NBC and CNN are calling the Kansas gubernatorial election for Democratic incumbent Laura Kelly. Kelly won reelection with 49.2% of the vote, defeating Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.
Despite Kansas' status as a reliably red state, it has a history of electing Democratic governors.
State Sen. Dennis Pyle, an independent candidate who left the Republican Party this year, received 2% of the vote.
The Kansas City Star has more:
Pyle had more than 19,000 votes as of Wednesday morning, a total that was larger than Kelly's lead over Schmidt of less than 15,000. On top of Pyle, Libertarian Seth Cordell garnered nearly 11,000 votes.
The independent and third party candidates may have doomed Republicans' chances at retaking the governor's mansion. Kansas Republican state chair Mike Kuckelman was castigating Pyle as Schmidt and Kelly left their election night parties without a clear winner.
A point of comparison will be the race for attorney general in which Kelly's 2018 opponent, former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach held a lead of roughly 23,000 over Democrat Chris Mann in a head-to-head matchup that did not feature any other contenders.
Meanwhile, redistricting didn't cost Kansas' lone Democrat in Congress her seat. Despite Kansas' redrawn 3rd District leaning slightly to the right, Sharice Davids prevailed against Republican Amanda Adkins. Davids made preserving abortion rights a hallmark of her campaign.
It was a message that resonated with voters in the Kansas City suburbs.
This story is developing. Stay with American Liberty News for the latest updates.
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Maybe ID some states to write as Blue??
Unless from now to 2024 events Really make Red Wave possible
Toto, I think we’re not in Kansas anymore!