Here are the winners of the Kansas State Board of Education Republican primaries

August 5, 2026 - 18:14

Voters across large portions of Kansas have made their choices in the Republican primaries for the State Board of Education, setting up the matchups for the November general election. The outcomes were decided in Johnson and Miami counties, as well as in significant areas of northern, western, and southeastern Kansas, where Republican candidates were selected to advance.

The primary results narrow the field for several contested seats on the board, which oversees K-12 education policy, curriculum standards, and school funding allocations across the state. With the general election still months away, the winning candidates now shift their focus to broader voter outreach beyond the primary electorate.

In Johnson County, a key battleground for education policy given its large school districts, the Republican race drew notable attention. The winner there will face a Democratic opponent in the fall, with education funding and local control likely to be central issues. Similarly, in the sprawling districts covering western and northern Kansas, where rural schools face unique challenges like declining enrollment and teacher shortages, the primary winners will carry the party's banner into the general election.

The southeastern Kansas races also produced clear frontrunners, with candidates emphasizing conservative approaches to curriculum and parental involvement. Turnout in these primaries appeared consistent with recent midterm cycles, though final numbers are still being tabulated.

With the primaries concluded, the focus now turns to the November ballot, where control of the State Board of Education could shift depending on the outcomes in these key regions. Both parties are expected to ramp up campaigning in the coming weeks, particularly in the suburban and rural districts that often decide close races.