Kansas' 2nd Congressional District election (August 7, 2018 Republican primary)

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Kansas' 2nd Congressional District
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Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: June 1, 2018
Primary: August 7, 2018
General: November 6, 2018
Pre-election incumbent:
Lynn Jenkins (Republican)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voting in Kansas
Race ratings
Cook Partisan Voter Index (2018): R+10
Cook Political Report: Toss-up
Inside Elections: Toss-up
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Toss-up
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2018
See also
Kansas' 2nd Congressional District
1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th
Kansas elections, 2018
U.S. Congress elections, 2018
U.S. Senate elections, 2018
U.S. House elections, 2018

Army veteran and engineer Steve Watkins (R) defeated state Sens. Caryn Tyson (R) and Steve Fitzgerald (R) and four other candidates in the Republican primary for Kansas' 2nd Congressional District.

Watkins led the Republican field in fundraising with $640,000 in contributions, including $475,000 in loans he made to his campaign.[1] He was also boosted by ad buys from With Honor Fund and Kansans Can Do Anything, a group funded by his father.

He faced criticism for reportedly attending a meeting at the Shawnee Democratic Party headquarters in 2017 to discuss running as a Democrat. Watkins denied the charge, saying he met with the party's vice chair to discuss policy. In response to The Kansas City Star finding one record of Watkins voting as a Republican, a week before he filed for the race, Watkins said that he remained politically inactive while serving in the military.[2]

Tyson and Fitzgerald reported $604,000 and $458,000 in contributions, respectively, through mid-July 2018.[3]

Shortly before the June 1 filing deadline, former Kansas House Speaker Doug Mays (R)—who carried this district in his 2014 gubernatorial bid against Sam Brownback (R)—also entered the race.[4][5]

Candidates sparred over who was best equipped to challenge former state House Minority Leader Paul Davis (D), who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and outraised the Republican candidates. According to Hunter Woodall and Bryan Lowry of the Kansas City Star, local Republican groups, such as Kansans For Life, were worried that Davis could win.[6]

"[The] district needs to be taken seriously by Republicans or they will end up with a supporter of Nancy Pelosi’s liberal agenda representing Kansas in Congress," said Congressional Leadership Fund executive director Corry Bliss.[7]

Incumbent Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R) did not seek re-election, leaving this typically safe red seat—Trump won the district by a margin of 19 points—open.[6][3] [2] For more on related elections, please see:

Election results

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Kansas District 2

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Steve Watkins
Steve Watkins
 
26.5
 
20,052
Image of Caryn Tyson
Caryn Tyson
 
23.5
 
17,749
Image of Kevin Jones
Kevin Jones
 
14.8
 
11,201
Image of Steve Fitzgerald
Steve Fitzgerald
 
12.2
 
9,227
Image of Dennis Pyle
Dennis Pyle
 
12.1
 
9,126
Image of Doug Mays
Doug Mays
 
8.2
 
6,221
Image of Vernon Fields
Vernon Fields
 
2.6
 
1,987

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 75,563
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates


Top candidates

The candidates below either led in polls, received support from U.S. elected officials, or were mentioned by media coverage as top contenders. They are listed in alphabetical order.

Republican Party Steve Fitzgerald (R)

Steve Fitzgerald.jpg

Campaign website Facebook Twitter

Fitzgerald was first elected to the state Senate in 2012, representing District 5. He served in the Army for two decades, including tours in Vietnam, Germany, and Grenada, and retired as a lieutenant colonel. In the private sector, Fitzgerald ran an executive recruiting business for 11 years.[8]

"I am running to help implement the agenda that the American people approved in 2016. The United States must rebuild our military to restore American security and we must continue to grow our economy to ensure a secure and prosperous future for America," Fitzgerald said of his candidacy.[9]

On his campaign website, Fitzgerald highlighted maintaining proper forces for national security, reducing regulations for business owners, and supporting the Fair Tax as some of his policy priorities.[10]

Republican Party Caryn Tyson (R)

Caryn Tyson.jpg

Campaign website Facebook Twitter

Tyson was first elected to the state House in 2010 and state Senate in 2012. Her professional experience includes working in the IT industry, providing space shuttle support for NASA, and operating a cattle ranch She earned a master's degree in engineering management from Kansas University.[11]

“Kansans want real results in Washington and leadership that reflects their values. My real-world experience and problem-solving skills in technology, business, and agriculture are needed in Congress now more than ever," Tyson said in a statement.[12]

She listed supporting anti-abortion policies—including defunding Planned Parenthood and prohibiting medical facilities and doctors from referring patients to get abortions—and combating illegal immigration as some of her policy priorities.[13]

Republican Party Steve Watkins (R)

Steve Watkins.png

Campaign website Facebook Twitter

Watkins graduated from West Point and served in the Army, qualifying to be an airborne ranger and deploying to Afghanistan. After his military service, he spent a decade working in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Central Asia as an independent contractor.[14]

"I am running to bring military leadership and Kansas values to Washington, all in an effort to combat the gridlock and hyper-partisanship that has plagued progress for decades," Watkins said in an interview.[15]

He identified on his campaign website supporting anti-abortion legislation and policies for small business owners and replacing the Affordable Care Act with "a patient-centered system that reduces costs, promotes competition, and gives patients more control of their health care."[16]

Candidates

See also: Statistics on U.S. Congress candidates, 2018

Republican Party Republican primary candidates


Did not make the ballot:


Debates and forums

June 27, 2018, forum

Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) and Americans for Prosperity–Kansas hosted a candidate forum on June 27, 2018, where all seven Republican candidates discussed veterans’ healthcare, government spending, and the economy.

  • Find the Kansas City Star's round-up of the candidate forum here.
  • Find the Topeka Capital-Journal's round-up of the candidate forum here.
  • Watch the live stream of the forum on CVA's Facebook page here.

March 14, 2018, debate

Bevens, Fitzgerald, Tanahill, and Tyson participated in a debate at Washburn University on March 14, 2018.

Kentucky's 2nd Congressional District Republican primary debate, March 14, 2018

Campaign themes and policy stances

Campaign themes

These were the policy positions listed on the candidates' websites, if available.

Republican Party Steve Fitzgerald

“

National Security

America’s defense and the safety of our soldiers is of the utmost importance. I served in the US Army for over twenty years from the rank of Private to Lieutenant Colonel. Some of our children deployed to Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo. We must have a clearly defined mission and end state before deploying our sons and daughters. Our forces must be sufficient to deter aggressors and ensure rapid victory should deterrence fail. National Security and the strength of our economy are closely related. Our next congressman must have relevant experience.

Economy

I ran my own business for 11 years. It’s difficult to hire and grow when overburdened with regulation. Reducing regulation grows the economy, providing jobs and prosperity. The way to grow the real economy is to dismantle and limit the bureaucracy, lower taxes, and support our small businesses and farmers. I support the Fair Tax, vehemently oppose retroactive taxes, and will push to end policies destructive to working Kansans.

Life

I am a vocal defender of the unborn, a founding member of the local Kansans for Life chapter, and a repeated denouncer of the Nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood. Paul Davis’ radical anti-family record in the Kansas House make him unfit for office. He voted over 80 times against pro-life legislation, including a vote for sex-selection abortion.

Immigration

The United States has and continues to accept more legal immigrants than any other country in the world. Immigration must be for the betterment of America. Illegal immigration is wrong, detrimental to our security, and destructive of our economy. It is not tolerated anywhere else and it can no longer be tolerated here. Those in this country illegally can and should return to the country of origin and apply for a legal visa. I’ve been personally involved in such cases and believe that while diligently enforcing legal immigration is difficult and inconvenient, it is the right thing to do.


2nd Amendment I’m proud to have been a sponsor of Kansas Senate Bill 45 that resulted in constitutional carry and to be a long-term life member of the NRA. Unfortunately, more work remains to be done as the federal government continues to exercise unwarranted and intrusive powers within the states. We need the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, so your rights are respected across state lines.[17]

”
—Fitzgerald for Congress[18]

Republican Party Kevin Jones

“

SYSTEMIC FEDERAL REFORMS TO CREATE JOBS & JUMPSTART OUR ECONOMY

A. Fiscal Reform – Restore effective fiscal oversight. Federal spending is inefficient and fueled by unsustainable debt. Debt consumes vital resources, weighing on our economy and driving an ever increasing tax burden. Spending, debt and taxes must all be reined in to unleash the full potential of our economy to create needed jobs.

B. Regulatory Reform – Reform mandates affecting both the private sector and state governance to relieve excessive regulatory and financial burdens on our families, businesses, and local economies.

C. Healthcare Reform – Recognize that insurance coverage is not healthcare. Affordability of actual care must be tackled to reduce the inflationary drivers of healthcare. Affordable delivery of care is critical to all, but is acutely critical to sustaining accessible rural healthcare.

NATIONAL SECURITY

Ensuring funding for a strong military must be a top priority, along with restoring the lost tactical leadership resulting from the Obama Administration’s purge of combat experienced officers and frontline soldiers. Our border defenses, whether a wall or other substantial deterrent, must be implemented to stop the flow into our country of illegal immigration and illegal commerce.

TACKLING THE SPREAD OF DRUG ABUSE AND OPIOID ADDICTION

In Kansas, 300 lives are lost annually to overdose of opioids. The ready availability of opioids is a function of failed regulatory and law enforcement. Greater oversight is needed to ensure programs like Medicaid are not abused to subsidize the flow of narcotics. And, law enforcement must be empowered to do its job to apprehend and prosecute those engaged in narcotic trafficking and illegal distribution.[17]

”
—Jones for Congress[19]

Republican Party Dennis Pyle

“

Family Values As a legislator and father of six children, Dennis Pyle’s voting record is 100% pro-life. He is a leader in the fight to protect the unborn. He co-sponsored bills against human cloning and embryonic research. Dennis supports parental consent and requiring abortion facilities to provide women with accurate information about the serious health risks related to the procedure. As a co-sponsor of the Marriage Amendment and having been married to his wife Jennifer for 38 years; Dennis believes that marriage – between one man and one woman- is a sacred institution. He will continue to work to preserve the traditional definition of marriage and other family values.

2nd Amendment

Dennis Pyle enjoys hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor activities. He and his family have hunted white tail deer, pheasants, and quail. With his help, five of his daughters have tagged their first deer. From a personal perspective and a constitutional one, Dennis is and has always been a strong advocate for second amendment rights. His record earned him an “A+” rating with both the Sportsman’s Alliance and the NRA. Pyle was a key supporter for Kansas’ concealed carry laws. In 2000 he received special distinction being nominated to the NRA Millennium Honor Roll.

Entitlements

Not only is our current entitlement system unsustainable, it is the single largest driver of our nation’s debt and must be reformed immediately. Promises should be kept. To keep these promises different promises must be made for people age 40 and younger, by moving retirement age gradually up as average length of life increases and working a little longer. These changes make the failure of these programs less likely. Repeal of Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act) is necessary.

Term Limits

Accountability to constituents rather than lobbyists and bureaucrats is necessary to limited government. Term limits equally applied will not solve all the ills of Congress but will bring needed reform and guarantee a citizen legislature. The president is limited to 2 terms (8 years). 4 House (8 years) and 2 Senate (12 years) terms would be a great limit on the power of these offices.

Budget and Spending

Due to the size of federal government many of its activities are not understood and are beyond the knowledge of its citizens. It is imperative this be addressed and that the nation’s finances be immediately put in order. Difficult decisions cannot be delayed. Congress must pass a Balanced Budget Amendment, identify budget reductions, rein in entitlement spending, and eliminate duplicitous federal programs.

Free Trade and Regulation

Limited government means less interference from government, greater economic opportunity and freedom. When government hinders the free flow of goods and services it ends up choosing winners and losers. Regulatory costs of paperwork hamper innovation and raise costs, creating hidden taxes and creating a productive burden. Having freedom to produce, buy and sell is a win-win. Therefore, regulatory reform is a priority as is strengthening regulatory review processes. Following these principles of limited government means we will lead in technology, energy, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Taxes

Tax policy goals should be raising the amount of revenue needed to legitimately fund necessary functions of government, while neither damaging nor inhibiting the economic freedom and liberty of taxpayers. Dennis stood and voted against- the Graves tax increase in 2002 (SB 39, HJ May 16, 2002 pg 2767-2768, raised cigarette, sales, corporate franchise, inheritance, and more), the Parkinson tax in 2010 (SJ May 6,2010 pg 1536-1537 raised sales tax for 3 years), the Brownback tax hikes in 2013 (HB 2059 SJ March 13, 2013 pg 272-273, CCR 2059 SJ pg 1035-1036 made 2010 sales tax increase permanent, lowered the standard deduction, took away mortgage, healthcare, and property deductions, and more) and 2015 (HB 2109 SJ July 7, 2015 pg 1224 raised sales tax and more), and most recently SB 30, the 2017 retroactive tax (SJ June 5, 2017 pg 979 raised income tax retroactively and other) unfortunately others did not stand nor vote against these tax and spend measures!

Immigration

Our borders need to be secured today–we need to build the wall now. Those who violate the law should not be rewarded by granting them amnesty. They are costing U.S. citizen taxpayers, creating economic problems, and are a threat to our national security. Legal immigrants who take the steps to abide by our laws should not be mocked by those who are here illegally.

Veteran Affairs

As the grandson of a WWI Army veteran and the son of a WWII Army veteran, Dennis Pyle knows that we have a responsibility to every man and woman, who lived, worked, fought, and died to secure the freedom we enjoy. It’s a responsibility that affects the way we raise our families, the way we work, even the way we vote. Our Veterans are owed a debt we can never fully repay.

Homeland Security

Dennis Pyle is committed to defending our nation from all threats to its security. Pyle is a strong supporter of National Defense and prefers to engage our enemies in their homelands not ours. During his time in office, Dennis introduced a bill calling for the formation and training of a voluntary state defense force for emergency preparedness purposes.[17]

”
—Pyle for Congress[20]

Republican Party Caryn Tyson

“

America First

As a small business owner and a software engineer, Caryn knows firsthand the problems that Kansans face each and every day and that is why she supports President Trump’s America First agenda.

It’s time to drain the swamp and get rid of the career politicians that put special interests above American interests.

That’s why she is running to represent the people of Kansas’ 2nd District. She wants to go to Washington to replace Obamacare, secure our borders, cut wasteful spending, and promote true conservative values.

Pro-Life

Caryn is 100% pro-life. She believes that life is sacred and deserving of our protection, which is why Caryn is so committed to protecting the life and the rights of the unborn and elderly.

As a Kansas state senator, Caryn has propelled the pro-life movement further by fighting against the use of taxpayer money to fund abortions at Planned Parenthood. She has introduced legislation to end brutal dismemberment abortions, and she has supported legislation that prohibits medical facilities and doctors from referring patients to get abortions.

Protecting the unborn and elderly is a top priority for Caryn and she is determined to advocate for life at a national level. Caryn has been endorsed by the Susan B. Anthony List.

Illegal Immigration

Our country has always been and still is a nation of immigrants—legal immigrants. Caryn understands that immigration is vital to our country, but immigrants must enter our country legally.

It is not fair to our citizens or legal immigrants that illegal immigrants reap the benefits of our hardworking citizens. While Washington, DC still won’t take action, Caryn passed into law an electronic check for any false information provided on an application for benefits to eliminate fraud and welfare benefits to illegals. Caryn also passed legislation in the Kansas House to end in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants. She takes a strong stance against illegal immigration because it affects every aspect of our nation including our national security.

Agriculture

As a rancher and fifth generation Kansan, Caryn understands the hardships that face farmers and farm families every day. From erratic weather to high taxes and tough environmental regulations, Caryn has dealt with it all.

She also knows that farmers and ranchers from the second district produce food that fills grocery stores around the world. Therefore, it is crucial to Caryn that government not get in the way of farmers and ranchers. After all, agriculture is responsible for 1 in 5 jobs in the state of Kansas.

Taxes

Caryn has a proven track-record of working to cut taxes. This year, she helped pass a major tax overhaul in the Kansas State Senate that would stop another major tax increase. She has repeatedly opposed legislation to raise taxes, and she will do the same thing when she is in Washington.

As a small business owner and rancher, Caryn, like most Kansans, knows what it means to live on a budget and she believes the government should too. In Congress, she will fight back against Washington’s out of control wasteful spending and work to reduce our national debt.

Fiscal Responsibility

As a space-shuttle engineer with NASA, Caryn learned first-hand what government waste looks like. This motivated her to become involved in government because she wanted to find better economic spending solutions and reduce our growing debt.

Caryn knows that strong budgets and less government spending would enable the government to cut taxes and give the money back to the people. Getting money back to the hard-working men and women that earn it is a top concern for Caryn.

She has a proven record in the Kansas legislature for fighting waste and abuse. While many people talk about cutting wasteful spending, Caryn saved tax payers millions of dollars by finding and addressing overcharges and inflated rates being paid by some agencies. Caryn doesn’t just complain, she takes action to get results.

Economy & Jobs

Caryn understands that the key to a strong economy is to create jobs and to cut useless regulations. She hates that government has weaseled its way into every aspect of our lives and it is her mission to get them out.

As a small business owner, Caryn knows the hardships imposed by burdensome federal regulations and she will fight to remove these obstacles and get Americans working again.

Education

Caryn knows how vital education is to the future of our children and to the economic well-being of our country. Growing up in Kansas public schools and earning degrees from both Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, Caryn knows both the challenges and the great resources available to Kansans. This is why making sure that all children in both rural and urban communities have access to a high-quality education is so important to her.

She also understands that education must be affordable. She will fight to ensure that students who work hard can afford quality education.

Energy

Caryn will put America first when it comes to our energy issues. She will focus on increasing our domestic energy production and finding alternative solutions to our energy crisis. She will ensure that we are responsible with our use of natural resources, so that we are proactively addressing our energy crisis every step of the way.

Liberty

Caryn is a strong defender of liberty and believes that government should not infringe on any of our constitutional rights. Our constitution is what our country was founded on and we will not ignore it in favor of radical personal agendas.

Recently, our first amendment and second amendment rights have been under attack. Caryn will not allow this. She will go to Washington and defend our first and second amendment rights and will oppose any legislation that threatens to remove these rights.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs are out of control and we know that healthcare is not a one-size-fits-all program. Therefore, Caryn wants to ensure that healthcare decisions are in the hands of the people— not the government. Government should not be able to dictate healthcare options to the individual because government does not belong in the conversations between you and your doctor.

She will work to replace the disastrous Obamacare with common-sense solutions that will lower costs, increase healthcare quality, and increase access to healthcare.

Veterans & Military Families

Each day, those in our military dedicate their lives to protecting our freedom. The sacrifices made by these men and women is something that we can never repay, and they deserve better treatment when they return home.

Caryn will do everything she can to support not only our men and women in uniform but also their families who sacrifice so much as well. It’s time to start taking care of our military and veterans the right way by providing them with quality healthcare and the resources they need when they return home.[17]

”
—Tyson for Congress[21]

Republican Party Steve Watkins

“

Kansas First

Putting the needs of Kansans first doesn't mean isolating ourselves from the world. It means that our people, economy, and safety are the foundation upon which we built a global presence.

I’m proud that America is a global leader, but our domestic issues must take priority. Furthermore, as your representative in Washington, I will put my constituents first and fight tirelessly to deliver better opportunities and a better quality of life for all Kansans.

The Economy & Jobs

Washington’s troubled history of implementing burdensome regulations has restricted small business owners’ ability to create jobs and help grow our Kansas economy. As a former small business owner, I know firsthand the difficulties Kansas entrepreneurs face on a regular basis.

Most importantly, I know what needs to be done to ensure our workforce has the skills necessary to meet the jobs of tomorrow . I am going to fight each and every day to support pro-job policies in Washington that will help small businesses grow, create more jobs, and expand our economy in Kansas.

Pro-Life Conservative

I am pro-life. Today in America, the sanctity of life is rarely valued. As a lifelong conservative, I am and always have been fully dedicated to protecting life at all cost. As Americans we must lead by example, life is sacred and protecting the unborn is a duty we must all uphold. Long ago, I signed the National Right To Life Pledge, to never vote for pro-choice legislation and that is a promise I will uphold in Washington. The Democrats might have a pro-choice agenda in mind, what I say is - Not on my watch.

As a small business owner and private citizen, I’ve seen the fundamental failures of Obamacare and the strain it has left on citizens across Kansas. The Obama Administration believed more government would fix our health care industry. Instead, the Affordable Care Act was anything but affordable, and left Americans with skyrocketing premiums, fewer choices, and a lower quality of care. More government is never the solution.

I believe Congress now has a responsibility to end the crippling ACA tax mandates and work together to replace Obamacare with a patient-centered system that reduces costs, promotes competition, and gives patients more control of their health care.

America Safe

Our military men and women are fighting all across the globe to defend our freedoms and preserve our American way of life. Here at home, it is critically important that our Federal Government recognizes the current threats facing our nation and the threats of our future. Congress must never fail to deliver the resources our military needs to defend our shores.

It is also important we understand that keeping America safe does not stop at global terrorism. Our government has an obligation to secure our borders, stop illegal immigration, and protect communities from violent transnational gangs that have no place in our society. In Washington, I will continue to keep America and Kansans safe by advocating and supporting policies that will put our military and law enforcement in a position to achieve nothing less than a complete victory—regardless of the challenges we will face as a nation.

U.S. Constitution

As an American citizen, I am a firm believer in all of our Constitutional freedoms—and that includes the Second Amendment. The law-abiding gun owners of Kansas understand the tremendous responsibility that comes with carrying a firearm. Above all else, we must remain vigilant, maintain our safety, and the safety of those around us.

The sportsmen and women of Kansas can rest assured, as a lifelong gun owner and veteran, I will stand against any attempt to misconstrue or misinterpret any of our Constitutional freedoms.

Seniors

We cannot turn our backs on the millions of seniors enrolled in Social Security or Medicare programs. Seniors in Kansas who have spent their entire lives contributing to these programs and our nation’s economy deserve to know their hard work will help them retire.

In order to save these programs and protect our seniors here in Kansas, one must be willing to work across the aisle to find solutions that will save and secure these programs for our children and grandchildren, as well as for our parents and grandparents. I fully recognize the need to preserve Social Security and Medicare and I will do what is necessary to ensure all seniors in Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District will have access to the benefits and resources they deserve.

Delivering Results

Election cycle after election cycle, candidates promise us results but fail to deliver when they get to Washington. I am not interested in going to Washington to contribute to the same rigged-system that has failed Kansans and our nation for decades. My top priority will be representing your best interests and fighting for a smaller government, one that holds itself accountable and does not get in its own way.

Our Veterans

Serving our great nation in the U.S. Army for 10 years was, and will always be, my greatest privilege. Now, it would be my privilege to serve our nation’s veterans in Washington. First and foremost, the Federal Government must be willing to do what is necessary to restore accountability throughout all levels of the Department of Veterans Affairs so all veterans will be able to access the health care and the resources they deserve.

Our military men and women should be able to return home to a VA that respects their service and provides them with the care and support they deserve.

'National Debt Our nation’s national debt continues to grow by the second. Our children and grandchildren should not be left with a $20 trillion debt burden because our Federal Government could not practice fiscal discipline. Kansans deserve a representative in Congress that will use their hard earned tax dollars wisely and support common-sense policies that improves our current quality of life without ruining the quality of life for future generations by excessive debt.[17]

”
—Steve for Kansas[22]

Campaign finance

The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.


Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Paul Davis Democratic Party $3,985,403 $3,954,361 $31,166 As of December 31, 2018
Vernon Fields Republican Party $29,168 $19,232 $8,610 As of September 30, 2018
Steve Fitzgerald Republican Party $493,480 $470,455 $9,105 As of December 14, 2018
Kevin Jones Republican Party $135,031 $135,041 $0 As of December 31, 2018
Doug Mays Republican Party $153,165 $153,165 $0 As of August 21, 2018
Dennis Pyle Republican Party $149,877 $149,877 $0 As of October 15, 2018
Caryn Tyson Republican Party $629,705 $326,067 $303,638 As of December 31, 2018
Steve Watkins Republican Party $1,257,753 $1,223,163 $34,590 As of December 31, 2018
Kelly Standley Libertarian Party $0 $0 $0 As of April 1, 2018

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2018. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.


Satellite spending

  • Kansans Can Do Anything, a group funded by Steve Watkins' father, spent $469,000 on the race to support Watkins through July 2018.[23]

Endorsements

The table below summarizes the endorsements Ballotpedia identified for Republican candidates in the primary for Kansas' 2nd Congressional District.

Republican candidate endorsements
Endorsement Fields Fitzgerald Jones Mays Pyle Tyson Watkins
Federal officials
Rep. Roger Marshall[25] ✔
Organizations
Kansans for Life[26] ✔ ✔ ✔
Kansas Farm Bureau[27] ✔
With Honor PAC[28] ✔
Susan B. Anthony List[29] ✔

Race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Race ratings: Kansas' 2nd Congressional District election, 2018
Race tracker Race ratings
October 30, 2018 October 23, 2018October 16, 2018October 9, 2018
The Cook Political Report Toss-up Toss-upToss-upToss-up
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales Toss-up Toss-upToss-upToss-up
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball Toss-up Toss-upToss-upToss-up
Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every two weeks throughout the election season.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+10, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 10 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Kansas' 2nd Congressional District the 134th most Republican nationally.[30]

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.96. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.96 points toward that party.[31]

Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

There are no Pivot Counties in Kansas. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) won Kansas with 56.7 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton (D) received 36.1 percent. In presidential elections between 1864 and 2016, Kansas voted Republican 84.21 percent of the time and Democratic 15.78 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Kansas voted Republican all five times.[32]

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Kansas. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[33][34]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 29 out of 125 state House districts in Kansas with an average margin of victory of 21.8 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 34 out of 125 state House districts in Kansas with an average margin of victory of 20.9 points. Clinton won six districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 96 out of 125 state House districts in Kansas with an average margin of victory of 32.8 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 91 out of 125 state House districts in Kansas with an average margin of victory of 35.5 points. Trump won 11 districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.


State overview

Partisan control

This section details the partisan control of federal and state positions in Kansas heading into the 2018 elections.

Congressional delegation

State executives

State legislature

Republicans controlled both chambers of the Kansas State Legislature. They had a 85-40 majority in the state House and a 30-9 majority in the state Senate.

Trifecta status

  • Kansas had a Republican trifecta, meaning that the Republican Party controlled both chambers of the state legislature and the governorship. Jeff Colyer served as governor; he succeeded Sam Brownback, who left office in January 2018 after being appointed ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom by Pres. Donald Trump.

2018 elections

See also: Kansas elections, 2018

Kansas held elections for the following positions in 2018:

Demographics

Demographic data for Kansas
 KansasU.S.
Total population:2,906,721316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):81,7593,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:85.2%73.6%
Black/African American:5.8%12.6%
Asian:2.6%5.1%
Native American:0.8%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0.1%0.2%
Two or more:3.3%3%
Hispanic/Latino:11.2%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:90.2%86.7%
College graduation rate:31%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$52,205$53,889
Persons below poverty level:15%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Kansas.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

As of July 2016, Kansas' three largest cities were Wichita (pop. est. 390,000), Overland Park (pop. est. 190,000), and Kansas City (pop. est. 150,000).[35]

State election history

This section provides an overview of federal and state elections in Kansas from 2000 to 2016. All data comes from the Kansas Secretary of State.

Historical elections

Presidential elections

This chart shows the results of the presidential election in Kansas every year from 2000 to 2016.

Election results (President of the United States), Kansas 2000-2016
Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
2016 Republican Party Donald Trump 56.6% Democratic Party Hillary Clinton 36.0% 20.6%
2012 Republican Party Mitt Romney 59.7% Democratic Party Barack Obama 37.9% 21.8%
2008 Republican Party John McCain 56.6% Democratic Party Barack Obama 41.6% 15.0%
2004 Republican Party George W. Bush 62.0% Democratic Party John Kerry 36.6% 25.4%
2000 Republican Party George W. Bush 58.0% Democratic Party Al Gore 37.2% 20.8%

U.S. Senate elections, 2000-2016

This chart shows the results of U.S. Senate races in Kansas from 2000 to 2016. Every state has two Senate seats, and each seat goes up for election every six years. The terms of the seats are staggered so that roughly one-third of the seats are up every two years.

Election results (U.S. Senator), Kansas 2000-2016
Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
2016 Republican Party Jerry Moran 62.1% Democratic Party Patrick Wiesner 32.2% 29.9%
2014 Republican Party Pat Roberts 53.1% Grey.png Greg Orman 42.5% 10.6%
2010 Republican Party Jerry Moran 70.0% Democratic Party Lisa Johnston 26.3% 43.7%
2008 Republican Party Pat Roberts 60.0% Democratic Party Jim Slattery 36.4% 23.6%
2004 Republican Party Sam Brownback 69.1% Democratic Party Lee Jones 27.4% 41.7%
2002 Republican Party Pat Roberts 82.5% Libertarian Party Steven Rosile 9.1% 73.4%

Gubernatorial elections, 2000-2016

This chart shows the results of the four gubernatorial elections held between 2000 and 2016. Gubernatorial elections are held every four years in Kansas.

Election results (Governor), Kansas 2000-2016
Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
2014 Republican Party Sam Brownback 49.8% Democratic Party Paul Davis 46.1% 3.7%
2010 Republican Party Sam Brownback 63.2% Democratic Party Tom Holland 32.2% 31.0%
2006 Democratic Party Kathleen Sebelius 57.9% Republican Party Jim Barnett 40.4% 17.5%
2002 Democratic Party Kathleen Sebelius 52.9% Republican Party Tim Shallenburger 45.1% 7.8%

Congressional delegation, 2000-2016

This chart shows the number of Democrats and Republicans who were elected to represent Kansas in the U.S. House from 2000 to 2016. Elections for U.S. House seats are held every two years.

Congressional delegation, Kansas 2000-2016
Year Republicans Republicans (%) Democrats Democrats (%) Balance of power
2016 Republican Party 4 100% Democratic Party 0 0% R+4
2014 Republican Party 4 100% Democratic Party 0 0% R+4
2012 Republican Party 4 100% Democratic Party 0 0% R+4
2010 Republican Party 4 100% Democratic Party 0 0% R+4
2008 Republican Party 3 75.0% Democratic Party 1 25.0% R+3
2006 Republican Party 2 50.0% Democratic Party 2 50.0% Split
2004 Republican Party 3 75.0% Democratic Party 1 25.0% R+3
2002 Republican Party 3 75.0% Democratic Party 1 25.0% R+3
2000 Republican Party 3 75.0% Democratic Party 1 25.0% R+3

Trifectas, 1992-2017

A state government trifecta occurs when one party controls both chambers of the state legislature and the governor's office.

Kansas Party Control: 1992-2025
No Democratic trifectas  •  Sixteen years of Republican trifectas

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor D D D R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D
Senate R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
House D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ FEC, "Watkins, Steve," accessed August 8, 2018
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kansas City Star, "‘His social views were liberal.’ Candidate met with Dems before launching GOP run," July 13, 2018
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 FEC, "Kansas - House District 2," accessed August 8, 2018
  4. ↑ KCUR, "Without Heavyweight, GOP Could Lose Kansas 2nd Congressional District," June 5, 2018
  5. ↑ Topeka Capital-Journal, "Kansas Democrat Paul Davis leads all 2nd District candidates in campaign donations," July 16, 2018
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kansas City, "‘He’s ahead. Wake up.’ Kansas Republicans fear defeat in 2018 congressional race," March 15, 2018
  7. ↑ Kansas City Star, "‘He’s ahead. Wake up.’ Kansas Republicans fear defeat in 2018 congressional race," March 15, 2018
  8. ↑ Fitzgerald for Congress, "About Steve," accessed July 19, 2018
  9. ↑ Topeka Capital-Journal, "U.S. House — 2nd District: Steve Fitzgerald," July 14, 2018
  10. ↑ Fitzgerald for Congress, "Issues," accessed July 19, 2018
  11. ↑ Tyson for Congress, "About Caryn," accessed July 19, 2018
  12. ↑ Tyson for Congress, "State Senator Caryn Tyson Announces Her Candidacy for Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District," August 24, 2017
  13. ↑ Tyson for Congress, "Issues," accessed July 19, 2018
  14. ↑ Steve for Kansas, "About," accessed July 19, 2018
  15. ↑ Topeka Capital-Journal, "U.S. House — 2nd District: Steve Watkins," July 14, 2018
  16. ↑ Steve for Kansas, "Economy and Jobs," accessed July 19, 2018
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  18. ↑ Fitzgerald for Congress, "Issues," accessed June 15, 2018
  19. ↑ Jones for Congress, "Priorities," accessed June 15, 2018
  20. ↑ Pyle for Congress, "Issues," accessed June 15, 2018
  21. ↑ Tyson for Congress, "Issues," accessed June 15, 2018
  22. ↑ Steve for Kansas, "Issues," accessed August 6, 2018
  23. ↑ Dad’s super PAC injects $400,000 into new ads for son’s 2nd District congressional campaign," July 30, 2018
  24. ↑ FEC, "FILING FEC-1253941," accessed August 6, 2018
  25. ↑ The Charlotte Observer, "Freshman Rep. Marshall endorses Watkins in Kansas 2nd race," accessed August 1, 2018
  26. ↑ Kansas City Star, "Newcomer Watkins faces Republican backlash in Kansas’ 2nd District congressional race," August 2, 2018
  27. ↑ Kansas Farm Bureau, "Kansas Farm Bureau Announces Endorsements, Snubs Marshall," July 6, 2018
  28. ↑ Baldwin City Gazette, "Steve Watkins Endorsed by With Honor PAC," June 3, 2018
  29. ↑ Susan B. Anthony List, "Nat’l Pro-life Group Endorses Caryn Tyson for KS-02 Open Seat," January 30, 2018
  30. ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  31. ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
  32. ↑ 270towin.com, "Kansas," accessed June 1, 2017
  33. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  34. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
  35. ↑ Kansas Demographics, "Kansas Cities by Population," accessed September 4, 2018


Kansas' current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Roger Marshall (R)
Jerry Moran (R)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
Ron Estes (R)
Republican Party (5)
Democratic Party (1)


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