Vicki Schmidt
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 roleOther
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyModerate Republican
Age70 years old (Sep 15, 1955)
GenderFemale
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LocationKansas
BackgroundInsurance commissioner
EducationUniversity of Kansas School of Pharmacy (BS, Pharmacy, 1978)
Notable personal detailsVicki Schmidt is an American politician and pharmacist who has served as the Kansas Insurance Commissioner since 2019, after being elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022. She previously represented the 20th District in the Kansas Senate from 2005 to 2019, including service as Senate Assistant Majority Leader. She earned a BS in Pharmacy from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy and has lived in Topeka for decades with her husband, Michael.
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Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering fees and taxes on businesses and implementing state tax-advantaged savings tools (Insurance Savings Accounts) to reduce costs for Kansans and businesses while opposing actions that would increase revenue collection from insurers. Focuses on reducing regulatory costs and returning or waiving fees to lower the cost of doing business in Kansas.
Healthcare
Vicki Schmidt emphasizes reducing healthcare costs, improving insurance program efficiency, and protecting Medicare for seniors while pursuing state-level reforms to Medicaid program administration. Her public materials highlight recovering state funds from Medicaid-related errors, expanding insurance coverage for specific groups (for example autism services), and a focus on regulatory and administrative fixes rather than proposing major federal-style expansions like Medicare for All. She has described Medicaid expansion as uncertain under federal conditions and framed health policy around 'b
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Vicki Schmidt opposes recognizing a state constitutional right to abortion and supports returning regulation of abortion to the states while backing restrictions on abortion funding and access. She has urged the Kansas Supreme Court to reconsider its 2019 ruling recognizing personal autonomy that includes the decision whether to continue a pregnancy and has said she does not support “abortion on demand.”
Latest News
Vicki Schmidt is in the news as one of seven Republicans running for Kansas governor in the 2026 race. The contest is drawing attention because Democrats are trying to build on Gov. Laura Kelly’s record, while Republicans see Kansas as a strong pickup opportunity. Recent coverage has focused on how GOP candidates, including Schmidt, are positioning themselves ahead of the primary and general election.
Endorsements
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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