Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab announced Wednesday he will seek the Republican nomination for governor in next year’s election cycle. The Great Bend native is serving his second term as secretary of state and previously served seven terms in the Kansas House.

Kansas Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab has announced he is running for governor in 2026, making him the first candidate to declare.

TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) - Scott Schwab is throwing his hat into the race for Governor of Kansas in 2026. Schwab, originally from Great Bend, served two terms as Kansas Secretary of State in 2018 and 2022. “I have a proven conservative record,” Schwab said.

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab on Wednesday launched a bid to become governor, making him the first major candidate to enter the 2026 field. The Overland Park Republican announced his candidacy in a press release and video posted to his rebranded campaign website.

The top elections official in Kansas is running for governor after building his public profile by pushing back against unfounded election conspiracy theories and breaking with fellow Republicans on voting rights issues.

The Great Bend, Kansas, native is currently serving his second term as the state's top election official. If elected in 2026, Schwab said he would work to lower property taxes and help rural communities that are falling behind.