Jeff Colyer
Republican candidate for Governor in Kansas
Kansas Republican Governor nominee?
$180.2K
AUG 11, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — Kansas Republican Governor nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0%chance to win
$180.2KAUG 11, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleFormer Governor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age66 years old (Jun 3, 1960)
GenderMale
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LocationKansas
BackgroundPhysician
EducationGeorgetown University — B.A. (Economics; pre-med coursework)
Notable personal detailsJeffrey William Colyer is an American surgeon and Republican politician who served as the 47th governor of Kansas from January 31, 2018 to January 14, 2019, after previously serving as the state’s lieutenant governor. He has also served in the Kansas House of Representatives and the Kansas Senate. Colyer is a physician and has been involved in international medical and humanitarian work.
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Jeff Colyer advocates reducing government spending, cutting taxes, and controlling property taxes; he cites privatizing Medicaid and government reorganization as past measures to save money. His campaign emphasizes bolstering small businesses and cutting taxes while promoting fiscal efficiency and reduced government inefficiency. He has supported measures to limit property-tax growth and has described holding the line on taxes as a priority.
Healthcare
Jeff Colyer has opposed the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion in Kansas and led a transformation of the state Medicaid program (KanCare) into a privatized, managed‑care system intended to reduce costs and integrate services. He has described preferring job‑creation and reducing dependency over broadening Medicaid eligibility and emphasizes market-based/managed‑care approaches to Medicaid.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger immigration enforcement and border security measures, opposes in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants and sanctuary cities, and has taken actions against DACA-related policies. Emphasizes deporting undocumented immigrants who are criminals while aligning with President Trump’s immigration approach.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports significant restrictions on abortion and identifies as pro-life, advocating measures to reduce and ultimately end abortions in Kansas. He has supported state laws limiting abortion, opposed court rulings that recognized abortion-related rights under the Kansas Constitution, and proposed a state constitutional amendment to counter those rulings.
Climate & Energy
Supports Kansas oil and gas industry and policies that promote energy production while backing technology-driven emissions reductions such as carbon capture; favors protecting fossil-fuel jobs and state-based economic interests in energy. Positions emphasize energy independence, supporting oil and gas development and market/technology solutions rather than aggressive regulatory emissions targets or Green New Deal–style measures.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports the Second Amendment and has received NRA endorsement and an A rating, while also taking some limited gun-safety actions as governor such as signing a law restricting firearm possession for people with recent misdemeanor domestic violence convictions. Overall public statements and actions show support for gun rights alongside selective regulatory measures.
Latest News
Jeff Colyer is in the news because Kansas is in the middle of its 2026 governor race, with the Republican primary drawing attention and the field still being sorted out. Recent coverage has focused on campaign strategy, including how candidates are positioning themselves around Gov. Laura Kelly’s record and appeal to moderate voters. The race has also been shaped by outside attention, including Donald Trump’s support for Ty Masterson, though the summaries do not report a final result involving Colyer.
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
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