<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The 2018 Kansas gubernatorial election will take place on November 6, 2018, to elect the next Governor of Kansas . Republican Governor Sam Brownback was term - limited and could not seek re-election to a third consecutive term, but can re-enter as a candidate in 2022 . On July 26, 2017, Brownback was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as United States Ambassador - at - Large for International Religious Freedom . Brownback was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 24, 2018 . On January 31, 2018 Brownback resigned the governorship and Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer succeeded him . Colyer is eligible to seek a full term, and he announced his candidacy prior to becoming Governor . In the August 7 primary, Colyer faced off against Ken Selzer, CPA and current Insurance Commissioner, Jim Barnett, Topeka doctor and 2006 Republican Kansas gubernatorial nominee, and Kansas Secretary of State and anti-immigration advocate Kris Kobach . </P> <P> On August 7, 2018, Kobach appeared headed for victory over incumbent Governor Jeff Colyer in the Republican gubernatorial primary by an initial margin of 191 votes . By August 9, 2018, his lead stood at 121 votes, but discrepancies in some counties needed resolution, and provisional and absentee ballots may not have been counted in some counties . Democratic Senator Laura Kelly easily won the Democratic nomination . Independent Greg Orman, who finished second in the 2014 U.S. Senate race against incumbent Republican Pat Roberts, is running for governor, again as an independent candidate . </P> <P> Given that Kansas is the only state which has no gubernatorial statutory qualifications whatsoever in its constitution, seven teenagers, including one who has never even been to the state of Kansas, ran for the office in this election cycle . </P>

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