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Kansas State Board of Education election, 2020

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Kansas State Board of Education
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Election details
Filing deadline: June 1, 2020
Primary: August 4, 2020
General: November 3, 2020
Pre-election incumbent(s):
Steve Roberts (R) (District 2)
Ann Mah (D) (District 4)
Deena Horst (R) (District 6)
Kathy Busch (R) (District 8)
Jim McNiece (R) (District 10)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voting in Kansas
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2020
Impact of term limits in 2020
State government trifectas
State government triplexes
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020
Kansas
executive elections
State Board of Education (5 seats)

Kansas held an election for five of 10 seats on the state board of education on November 3, 2020. Two races were contested. In District 2, Melanie Haas (D) defeated Benjamin Hodge (R), and in District 8 Betty Arnold (D) defeated incumbent Kathy Busch (R). District 2 incumbent Steve Roberts (R) did not run for re-election, instead running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Kansas.

In July, the Board received attention for its 5-5 vote that invalidated Governor Laura Kelly’s (D) executive order to postpone all Kansas school reopenings until September 9, 2020. Roberts voted to veto the order and Busch voted to uphold it. Leading up to the 2020 election, Republicans had an 8-2 majority on the board.[1]

Roberts defeated Chris Cindric (D) in the 2016 District 2 board of education election 52% to 49%. In 2016 and 2012, Busch ran unopposed in District 8. Across all 10 districts, an incumbent board member had not been defeated in a general election since at least 2012.

According to its website, the Kansas State Board of Education’s general powers include accrediting school systems, the establishment of curriculum standards, certifying teachers and administrators, and generally supervising public schools.[2] Board District 2 includes school districts in part of Johnson County and part of Wyandotte County. Board District 8 includes school districts in part of Sedgwick County and part of Butler County.[3]

Election procedure changes in 2020

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.

Kansas did not modify any procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

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Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[4] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.


District 2

Melanie Haas

Image of Melanie Haas

Facebook

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Haas attended Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, where she studied art history and dance. She worked in marketing, as a software engineering manager at DST Systems, and, leading up to the election, as a business technology consultant at Prairie Cube Media. Haas spent several years mentoring high school students as part of the Most Entrepreneurial Community in America program and has served on the boards of the Kansas City Startup Foundation (now Startland), Kansas City Women in Technology, and Global Montessori Academy.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Haas said her professional experience in technology gave her a unique perspective as an employer and informed her support for expanding technology curriculums.

Haas said the challenges presented by remote learning called for innovative solutions, and that state leaders should work to ensure schools are prepared in the case of future school closures.

Haas said one of her main priorities was to ensure public schools have adequate funding, especially in light of budget shortfalls related to the coronavirus.

Show sources

Sources: Melanie Haas' 2020 campaign website, "Why I'm Running," accessed October 14, 2020; Vote JoCo, "2020 Kansas State Board of Education Candidate Questionnaire," accessed October 14, 2020; LinkedIn, "Melanie Haas," accessed October 14, 2020; Melanie Haas' 2020 campaign website, "About," accessed October 14, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Kansas State Board of Education District 2 in 2020.

Benjamin Hodge

Image of Benjamin Hodge

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

Biography:  Hodge received a bachelor’s degree in electronic journalism from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. He worked as a columnist with The Monitor and as a political contributor with The Conscience of Kansas radio show. Leading up to the election, he was an insurance agent at SelectQuote Senior and president of the State & Local Reform Group of Kansas, which includes an educational and research non-profit and a PAC.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Hodge said he supported tax deductions for private education or allowing public education funds to go towards students’ tuitions at charter and private schools.

Hodge was critical of public school leaders in Kansas. He said that for some school districts safety and quality of education decreased while costs for taxpayers were high.

Hodge said he was fiscally conservative and would work to reduce spending.

Show sources

Sources: Benjamin Hodge's 2016 campaign website, "Issues," accessed October 14, 2020; The Kansas City Monitor, "GOP's D.C. Opportunity: Put Money, Time Into School Choice," May 3, 2011; Shawnee Mission Post, "Fellow JoCo Republicans raise concerns about Kansas State Board of Ed candidate," October 14, 2020; LinkedIn, "Benjamin Hodge," accessed October 14, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Kansas State Board of Education District 2 in 2020.

District 8

Kathy Busch

Image of Kathy Busch

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office: 

Biography:  Busch received a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Kansas State University and a master’s of science education from Wichita State University. Her professional experience included working as a middle and high school science teacher, a middle school principal, and as a building administrator at middle and high school levels. Leading up to the 2020 election, she served as the chairwoman of the Kansas State Board of Education.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Busch said the most significant challenge schools faced in light of the coronavirus was conducting in-person school safely. She said this could be addressed by having classes in larger spaces and having teachers, rather than students, move from class to class.

Busch said she worked to emotionally and socially support students during her time as chairwoman of the School Mental Health Advisory Council, which began a pilot program providing mental health support for students in some schools.

Busch said enabling students to develop postsecondary plans was a priority, and that during her time on the board they began an Individual Plan of Study program that allowed students to begin pursuing postsecondary interests in high school.

Show sources

Sources: Kansas State Department of Education, "STATE BOARD DISTRICT 8," accessed October 15, 2020; KSN, "Kathy Busch – Republican for State BOE, District 8," September 6, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Kansas State Board of Education District 8 in 2020.

Betty Arnold

Image of Betty Arnold

FacebookTwitter

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

Biography:  Arnold received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wichita State University. Before running for elected office, she worked at the Department of Labor. Arnold served as the chairwoman of the Sedgwick County Democratic Party. While on the Wichita Public Schools school board, Arnold served as president of the board twice and vice-president three times.


Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Arnold said plans informed by safety guidelines and science would help support the health and safety of students and school personnel during the coronavirus pandemic.

Arnold said she would prioritize ensuring all students can access the technology necessary for remote learning, and said student-specific plans for making up work could warrant consideration.

Arnold said it was important to take action to ensure Kansas education fulfilled its mission. She said steps could include altering traditional education to tailor it to students’ needs and interests and introducing programs to allow students to begin career-focused studies in middle school.

Show sources

Sources: KSN, "Betty Arnold – Democrat for State BOE, District 8," September 6, 2020; Betty Arnold's 2020 campaign website, "Meet Betty," accessed October 15, 2020; LinkedIn, "Betty Arnold," accessed October 15, 2020

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Kansas State Board of Education District 8 in 2020.

Candidates and election results

District 2

General election
General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 2

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Melanie Haas
Melanie Haas (D)
 
55.6
 
99,786
Image of Benjamin Hodge
Benjamin Hodge (R)
 
44.4
 
79,696

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 179,482
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

District 4

General election
General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 4

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ann Mah
Ann Mah (D)
 
97.8
 
107,379
 Other/Write-in votes
 
2.2
 
2,408

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 109,787
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

District 6

General election
General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 6

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Deena Horst
Deena Horst (R)
 
100.0
 
108,085

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 108,085
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

District 8

General election
General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 8

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Betty Arnold
Betty Arnold (D)
 
51.4
 
49,467
Image of Kathy Busch
Kathy Busch (R)
 
48.6
 
46,821

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 96,288
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

District 10

General election
General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 10

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jim McNiece
Jim McNiece (R)
 
100.0
 
108,801

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 108,801
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Noteworthy endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. It also includes a bulleted list of links to official lists of endorsements for any candidates who published that information on their campaign websites. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please click here.

Click the links below to see endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites, if available.


Noteworthy events

Board declines to approve gubernatorial executive order to delay start of school (2020)

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Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.


See also Debate over school closures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

On July 22, 2020, the Kansas State Board of Education voted 5-5 on whether to approve an executive order by Governor Laura Kelly that would have delayed the start of the K-12 2020-2021 public school year until September 9, 2020 (after the Labor Day holiday).[5] The executive order needed approval from the board in order to take effect.[6] Since the board did not approve the order with a simple majority, the decision of when to begin the school year was left up to the state's individual school districts.[7]

Campaign themes

See also: Campaign themes

District 2

Democratic Party Melanie Haas

Haas' campaign website stated the following:

“
  • Why I'm Running
When my own children started school in the Shawnee Mission School District, I had to advocate for them in a variety of ways. Eventually, I found myself with more emails and meetings around the district’s 1:1 technology (price tag: $59 million and counting) than I would ever have imagined! As a technologist, I started hearing from parents who were frustrated that the district had given their kids devices, but without a real plan for how those devices should be used. Fast forward to now and why I’m running:
  • It’s imperative that we address technology competency for college and career readiness. Additionally, these students should learn to be good “digital citizens” as soon as they have access to a device. Devices can be useful tools, but technology requires curriculum. If you are a parent in a 1:1 school district, you have already witnessed this!
  • I believe that public education affects every single one of us. In 2019 I knocked on doors in support of a local school board candidate and I heard something that struck fear into my heart. Residents in my own neighborhood said, “I don’t have kids in these schools, it doesn’t affect me.”
  • Graduates of our public schools run the communities that we call home, working in and owning the businesses we rely on. The quality of their education impacts their success in life as well as the impact they have on each of our daily lives.
  • Public education must become a forward-looking priority again for state leaders. With massive budget shortfalls looming as a result of COVID-19, creative problem solving will be required at all levels of government. “School” as we know it just changed. Homes became classrooms. We need to be ready for next time. It’s time for student experiences to align with our changed world, so that Kansas truly can lead the world in the success of every student.[8]
 ”
—Melanie Haas' campaign website (2020)[9]


Republican Party Benjamin Hodge

Hodge’s campaign website stated the following:

“
  • Issues
– LOWER TAXES – STOP THE CONSTANT TAX INCREASES EVERY YEAR!
– LET’S PUT CHILDREN AND PARENTS FIRST IN EDUCATION
– CUT WASTEFUL SPENDING
– PROTECT PROPERTY RIGHTS
– PRO-LIFE
– STOP THE FEDERAL TAKE-OVER OF LOCAL ZONING
– DEFEND 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS
– SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT[8]
 ”
—Benjamin Hodge’s campaign website (2020)[10]


District 4

Democratic Party Ann Mah

Mah’s campaign website stated the following:

“
  • A Vision for Education
KANSAS LEADS THE WORLD IN PUBLIC EDUCATION!
Before Kansas settlers built prisons, they built public schools. Our state’s founding fathers believed so strongly in the importance of public education that they guaranteed it in the Kansas Constitution. We have had required school attendance since 1874 because we understood the connection between education and success. For years, many of our leaders no longer connected good schools with a bright future.
They cut funding for early childhood education, even though we know it is the key to later learning. They redirected our tax dollars to private schools. While other states invested in public education, our governor and legislature attacked the very roots of our education system, causing an exodus of teachers and administrators to other states. With the 2016 elections, however, I believe we now have a more public school friendly Legislature.
I am honored to now be serving on the Kansas State Board of Education so that I may work for every child’s success along with the Legislature. The State Board’s KansansCAN vision is the “moon shot” goal we need to help every child succeed. Here is some information about the KansansCAN Vision.
KansansCAN:
Kansans are demanding higher standards in academic skills, as well as employability and citizenship skills, and the need to move away from a “one-size-fits-all” system that relies exclusively on state assessments. This new vision for education calls for a more student-focused system that provides support and resources for individual success and will require everyone to work together to make it a reality. Together, Kansans Can lead the world in the success of each student.
VISION
Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.
OUTCOMES TO BE MEASURED
  • Kindergarten readiness
  • Individual Plan of Study based on career interest
  • Graduation rates
  • Postsecondary attendance/attainment
  • Social/emotional growth measured locally
DEFINING SUCCESS
A successful Kansas high school graduate has the academic preparation, cognitive preparation, technical skills, employability skills and civic engagement to be successful in postsecondary education, in the attainment of an industry recognized certification or in the workforce, without the need for remediation.[8]
 ”
—Ann Mah’s campaign website (2020)[11]


Republican Party Josh Harris

WBIW reported Harris saying the following:

“
  • Local Control
Local control is paramount to empowering parents to have a greater say in the education of their children. While it is essential to have high standards and accountability state-wide for students and educators, we need to recognize that not all students learn the same way and have unique educational needs.[8]
 ”
—WIBW (2020)[12]


District 8

Republican Party Kathy Busch

Busch said the following in response to a KSN News questionnaire:

“
What should the Kansas BOE do to make sure students have the right tools and technology for at-home learning?
Kansas BOE has put together teams of over 1000 teachers, administrators, and board members to work on a much more comprehensive guidance document for school districts. This guidance document, Navigating Change 2020 provides operational support and instructional support to schools for remote, hybrid, and in-person learning. Many school districts that did not previously have adequate technology for their students to be able to learn online were able to purchase electronic devices with their CARES money this summer. I believe most if not all school districts will have better access for technology.
How should any additional health and safety measures be funded?
School districts were provided with CARES money from the Federal Government. Many of the districts have already spent that money making sure they have technology and other supplies to deal with COVID-19. I do think schools will need additional funding depending how long this pandemic lasts. I would like to see additional stimulus money come from the Federal government and the State Board has been working with our U.S. Senators and House Congressional Representatives to encourage funding to support school needs.
What is the largest challenge facing schools right now amidst the pandemic, and how do you propose the BOE helps them solve it?
The largest challenge facing school district now is how to get students back in to in-person school safely. Many of our smallest school district have started school in-person and unfortunately several of those districts have experienced an increase in COVID-19 cases in their schools and have had to change the method of schooling. Going back to our Navigating Change 2020 document and the Gating Criteria will assist schools with guidance on how to safely reopen schools.
The best thing would be for students in-person for schooling but we do have to put safety measures in place to allow that to happen. Those safety measures could include spreading students out in larger spaces including looking for other options in towns with larger venues. It would also help to keep students in cohort groups and have the teachers move classrooms. If we did these measures it would be easier to contain outbreaks. The Commissioner conducts frequent Zoom meetings with Superintendents going over options for reopening schools.
What can schools do to promote social and racial justice?
School districts can work with the Social, Emotional and Character Development standards that the state has to support all students having a more equitable opportunity in their school buildings. They can also use the history-government standards to look more critically at the history of our country and determine inequities and how to remedy those inequities. We also have a Civic Engagement component of our State Board goals. This is a prime time for schools to help their students get more involvement in civic activities in both their schools and their communities.
What are the top 3 things you think deserve your immediate attention and what action would you take on them?
My number one issue would continue to be social and emotional supports not only for the students but for the teachers as we go back to school in these uncertain times. The State Board established a School Mental Health Advisory Council three years ago and I am the State Board representative and Chair of this Council. We continue to meet regarding supports for students. We look at our Social, Emotional and Character Development standards and determine how to better focus our support for students. We also have a School Mental Health pilot programs going as a partnership activity between various school districts and their Mental Health Community groups throughout the state. These partnerships allow students to receive mental health support during the school day at school.
The second item would be to continue to focus on postsecondary supports for our schools. We have established an Individual Plan of Study for each student that allows them to look at options for themselves for after high school. Often times these students are able to start work on their interest area during high school time so that they are more prepared to be successful after high school.
My third issue would be Kindergarten Readiness. We have worked hard the past few years trying to expand the options for communities to have Pre-K programs that meet the needs of their local communities. In partnership with the Children’s Cabinet and several grants the State Board has focused on expanding the opportunities for Pre-K throughout the state. As more students are involved in Pre-K, more students will come to Kindergarten prepared. We have also implemented a Kindergarten Readiness screener so that parents and schools can determine what these incoming Kindergarteners need as they first come into school.
What should the Kansas BOE do to make sure at-risk students are not being left behind?
The State BOE has already given direction to local school districts to bring at-risk students back into the schools to provide services directly to them. Even if school districts are on remote learning they can bring cohort groups of 10 or fewer students in to work directly with their teachers. Districts can bring in as many cohort groups of 10 students as needed to be able to provide that instruction. Many districts are already doing this with Special Education students and other at-risk groups and the State Board is actively encouraging that practice. State Board is also encouraging local districts to begin to plan for the summer of 2021 to bring in students who the data shows are falling behind. That will allow more time and support to get students caught up.
What resources do you think Kansas schools need that they currently don’t have?
Schools could use additional funds to provide for the extra cleaning of schools. Once we get more school districts back in full time it will be difficult to have adequate space in order to spread students out. That may require having to rent some additional instructional space for our students. Also more COVID-19 testing protocols from the state would be very helpful in order to keep students and staff safe once they are back in the actual buildings.[8]
 ”
—KSN News (2020)[13]


Democratic Party Betty Arnold

Arnold’s campaign website stated the following:

“
  • New Leadership Delivering Results for Kansas
Thank you for taking the time to “Meet Betty”. One thing that I hope stands out to you is my commitment to and for public education. My resolve for this institution is by and through my life experience and learning first hand the difference that education can make in one’s life. There are amazing results when a young mind is nurtured. Those results equate to individual success and economic stability for our state and nation as a whole. Thus, my reason to seek to represent you on the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education requires a unique blend of passion, a leadership style that reflects "We the people", and a clear focus on getting the job done. I am passionate about education and I believe that every student has skills and talents that if developed will lead that student to success! It is important that you know this before we journey through my strong belief in education.
In December 1975, I graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and shortly thereafter begun my career as a public servant with the Kansas Department of Labor. Shortly before retiring, I was elected to the Board of Education for USD 259 in Wichita. I served as the District One representative for 10 years. During that time, I was elected by my fellow Board members to serve as president of the Board twice and vice-president three times. Additionally, I was elected to represent my District as a Board member for the Kansas Association of School Boards and the Council of Great City Schools. I chaired the Sedgwick County Democratic Party and was selected as a delegate for the Democratic National Convention in 2016.
Education as we know it was halted in March of this year due to the pandemic, something that none of us expected nor were we prepared with options of how do we continue to meet the needs of our students. Months later those guidelines or models are still absent with our State Board of Education offering no leadership and stating that each school district should figure out what they should do. Sound familiar?
If you believe that our students deserve better; if you believe that we need leaders willing to lead; if you believe that your voice can make a difference, then lend me your support and elect Betty Arnold for State Board of Education.

​:Betty[8]

”
—Betty Arnold’s campaign website (2020)[14]


District 10

Republican Party Jim McNiece

McNiece’s campaign website stated the following:

“
Making Kansas a world leader in …
THE SUCCESS OF EVERY STUDENT
As a member of the State Board of Education, Jim knows that we have the top educators in the country and that we have great leadership in our school system. We must work together with the business community to ensure that the needs and vision of our educators, employers and parents are met by our educational structure.
Ensuring that Kansas education is flexible
in order to meet the needs of today’s students and …
THE FUTURE NEEDS OF OUR WORKFORCE
The State Board of Education has adopted higher academic standards to better prepare our students for success after high school. We need equal focus on helping our students attain non-academic skills in order to be successful in the workforce. More students must complete some post-secondary education in order to meet our workforce needs. By 2020, it is estimated that 71% of all jobs in Kansas will require some post-secondary education. We need more students to fill the gap that we’re currently seeing across the State.
Non-academic skills, such as critical thinking, perseverance, and social-emotional ability affect the ability of students to be successful in post-education and in the workforce. We must put more emphasis on this in K-12 education.
Rethinking how our schools operate
to determine whether we are meeting …
THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS
We need to ensure that Kansas children have access to quality preschools and all-day kindergarten. Additionally, we need to change school culture to ensure that a technical education is valued equally to the pursuit of a 4-year college degree. School counselors and social workers need to be able to focus on helping individual students explore their career paths and help them develop individual plans of study. When schools are reorganized around the student, and not the systems of education, there is better equity and will undoubtedly be better outcomes. And finally, Jim believes we need to see a stronger focus on business involvement in the classroom and student involvement in community service. Things such as internships and shadowing provide hands-on experience for students as they prepare to enter the workforce, and community service and civic engagement simply provide real-world skills that will make for more well-rounded students and adults.[8]
 ”
—Jim McNiece’s campaign website (2020)[15]


Past elections

2018

See also: Kansas State Board of Education election, 2018

District 1

General election

General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 1

Incumbent Janet Waugh defeated Michael Powell in the general election for Kansas State Board of Education District 1 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Janet Waugh
Janet Waugh (D)
 
60.5
 
52,218
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Michael Powell (R)
 
39.5
 
34,109

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 86,327
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 1

Incumbent Janet Waugh advanced from the Democratic primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 1 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Janet Waugh
Janet Waugh
 
100.0
 
18,978

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 18,978
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 1

Michael Powell advanced from the Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 1 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Michael Powell
 
100.0
 
12,108

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 12,108
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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District 3

General election

General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 3

Michelle Dombrosky defeated Ruth Goff in the general election for Kansas State Board of Education District 3 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Michelle Dombrosky (R)
 
54.4
 
69,653
Image of Ruth Goff
Ruth Goff (D)
 
45.6
 
58,419

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 128,072
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 3

Ruth Goff advanced from the Democratic primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 3 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ruth Goff
Ruth Goff
 
100.0
 
18,469

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 18,469
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 3

Michelle Dombrosky defeated Jason Winbolt in the Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 3 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Michelle Dombrosky
 
63.9
 
19,779
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Jason Winbolt
 
36.1
 
11,189

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 30,968
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District 5

General election

General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 5

Jean Clifford won election in the general election for Kansas State Board of Education District 5 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
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Jean Clifford (R)
 
100.0
 
72,294

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 72,294
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 5

Jean Clifford advanced from the Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 5 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
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Jean Clifford
 
100.0
 
27,210

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 27,210
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District 7

General election

General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 7

Ben Jones defeated James Hannon in the general election for Kansas State Board of Education District 7 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
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Ben Jones (R)
 
62.1
 
59,223
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James Hannon (D)
 
37.9
 
36,136

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 95,359
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 7

James Hannon advanced from the Democratic primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 7 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
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James Hannon
 
100.0
 
9,442

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 9,442
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 7

Ben Jones defeated Robert D'Andrea in the Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 7 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
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Ben Jones
 
52.0
 
15,508
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Robert D'Andrea Candidate Connection
 
48.0
 
14,319

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 29,827
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District 9

General election

General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 9

Incumbent Jim Porter won election in the general election for Kansas State Board of Education District 9 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jim Porter
Jim Porter (R)
 
100.0
 
77,191

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 77,191
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 9

Incumbent Jim Porter advanced from the Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 9 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jim Porter
Jim Porter
 
100.0
 
25,853

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 25,853
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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State profile

See also: Kansas and Kansas elections, 2020
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Partisan data

The information in this section was current as of April 30, 2020.

Presidential voting pattern

  • Kansas voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Congressional delegation

State executives

  • Democrats held five and Republicans held 12 of Kansas' 24 state executive offices. Elections for the other offices are nonpartisan.
  • Kansas' governor was Democrat Laura Kelly.

State legislature

Kansas Party Control: 1992-2025
No Democratic trifectas  •  Sixteen years of Republican trifectas

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor D D D R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D
Senate R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
House D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

Kansas quick stats
More Kansas coverage on Ballotpedia:


Demographic data for Kansas
 KansasU.S.
Total population:2,906,721316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):81,7593,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:85.2%73.6%
Black/African American:5.8%12.6%
Asian:2.6%5.1%
Native American:0.8%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0.1%0.2%
Two or more:3.3%3%
Hispanic/Latino:11.2%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:90.2%86.7%
College graduation rate:31%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$52,205$53,889
Persons below poverty level:15%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Kansas.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


See also

Kansas State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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Kansas State Executive Offices
Kansas State Legislature
Kansas Courts
2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016
Kansas elections: 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ KSN, "Kansas State Board of Education votes 5-5 rejecting governor’s executive order delaying the start of school," July 22, 2020
  2. ↑ Kansas State Department of Education, "Kansas State Board of Education Policies," accessed October 15, 2020
  3. ↑ Kansas State Board of Education, "Kansas State Board of Education," accessed October 15, 2020
  4. ↑ Candidate Connection surveys completed before September 26, 2019, were not used to generate candidate profiles. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
  5. ↑ 3KSN, "Kansas State Board of Education votes 5-5 rejecting governor’s executive order delaying the start of school," July 22, 2020
  6. ↑ Kansas Office of the Governor, "EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 20-58," accessed July 23, 2020
  7. ↑ The Wichita Eagle, "Kansas Board of Education rejects Kelly order delaying schools opening to stem virus," July 222, 2020
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  9. ↑ Melanie Haas' 2020 campaign website, “Why I'm Running,” accessed October 6, 220
  10. ↑ Benjamin Hodge’s 2020 campaign website, “Issues,” accessed October 6, 2020
  11. ↑ Ann Mah’s 2020 campaign website, “A vision for education,” accessed October 6, 2020
  12. ↑ WIBW, “Topeka man launches write-in campaign for State Board of Education,” accessed October 6, 2020
  13. ↑ KSN News, “Kathy Busch – Republican for State BOE, District 8,” accessed October 6, 2020
  14. ↑ Betty Arnolds’s campaign website, “Meet Betty,” accessed October 6, 2020
  15. ↑ Jim McNiece’s 2020 campaign website, “On the Issues,” accessed October 6, 2020
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