Fact-checking the property tax ads in Kansas’ governor race

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - One of the biggest issues in Kansas for the 2026 general election is property taxes.

Voters may have seen ads for gubernatorial candidates Ty Masterson and Cindy Holscher, with each ad claiming one candidate will cut property taxes, and the other will make it worse.

Michael Smith, a political science professor, explains that candidates make ads like these to manipulate your vote. Both candidates promise to deliver what you want, and both candidates say the other won’t fulfill their promises. It can be difficult to cut through the noise. The real answer is somewhere in the middle.

“Taking what goes on in the legislature and turning it into campaign ads can be very actively misleading,” Smith said.

Both candidates discussed property taxes during their debate at the Kansas State Fair.

“She voted against property tax relief,” Masterson said.

“He had twenty years to solve the issue,” Holscher said.

One of the political ads cites Holscher’s voting record, saying that she voted against cutting property taxes. It’s citing a bill passed in 2021. That bill established Revenue Neutral Rate in Kansas.

Masterson did vote for the bill, and Holscher did vote against it.

However, Sedgwick County Commissioner Jim Howell says it’s not accurate for the ad to call the bill ‘property tax relief.’

“It didn’t change how we do anything here in Sedgwick County,” Howell said.

Howell said he doesn’t agree with Masterson’s plan to cap property valuations, but he says that at least the Republicans have a plan.

Smith agrees.

“I’d like to see Holscher release her own property tax plan,” Smith said.

Smith also added a tip for if you’re having a hard time figuring out which ads are telling the truth.

“Look at their overall record, on taxes or schools or highways - whatever is most important to you,” Smith said. “Not just that they voted against one bill.”

During the past year’s legislative session, Masterson attempted to pass a bill that would have put a 3% cap on property valuations. That bill failed.

Holscher voted against that bill, saying it would have raised taxes on homes that otherwise would not have seen an increase.