Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt has announced she will run for governor in the 2026 election. Schmidt, a lifelong Republican, brings a diverse background to the race, including more than 40 years as a pharmacist and 14 years in the Kansas Senate representing Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties.
Schmidt was first elected as Kansas Insurance Commissioner in 2018 and won re-election in 2022 with the highest vote total among all statewide candidates. She is also notable for being the only pharmacist in the U.S. currently holding a statewide elected office. During her time as insurance commissioner, Schmidt highlighted achievements such as recovering $145 million for Kansas families and cutting business costs by over $75 million.
At 69 years old, Schmidt has faced personal challenges as well. Last year, she underwent breast cancer surgery and radiation treatments. In October 2023, she announced that she is now cancer-free.
She is one of at least seven Republicans expected to run for governor in 2026, setting up a competitive primary for the party’s nomination. Schmidt’s experience in healthcare, state government, and insurance regulation could offer a distinctive perspective as the race unfolds.