incumbents rarely draw primary challengers and often go years without facing opposition of any kind. This election cycle, only Lawrence legislators Barbara Ballard, District 44, and Brooklynne Mosley, District 46, advanced without an opponent. In every other race involving African-American candidates The Community Voice identified, voters will have a choice in either August or November.
District 33: Democrats compete for chance to challenge incumbent
In western Wyandotte County, Democratic newcomers Ramona Smith and Emily Banks are competing for the right to challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Carolyn Caiharr in November.
Smith, a Park University graduate, has spent the past 15 years leading healthcare modernization efforts for major organizations including the Veterans Administration, Department of Defense, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Centene and Providence Health System.
Banks serves on the Bonner Springs City Council and is executive director of the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce.
The winner will face Caiharr, a Realtor who was appointed to complete an unexpired term in the Kansas House in 2025. She also serves as mayor of Edwardsville.
District 55: Incumbent faces Democratic challenger in Topeka
In Topeka’s District 55, Democratic Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen is seeking another term after completing his second two-year term in the Legislature.
Schlingensiepen, a former senior minister at First Congregational Church of Topeka and former treasurer of the Kansas Democratic Party, faces Democratic newcomer Zinaia Armstead, a licensed social worker and therapist who specializes in trauma, anxiety and depression.
The winner of the primary will take on Republican Lanell Griffith in November.
District 75: Republican primary to replace departing representative
One of the more interesting races in south-central Kansas is taking place in District 75, centered around El Dorado.
Republican Rep. Will Carpenter, who has represented the district since 2019, is not seeking reelection. That has created a Republican primary between Javion Napier and Tyler Coats.
Napier first gained attention in nearby Wichita as a teenager for efforts to feed homeless residents and later for launching an effort to open a restaurant that would employ people experiencing homelessness. Coats is a conservative Republican seeking to keep the seat in GOP hands.
The primary winner will advance to face Democrat Randy Quinn in November.
District 78: Democratic primary in Olathe-area district
In Johnson County’s District 78, Democrat KaMesha Bernard is seeking the opportunity to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Robin Essex.
Bernard, a community advocate with a background in criminal justice, says she is focused on education, economic opportunity, affordable living and healthcare access.
She faces Democrat Tim Lundberg, a retired air traffic controller and avid bowler.
The winner will move on to challenge Essex, who has represented the district since 2023.
District 84: Familiar names square off in Wichita
One of Wichita’s most closely watched Democratic primaries features incumbent Rep. Ford Carr and publisher Bonita Gooch.
Carr has represented the district since 2023 and has never faced opposition in either a primary or general election. Gooch’s candidacy marks the first challenge of any kind to his seat.
Gooch, publisher and owner of The Community Voice, says 30 years of working with residents, community organizations and local leaders have given her a unique understanding of the district’s needs and the relationships necessary to effectively advocate for the community in Topeka..
No Republican filed in the district, meaning the Democratic primary winner is likely to become the district’s next representative.
District 89: Open seat creates opportunity
District 89 became open when Rep. KC Ohaebosim decided not to seek reelection and instead joined the gubernatorial ticket headed by Sen. Cindy Holscher as her lieutenant governor running mate.
Two Democratic candidates have stepped up hoping to win the seat. The primary pits Carol Brewer against Jalon Britton, both of whom have run unsuccessfully for legislative office before.
Brewer, daughter of former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer, operates Dorothy’s Lane, a nonprofit that assists families facing a range of challenges. She previously ran for a southeast Wichita legislative seat.
Britton, a Wichita State University graduate who has worked in education, youth development and family services, previously challenged Republican Rep. Patrick Penn in east Wichita’s District 98.
No Republican filed in District 89, making the Democratic primary especially significant.
Incumbents face Republican challengers in Kansas City
Not every race involves a primary.
In Kansas City, Rep. Valdenia Winn, who has represented District 34 since 2001, will face Republican CeCe Harlin in the general election. Harlin ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Kansas City, Kansas, in 2025.
Rep. Wanda Brownlee Paige, who is completing her first term representing District 35, faces Republican challengers Alex Sanchez and Lisa Walker-Yeager. Both Sanchez and Walker-Yeager have run unsuccessfully for office before.
Both Winn and Brownlee Paige also serve on the Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Education.
Whether the contests are primaries, general elections or open-seat races, voters in many traditionally uncontested districts will have more choices than they have become accustomed to seeing.
