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# Democrat Cindy Holscher wins Kansas governor's race. Trump-backed Masterson concedes.
- URL: https://www.workersrights.news/cindy-holscher-wins-kansas-governor-masterson-concedes/
- Published: 2026-11-13T00:54:25.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-13T00:54:25.000Z
- Description: The AP called it nine days after Election Day. Holscher won by about 7,000 votes despite being outspent nearly 3 to 1 on ads.
- Author: WorkersRights.News Team
- Tags: Politics

Democrat Cindy Holscher will be the next governor of Kansas. The Associated Press called the race for her on Thursday, more than a week after Election Day, and Republican Ty Masterson conceded the same day.

Holscher, a Kansas legislator since 2017, had just over 551,000 votes and led by more than 7,000 when the race was called, [KCTV reported](https://www.kctv5.com/2026/11/12/democrat-cindy-holscher-be-next-governor-kansas/?ref=workersrights.news). The margin was narrow enough to trigger a state-required post-election audit, which kept the race uncalled after [our Nov. 4 roundup of governor's races](https://www.workersrights.news/democrats-win-most-governorships-iowa-nevada-flip/).

"Thank you, Kansas! It's the honor of a lifetime to serve as your next Governor," Holscher said Thursday.

Masterson, the Kansas Senate president since 2021, had President Trump's backing, [NBC News reported](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/kansas-governor-cindy-holscher-democrat-election-win-masterson-rcna603370?ref=workersrights.news). Republicans outspent Democrats on ads nearly 3 to 1, according to AdImpact figures cited by NBC.

"I've called Senator Holscher to congratulate her on her election," Masterson said in his concession. He added that "Kansans sent a Republican Legislature to Topeka" and said he will return to the state Senate in January.

### What was on the ballot

Holscher called for a statewide moratorium on new data center construction, which Masterson opposed, and a pro-data center super PAC called Building the Future spent to help him, NBC reported. Both candidates ran on property taxes. Holscher blamed years of underfunded special education for pushing costs onto local taxpayers. "We have to fund education and stop the giveaways to billionaires," she told [KMBC](https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-governor-race-2026-holscher-masterson-election-results/74287424?ref=workersrights.news).

Holscher will succeed Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, who is term-limited. It is the first time in Kansas history that a Democrat has been elected to succeed another Democratic governor, KCTV reported. Kansas voters also elected Democrat Adam Hamilton to the U.S. Senate, the state's first Democratic senator since 1932, and Democrat Chris Mann as attorney general.

### What's next

Kansas law requires county election boards to review late-arriving mail ballots and provisional ballots before certified totals go to the state. Holscher takes office Jan. 11, 2027\. She will work with a Republican Legislature on wages, taxes and school funding.

### Sources

- [KCTV: Democrat Cindy Holscher to be next governor of Kansas](https://www.kctv5.com/2026/11/12/democrat-cindy-holscher-be-next-governor-kansas/?ref=workersrights.news)
- [KMBC: Holscher declared winner, Masterson concedes race](https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-governor-race-2026-holscher-masterson-election-results/74287424?ref=workersrights.news)
- [NBC News: Democrat Cindy Holscher wins Kansas governor's race](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/kansas-governor-cindy-holscher-democrat-election-win-masterson-rcna603370?ref=workersrights.news)