Republican · Kansas's 2nd District · 2026

Derek Schmidt

Schmidt grew up in Independence and first studied journalism, then international politics and law.

Derek Schmidt grew up in Independence, graduating from its high school and studying at Independence Community College.¹ His family roots in Kansas stretch back five generations.¹ He and his wife, Jennifer, have two grown daughters, and his campaign biography describes spending time on his farm in southeast Kansas among his interests.²

Schmidt first earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at the University of Kansas.¹ His education then took him through a master's in international politics at Britain's University of Leicester, a law degree at Georgetown University and a doctorate in law at the University of Kansas.¹ His early government work included six years on U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum's staff.³

He served in the Kansas Senate from 2001 to 2011, including six years as majority leader, and was state attorney general from 2011 to 2023.³ During that period, he led the National Association of Attorneys General from 2017 to 2018.¹ He was the Republican nominee for governor in 2022, losing to Democratic incumbent Laura Kelly.³

Schmidt entered the U.S. House in January 2025.¹ His committee assignments include Armed Services, Judiciary and Small Business.¹ His current agenda emphasizes stronger border enforcement, reduced federal spending and tax relief for families, small businesses and agricultural producers.² He also supports legislation addressing scams against seniors and assistance for victims of violent crime.²

Record and controversies

Election brief complaints

The 65 Project filed a professional ethics complaint in September 2022 over Schmidt's participation as Kansas attorney general in Texas's unsuccessful challenge to the 2020 presidential election, alleging dishonest advocacy and frivolous legal claims.⁴ The state disciplinary office had dismissed an earlier complaint in March 2021, saying the facts did not demonstrate a violation of Kansas attorney ethics rules.⁴ That review described his explanation that he sought consideration of separation of powers questions; his office rejected the new complaint as politically motivated and expected another dismissal.⁴

The later disposition of the September 2022 complaint was not verified in this review.

Legal contract donations

Kansas Reflector reported in 2022 that twenty law firms with contracts from the attorney general's office had collectively donated more than $46,000 across Schmidt's campaigns.⁵ End Citizens United criticized the arrangement as a potential conflict of interest.⁵ His campaign pointed to competitive bidding and Department of Administration approval, and noted that several firms also donated to Democratic Governor Laura Kelly.⁵

A formal finding that contributions determined contract awards was not verified in this review.

Natural gas interest

Kansas Reflector reported in December 2021 that Schmidt held an interest in a natural gas lease while his attorney general's office investigated possible industry price gouging following that year's winter freeze.⁶ Public Citizen called for more detailed financial disclosure and recusal, citing a potential conflict.⁶ His campaign said he had met legal disclosure requirements and that landowners played no role in gas marketing or price setting and were not under investigation.⁶ His office also denied that its investigation was proceeding more slowly than those in other states.⁶

The report explicitly said none of his critics accused him of violating Kansas law.⁶ A formal conflict finding was not verified in this review.

Arts funding claim

During the 2022 governor's campaign, Schmidt demanded an apology from Governor Laura Kelly over Wichita event promotions featuring drag performances and raised the possibility that state money had supported them.⁷ The Commerce Department and organizers said grants to the host organizations were not used for those events, and one organizer said an arts commission credit on its promotion was a mistake.⁷ Schmidt questioned whether the state could have been unaware that its logos would appear and said the new story's facts were still being established.⁷