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R Republican · Incumbent · U.S. House 2, Kansas · Nov 3, 2026

Derek
Schmidt

Republican incumbent Derek Schmidt represents Kansas's 2nd Congressional District, having taken office in January 2025 after serving as state AG.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
18
positions
11
endorsements
12
derekschmidt.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Don Coover D+ 1 more Compare race →

Background

Derek Schmidt is a Republican U.S. representative for Kansas's 2nd Congressional District, having taken office on January 3, 2025, for the 119th Congress (2025–2027). A fifth-generation Kansan born in Independence, Kansas, he holds degrees from the University of Kansas (B.S., 1990), the University of Leicester (M.A., 1993), Georgetown University (J.D., 1996), and the University of Kansas School of Law (S.J.D., 2015). 1/)3

Before his congressional service, Schmidt worked on the staffs of U.S. Senators Nancy Landon Kassebaum (1991–1996) and Chuck Hagel (1997–1998). He served in the Kansas State Senate from 2001 to 2011, including as Senate majority leader from 2005 to 2011, and then as Kansas Attorney General from 2011 to 2023. He was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for governor in 2022. 1/)2

After leaving the attorney general's office, Schmidt joined the law firm Husch Blackwell as a partner in August 2023. He subsequently won election to Congress, representing Kansas's 2nd District beginning in January 2025. 1/)10

Schmidt is the incumbent in the 2026 congressional race and is seeking re-election to represent the 2nd District. 7

At a glance

Party
Republican · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. House · District 2, Kansas
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Representative for Kansas's 2nd Congressional District
Website
derekschmidt.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Voting record

How Derek Schmidt voted in Congress: 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 3, 2025 to Sep 16, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.

roll call votes
674
missed
0.7%
with their party’s majority
96%

Recent key votes

  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · S2403 · Economy & jobs
    Retire through Ownership Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9497 · Climate & energy
    Water Resources Development Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9340 · Climate & energy
    Ratepayer Protection Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HJRES213 · Climate & energy
    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safety
    PROOF Act
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9576 · Crime & public safety
    National Fraud Enforcement Division Act
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 15, 2026 · House · HJRES210 · Climate & energy
    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 15, 2026 · House · HR9500 · Taxes & budget
    Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes

Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 674 votes →

Timeline

  1. Oct 7
    endorsement
    Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly endorses Democrat Don Coover over Schmidt in KS-02 race

    Kansas Governor Laura Kelly endorsed Democrat Don Coover for the KS-02 seat, urging voters to support him on November 3. The Kansas Reflector also noted that Schmidt had recently received an endorsement from the Kansas State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, adding to earlier endorsements from the Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Livestock Association, and NRA.

    Gov. Laura Kelly backs Kansas Democrat for US House, wades into Iowa governor's race · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 6
    news
    Schmidt has raised nearly $1.5 million for his KS-02 campaign, per KCUR fundraising snapshot

    KCUR reported Schmidt had raised almost $1.5 million compared to Democratic challenger Don Coover's roughly $750,000. Libertarian John Hauer does not accept donations. These figures reflect campaign fundraising as reported by KCUR and are not a full accounting of all outside spending.

    Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District: What to know about the candidates running in November · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 5
    news
    Schmidt discusses farm policy and federal spending in KOAM interview

    In an interview with KOAM, Schmidt said the House had passed a new farm bill and was waiting on the Senate's version, calling it 'probably the most direct and immediate thing Congress can get done' for farming. On spending, he said he generally advocates for less federal spending while wanting Kansas to receive its fair share.

    Kansas Second Congressional District Race Draws National Attention · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 2
    news
    DCCC adds KS-02 to its 'Districts in Play' target list

    The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added Kansas's 2nd Congressional District to its target list for the 2026 midterms. Roll Call noted Trump carried the district by 20 points in 2024, based on Inside Elections calculations.

    DCCC Adds KS-02 To Districts In Play As Democrats ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 1
    news
    Schmidt bill on law enforcement background checks passes Senate

    A bill introduced by Rep. Derek Schmidt addressing law enforcement background checks passed the Senate, according to a press release reported by Quiver Quantitative.

    Press Release: Rep. Derek Schmidt Bill on Law ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Aug 4
    filing
    Derek Schmidt wins Republican primary for KS-02 with ~80% of the vote

    Schmidt won the August 4 Republican primary with approximately 80% of the vote, securing the GOP nomination for Kansas's 2nd Congressional District. His general-election opponents are Democrat Don Coover and Libertarian John Hauer.

    Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District: What to know about the candidates running in November · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • 60 Plus Association organization
    Date not stated on the campaign page. derekschmidt.com
  • Kansas State Council of Fire Fighters organization
    Date not stated on the campaign page. derekschmidt.com
  • Kansans for Life PAC organization
    Date not stated on the campaign page. derekschmidt.com
  • Kansas Family Voice organization
    Date not stated on the campaign page. kansasfamilyvoice.com
  • NFIB Federal PAC organization
    Date not stated on the campaign page. derekschmidt.com
  • National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) organization
    Date not stated in the cited report. kansasreflector.com
  • Kansas Fraternal Order of Police organization
    Reported October 7, 2026; precise announcement date not given. kansasreflector.com
  • Kansas Livestock Association organization
    Date not stated in the cited report. kansasreflector.com
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce organization
    U.S. Chamber endorsed Schmidt for Kansas's Second District. uschamber.com · Aug 11, 2026
  • Kansas Farm Bureau VOTE FBF organization
    Announcement reported August 2026 on the Kansas Farm Bureau website. kfb.org · Aug 6, 2026
  • National Sorghum Producers organization
    Endorsed Schmidt for reelection in Kansas's 2nd Congressional District. sorghumgrowers.com · Jun 25, 2026
  • President Donald J. Trump official
    Trump endorsed Schmidt in July 2025; a contemporaneous news report was published July 9, 2025. derekschmidt.com · Jul 9, 2025

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$1.46M
Spent
$557K
Cash on hand
$939K

As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H4KS02164(opens in a new tab)

Sources 18

  1. [1] Derek Schmidt for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  2. [2] Gov. Laura Kelly backs Kansas Democrat for US House, wades into Iowa governor's race(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  3. [3] Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District: What to know about the candidates running in November(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  4. [4] Endorsements & Voter Guide - Kansas Family Voice(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  5. [5] Kansas Second Congressional District Race Draws National Attention(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  6. [6] DCCC Adds KS-02 To Districts In Play As Democrats ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  7. [7] Media - Representative Derek Schmidt | - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  8. [8] Press Release: Rep. Derek Schmidt Bill on Law ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  9. [9] U.S. Chamber Endorses Rep. Derek Schmidt for Kansas's ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 11, 2026
  10. [10] KFB's VOTE FBF endorses Rep. Schmidt for re-election to ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 6, 2026
  11. [11] National Sorghum Producers Endorses Derek Schmidt for ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 25, 2026
  12. [12] Rep. Derek Schmidt Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Police ...(opens in a new tab) Apr 20, 2026
  13. [13] Rep. Derek Schmidt statement on military operations in Iran(opens in a new tab) Mar 5, 2026
  14. [14] Schmidt Applauds Passage of One Big Beautiful Bill(opens in a new tab) May 22, 2025
  15. [15] Schmidt-Backed Concealed Carry Bill Advances in House(opens in a new tab) Mar 25, 2025
  16. [16] Schmidt Votes to Protect America's Energy Independence(opens in a new tab) Feb 7, 2025
  17. [17] Education(opens in a new tab) Jan 3, 2025
  18. [18] Health(opens in a new tab) Jan 3, 2025
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