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

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.

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.