@CD6 E96 7C@?E CF??6CD] x?DE625[ E96J 92G6 G@E65 7@C E96 2=E6C?2E:G6D] %96 D:8?:7:42?46 @7 E96D6 G@E6D 364@>6D 4=62C :?
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