Kansas Governor Race Ad Linked Candidate to Tax Policy
A new digital advertisement targets Ty Masterson by associating him with former Governor Sam Brownback's tax legacy.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Economic Policy
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The Democratic Governors Association has launched a digital campaign in the 2026 Kansas gubernatorial race featuring edited video clips of Senate President Ty Masterson. The advertisement attempts to link Masterson to the tax policies of former Governor Sam Brownback ahead of the November 3, 2026, election.
Why it matters
The campaign ad highlights the ongoing debate over past Kansas tax shifts that impacted over 300,000 business owners and state revenue. Voters are weighing these historical policy records as they consider the future of state tax liability and economic management.
Polling shows 64% of respondents view former Governor Sam Brownback negatively, compared to 21% who view him positively. The 2012 tax policy associated with his tenure shielded more than 300,000 business owners from state tax liability.
The players
Ty Masterson
The Kansas Senate President and gubernatorial nominee who has represented Andover in the state legislature for two decades.
Sam Brownback
The former Kansas Governor whose 2012 tax legislation reduced income tax rates and is a focal point of current campaign discourse.
Cindy Holscher
The Democratic nominee for Kansas governor who represents the Overland Park area.
Democratic Governors Association
A political organization focused on electing Democratic governors that is currently funding digital advertising in the Kansas race.
The details
The Democratic Governors Association commercial utilizes spliced footage from a 2017 Kansas Republican Assembly forum and a 2023 television interview. Ty Masterson, who has served in the legislature for 20 years, has characterized the ad as a misrepresentation of his own 2007-2008 proposal for a tax ratchet mechanism. The ad seeks to connect the current Senate President to the broader fiscal outcomes of the 2012 tax law.
Timeline
2007-2008: Ty Masterson developed a proposal for an income tax ratchet.
2012: Sam Brownback signed tax legislation into law.
2013-2016: Kansas gross domestic product grew by 4.8%.
2017: Legislators voted to repeal the Brownback tax program.
November 3, 2026: Kansas gubernatorial election date.
Money Landscape
The current campaign discourse reflects the lingering economic legacy of the 2012 tax program, which saw state revenue decline by $1 billion during a period of sluggish growth. This political fight follows a pattern set by the 2017 bipartisan repeal of those same tax measures.
Voters should review how proposed state tax shifts may impact their own household liability and state-funded services. Consult a qualified tax professional to understand how potential changes in state tax policy could influence your individual financial planning.
The takeaway
The gubernatorial race is focusing heavily on the long-term economic consequences of state tax legislation from the previous decade. Keep track of specific tax proposals from all candidates as the November 3, 2026, election approaches to see how they might alter your personal tax obligations.
Further reading
Learn more about local fiscal trends in our Economic Policy section.
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Do you trust campaign advertisements that link political candidates to the legacies of past governors?
