GOP Primaries Held in Kansas and Colorado Governor's Races
Two separate reports describe Republican gubernatorial primary contests in Kansas and Colorado. The Hill focused on Kansas, where multiple GOP candidates competed to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, while Denver7 reported on a too-close-to-call Colorado GOP primary. The two reports cover distinct states and elections with no overlapping details, differing mainly in geographic focus and candidates named.
In 2026, Republican primaries were held in both Kansas and Colorado as part of efforts to contest governor's seats currently held by Democrats or open due to term limits. In Kansas, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is term-limited and cannot seek reelection; multiple Republicans, including state Senate President Ty Masterson, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, and Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, sought the GOP nomination, with President Trump endorsing Masterson. In Colorado, Republicans Barbara Kirkmeyer and Victor Marx competed in a primary for their party's gubernatorial nomination. In the Kansas primary, held Tuesday according to The Hill's report dated August 4, 2026, results were not specified in the available reporting. In Colorado, Denver7 reported that with 80% of votes counted, Kirkmeyer led with 40.69% to Marx's 39.16%, describing the race as too close to call. Colorado has not elected a Republican governor since 2007, according to Denver7. Final results for both the Kansas and Colorado Republican primaries were not confirmed in the available reporting. The outcome of the Colorado race remained undetermined pending full vote counts as of the report's publication. It is unresolved which candidates ultimately won either primary or who will advance to face Democratic opponents in the general election.
SOURCE COMPARISON
How the coverage differs
Live results: Kansas holds primaries as GOP looks to flip governor's seat
Republicans are looking to flip the Kansas governor's mansion this fall, with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly unable to run for reelection again. President Trump has endorsed state Senate President Ty Masterson in Tuesday's GOP primary to replace Kelly, who is term limited. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and state Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt are...
Read original report ↗GOP primary for Colorado governor race too close to call
The Republican primary for Colorado governor was too close to call, with Barbara Kirkmeyer at 40.69% and Victor Marx at 39.16% with 80% of the vote reported. Colorado has not elected a Republican governor since 2007.
Read original report ↗