photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

The Douglas County elections office at 711 W. 23rd St. is pictured Monday, Oct. 31, 2022.

An incumbent U.S. representative faces a primary challenger as the two candidates compete for the opportunity to advance to the general election and represent Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District.

U.S. Representative Derek Schmidt, a Republican, is seeking reelection, and will be facing off against Republican candidate Chad Young in the primary. Whoever wins in the primary will compete against Democratic candidate Don Coover in the general election.

Kansas is divided into four congressional districts, and Districts 1 and 2 are up for election this year. Congressional District 2 includes a majority of Douglas County, while the city of Lawrence is primarily within District 1’s boundary. That means some Douglas County voters will vote for who they want to represent them in the U.S. House District 1, while others will vote for District 2.

Derek Schmidt

DEREK SCHMIDT

The Journal-World reached out to Schmidt for participation in the Primary Voter’s Guide, but did not receive a response.

Before being elected to Congress in 2025, Schmidt served 12 years as Kansas Attorney General, and he has argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Schmidt graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and has a master’s degree in international politics from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, a law degree from Georgetown University in Washington D.C., and a doctorate in law from KU.

According to Schmidt’s campaign website, he has prioritized border security, curbing runaway federal spending, extending tax relief to families, and leading legislation to support victims of violent crime.

Chad Young

CHAD YOUNG

Young started a nonprofit organization for troubled youth and young adults – called Life Skills Programs – and it offers boxing and self defense classes. In addition, Young said he has worked with the courts to help people get their community service hours, offered the GED program, anger management and life skills.

“For many years I’ve worked in the communities that needed help,” Young said.

In an effort to make groceries, housing and healthcare more affordable, Young said he would like to “abolish taxation to free up extra money for the families.”

An issue Young would like to address if he’s elected is to build transparency with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and advocate for a bill that would make it illegal to sell ultra-processed foods.