Republican · Kansas governor · 2026
Ty Masterson
Masterson and his wife, Marlo, raised six children.
Biography
Ty Masterson has played fantasy football and shared dinners with Democratic legislator Dinah Sykes, experiences he cited when explaining how he builds relationships across party lines.1 Born and raised in Butler County, he and his wife, Marlo, have six children and seven grandchildren.2
He left Kansas State without a degree, saying he needed to earn money for his family, and worked as a contractor and homebuilder.3 His working life has also included a position at Wichita State University, alongside his small business and legislative work.1 He has spoken about living with dyslexia and attention deficit disorder, and has served on a state task force addressing dyslexia.1
Masterson started in Andover local government, joined the Kansas House in 2005 and moved to the Senate in 2009, eventually becoming its president.1 He previously chaired the Senate Ways and Means Committee and worked with Laura Kelly while she was its ranking Democrat.1 In 2024, he helped negotiate a property and income tax package with Kelly and House Speaker Dan Hawkins.3
Against Democrat Cindy Holscher, Masterson is seeking to return the governorship to Republican hands after Kelly’s two terms.3 His property tax plan would cap annual growth in assessed values at 3%, requiring a constitutional amendment and setting up a debate over tax relief and local government control.3
Record and controversies
Business failure and bankruptcy
Wichita State employment complaint dismissed
A complaint alleging Masterson campaigned while drawing his Wichita State salary was dismissed before the August 2026 primary.5 The dispute concerned his GoCreate duties and the time he spent at the workshop.5 Masterson said the criticism was political; Wichita State said his responsibilities included planning and work across locations, and defended his engagement.5 The reported salary was $217,350, but unpaid leave during legislative sessions reduced the amount actually received.4
New speech retaliation lawsuit
Former state employee Katie Allen sued Masterson and two other legislators in October 2026, alleging they pressured her firing and publicized her personal number after her Facebook comment about Charlie Kirk’s killing.6 Allen had written “Well deserved,” then deleted the comment and apologized.6 Masterson’s campaign called the lawsuit political and said he opposed celebrating political violence.6 These are allegations in a newly filed suit, not a court finding that he violated her rights.6