In the race for governor in Kansas, Ty Masterson and Cindy Holscher agree on one thing: the choice could not be clearer.

The two candidates have said so themselves — in interviews and on the debate stage in Hutchinson last month.

Masterson and Holscher are running to succeed Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, who is term-limited. The two state senators advanced to the general election out of a crowded primary with 10 opponents. They now face each other in a race that recent polls have shown to be within a 5-point margin.

Early voting in Lawrence begins Wednesday at the Douglas County Elections Office, 711 W. 23rd St, and will end at noon Nov. 2. Voters must show up in-person and show ID. Eudora, Baldwin City and Lecompton’s in-person early voting locations will open Oct. 24. Lawrence will have three additional locations open for early voting on Oct. 26. More information about polling locations, dates and times is available on the Douglas County elections website, dgcoks.gov/county-clerk/voting-and-elections.

Election Day is Nov. 3, with polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Journal-World reached out to the two candidates and asked them to list their top three issues, qualifications, and what separates them from their opponent.

Below are Masterson’s responses. Holscher did not respond to the questionnaire.

Ty Masterson

Masterson, a Republican from Andover, is a businessman and the president of the Kansas Senate, a position he has held since 2021. He has been a state senator since 2009, representing District 16, and a state representative before that. District 16 covers Butler and Sedgwick counties.

Masterson’s No. 1 priority is lowering property taxes. As governor, he said he will push for the ability of Kansans to vote on a constitutional amendment that caps runaway increases, cap local spending, freeze or reduce property taxes for fixed low-income seniors, and reduce the regulatory costs of housing so more young people can afford a home.

Masterson’s other focus would be on improving educational outcomes for public school students.

Kansas ranks in the bottom half for reading scores for fourth grade students in the nation. A 2024 assessment by the U.S. Department of Education shows that only 28% of fourth graders in Kansas read at grade level — meaning that 72% are below proficiency. That is a slight drop from the state’s score from two years ago.

In math, Kansas sits roughly in the middle of the pack among states for fourth grade scores — which means that about 60% of fourth graders are below proficiency, according to the department of education.

To improve those scores, Masterson said he will ensure that “our outcomes match our investments and our good teachers get the pay they deserve.”

Masterson’s third highest priority is combating waste, fraud and abuse in government. To achieve that, Masterson said that as governor he will hold criminals accountable “so we can put more of your hard-earned money back into your own pockets.”

Masterson attended Kansas State University but left to enter the workforce. As a businessman, he said he knows what it means “to earn a paycheck, stretch a family budget, and sit at the kitchen table making the numbers work.”

Asked about his opponent, Masterson said that the choice between them couldn’t be clearer.

“She has opposed every attempt to lower property taxes, protested law enforcement, voted for transgender surgeries for minors, and wants boys to compete in girls’ sports,” Masterson said. “Even Governor Kelly has stated that Cindy is too extreme for Kansas.”

Kelly endorsed Holscher in August.

Cindy Holscher

Holscher did not provide responses to the Journal-World’s questionnaire.

Her campaign website lists several top priorities, including cutting property taxes, making healthcare affordable and accessible, putting guardrails on data centers and fighting corruption.

Holscher, a Democrat, is a state senator from Overland Park. She grew up on a farm and is the daughter of a union construction worker and an elementary school employee, according to her website. She was elected to the senate in 2020 and served as a state representative for two terms before that.

Holscher previously worked in marketing. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism and political science.