Insurance commissioner Vicki Schmidt announces candidacy for governor

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt made it official: she is running for Governor in the 2026 election.

Schmidt announced her campaign Wednesday morning.

Schmidt previously told WIBS that she had a lot of people asking if she would make a gubernatorial run. A video accompanying her announcement makes light of the experience, opening with people in various setting -- from the grocery store to church, even her husband at home -- asking if she is running for governor.

“Throughout my personal and professional career, I have a track record of serving Kansans and actually getting things done,” Schmidt said in a news release. “If elected governor, my top priority is the people of Kansas and making their lives better.”

Schmidt, a Republican, is from Wichita. She’s worked for more than 40 years as a pharmacist.

Schmidt is in her second term as Insurance Commissioner, having been first elected to the post in 2018. Prior to that, served in the Kansas Senate.

Among her accomplishments as Insurance Commissioner, Schmidt touts recovering $145 million for Kansas families, as well as reducing operational costs.

So far, Doug Billings, a Republican, is the only gubernatorial candidate to have officially filed with the Secretary of State’s office. However, several other GOP candidates have announced their intentions to run. The list includes current Secretary of State Scott Schwab; former governor Jeff Colyer; Joy Eakins; Charlotte O’Hara; and Stacy Rogers.

State Sen. Cindy Holscher is the only Democrat to announce her candidacy.

The primary elections for statewide offices are Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026.