Politics in Kansas is a weird beast. You’ve got a state that hasn't voted for a Democratic president since LBJ, yet here we are in 2026, and Governor Laura Kelly is still walking around with some of the most enviable numbers in the country. Seriously. While most politicians are lucky to keep their heads above water, Kelly has spent much of her second term comfortably floating in the "popular" bracket.
According to the latest 2025 Kansas Speaks survey conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, Kelly maintains a solid 47% satisfaction rating, with only about 27% of Kansans expressing dissatisfaction. To put that in perspective, her approval is currently higher than both the Kansas Legislature and President Donald Trump within the state.
She's an anomaly.
The Numbers Behind the Laura Kelly Approval Rating
Kansans are notoriously picky. They liked the "moderate" vibes of the early 2000s, then swung hard toward the Sam Brownback "experiment," and then seemingly regretted it. Kelly stepped into that vacuum.
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Her popularity isn't just a fluke of a good economy. It's stayed remarkably consistent. In 2024, Morning Consult data actually pegged her as one of the ten most popular governors in the entire United States, boasting a net approval of +26.5. Even as she enters her final year in office—remember, she’s term-limited and can’t run again in the upcoming 2026 election—she isn't exactly suffering from "lame duck" syndrome.
The breakdown of her support usually looks like this:
- The Moderate Middle: Kelly wins over the Johnson County Republicans who are fiscally conservative but socially moderate.
- The Rural Reach: She spends an insane amount of time in "non-traditional" Democratic areas. You’ll see her at a ribbon-cutting for a new water plant in a town of 400 people just as often as you'll see her in Topeka.
- The Veto Power: Oddly enough, her frequent use of the veto pen seems to help her. In a state where the GOP holds supermajorities, she positions herself as the "adult in the room" or the "final check" on legislation.
Why Do People Actually Like Her?
Honestly, it's about the "middle-of-the-road" brand. Kelly has leaned hard into a "pro-business, pro-education" narrative that makes it difficult for opponents to paint her as a radical.
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While the national Democratic brand can be a heavy lift in the Midwest, Kelly has largely insulated herself by focusing on things like Medicaid expansion, which the 2025 Kansas Speaks poll showed is supported by a majority of Kansans, even if the Legislature refuses to budge.
Then there's the money. Kansas is currently sitting on a massive budget surplus. When people see the state's bank account is full, they tend to be less grumpy about the person in the governor’s mansion. She has used this leverage to push for tax cuts—specifically the "Axe the Snack Tax" campaign to eliminate the state grocery tax—which is basically a win-win for her approval rating. Everyone likes cheaper eggs.
The 2026 Transition and Her Legacy
Because Kelly is hitting her term limit, the laura kelly approval rating has become a bit of a benchmark for the candidates trying to replace her. The 2026 gubernatorial race is already heating up, and it’s looking like a "Lean Republican" toss-up according to the Cook Political Report.
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Republican candidates like former Governor Jeff Colyer and Secretary of State Scott Schwab are currently the most recognized names on the GOP side. On the Democratic side, State Senators Cindy Holscher and Ethan Corson are vying for the spot, but they’re fighting an uphill battle in terms of name recognition.
The real question for 2026 isn't just about party. It's about whether the next governor can replicate Kelly's "Kansas Democrat" formula. If the eventual Democratic nominee can’t tap into that same moderate-Republican and Independent coalition that Kelly built, the state will likely swing back to GOP control.
Key Insights for Kansans
If you're watching the polls or planning to vote in the August 4, 2026 primary, keep these factors in mind:
- Watch the Veto Overrides: The Republican supermajority in the Legislature will likely try to override several of Kelly's final-term vetoes. How she handles these public battles usually correlates with her spikes in popularity.
- Track the Candidates: Pay attention to how the 2026 candidates talk about Kelly's policies. Republicans will likely try to link her to national Democratic figures, while Democrats will try to frame themselves as "Kelly 2.0."
- The "Brownback" Ghost: Part of why Kelly remains popular is that many voters still remember the fiscal crisis of the mid-2010s. Any candidate who looks like they might return to those "tax experiment" days usually sees a dip in support.
Actionable Next Steps: Keep a close eye on the Docking Institute’s upcoming spring 2026 survey results. These final "exit" ratings for Kelly will serve as the baseline for the general election. If her approval remains above 45% as she leaves office, it indicates that the "middle path" is still the most viable route for any candidate looking to win the Kansas governorship in November. Check your voter registration status by June 1, 2026, to ensure you can participate in the primary that will decide who tries to fill her shoes.