Seventeen Kansas state legislative incumbents are retiring in 2026, the second-highest number in any midterm election since 2010. This is a 29% decrease in the number of incumbents retiring compared to 2022. In Kansas, state representatives are up for election every two years, while state senators are up every four years (presidential election years).
Fourteen of the retiring incumbents are Republicans, and three are Democrats. All 17 are state representatives.
Twenty-three incumbents are facing a primary opponent, tied for second most in a midterm year with 2010, and behind 2018.
Of these, six incumbents are Democrats, and 17 are Republicans. The number of Democrats is up from 1 in 2022, a 500% increase. The number of Republicans facing a primary is up 21% from 14 in 2022.
In total, 260 major party candidates filed to run. One hundred and twenty-four are Democrats, and 136 are Republicans. All 125 House seats are up for election.
Seventeen seats are open, meaning no incumbents filed. This means newcomers will make up at least 5% of the legislature next year. The average number of open seats each cycle from 2010 to 2024 was 10.
