Kansas' top elections official is running for governor after pushing back on conspiracy theories

The top elections official in Kansas is running for governor after building his public profile by pushing back against unfounded election conspiracy theories and breaking with fellow Republicans on voting rights issues. Secretary of State Scott Schwab announced his campaign in an online video Wednesday. He is the first candidate to confirm plans to seek the GOP nomination in 2026 to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Schwab has repeatedly vouched for the integrity of Kansas elections on his two-term watch. Schwab also has defended the use of ballot drop boxes and publicly rejected a message promoted by other Republicans that voting by noncitizens is a major problem.