Gubernatorial candidate Ty Masterson confirms plan for fall redistricting session

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson confirmed Tuesday that legislators plan to meet in a special session to consider redrawing the state’s congressional map. Masterson, a Republican candidate for governor, said the session will likely take place this fall, though not this week. Two-thirds of lawmakers must sign off before it can officially happen.

The move follows similar efforts in other states, where legislatures are looking at redistricting to improve Republican representation during the 2026 midterms.

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Political scientist Michael Smith at Emporia State University said the focus in Kansas will likely be on Johnson County, home to Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids. Smith explained that Davids has maintained her seat largely because of concentrated Democratic support in the county.

“The Democratic voting precincts in Johnson County, many of them are more in the interior of the district, along the district’s boundaries with Missouri and with Wyandotte County,” Smith said.

Splitting those precincts, Smith said, would require lawmakers to redraw the district unconventionally, essentially gerrymandering to dilute Democratic votes. That could mean Johnson County voters lose influence if they are divided between multiple congressional districts.

“Johnson County is very worried about losing power and influence, and they have a lot of power and influence,” Smith said. “Throwing the state’s largest county under the bus to get a 4-0 [Republican] map is pretty risky.”

For now, Masterson says the timeline depends on whether lawmakers can rally enough support to call the session.

On Monday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cindy Holscher said in a statement opposing the plan to redraw Kansas’s congressional map. She said the plan has been promoted by Gubernatorial candidates Jeff Colyer, Masterson, and Secretary of State Scott Schwab.

“Let’s be clear: there is no reason to redistrict mid-decade except to rig the system in one party’s favor over another,” Holscher said in the statement. “That’s not democracy. That’s cheating.”

In a response to the plan for redistricting, Schaub said, “Redistricting now has merit.” We have asked for further explanation.