Kansas House District 26 covers part of southern Johnson County, including portions of Olathe, Overland Park and Spring Hill, as well as a bit of Miami County. See a district map to see its boundaries.
Republican incumbent Rep. Chip VanHouden is running for reelection against Democrat Laura Johnson.
Learn more about the candidates, who are listed in alphabetical order.
Laura Johnson (Democratic)
Laura Johnson won a two-way Democratic primary in August and lists no prior political experience on her campaign website. Raised in Nebraska by two teachers, Johnson has worked in child care and catering and now works as an administrative assistant for accountants. Johnson calls fully funding special education up to the statutorily required 92% of excess cost level her first priority and would consider rainy day funds or legalized marijuana to pay for it. She is also open to a one-year data center moratorium.
Chip VanHouden (Republican, incumbent)
Chip VanHouden is seeking a second term in the Kansas House after serving on the Spring Hill City Council from 2021 to 2024. VanHouden works in biomedical sales and is a graduate of the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce’s leadership program. He wants to rein in property taxes through valuation caps or revenue-neutral requirements and supports more state special education funding tied to test score gains. He also proposes making childbirth free for all mothers.
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