Candidate · November 3, 2026

Derek Schmidt

On the ballot for U.S. House · Kansas's 2nd District

RepublicanIncumbent
raised through Oct 14, 2026
$1.8M
cash on hand
$458K
issues with public statements
3

§1On the ballot

Why this matters: This is exactly how the candidate appears on your ballot, from the state's official candidate list.

OfficeU.S. House · Kansas's 2nd District1,2
Party on the ballotRepublican1,2,3
StatusIncumbent — Currently represents Kansas's 2nd District in the U.S. House.4
Also on the ballot

§2Who they are

Why this matters: Background and experience help you judge how someone might do the job. These come from public records and the candidate's own materials.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Derek Schmidt has represented Kansas's 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives since January 3, 2025.5,6 He previously served 12 years as the 44th attorney general of Kansas, and before that served in the Kansas Senate, where he was chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senate Majority Leader.5,6 He served as president of the National Association of Attorneys General from 2017 to 2018 and, as attorney general, argued three Kansas cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.5,6 He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and the House Small Business Committee.5,6 He studied at Independence Community College and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas, a master's degree in international politics from the University of Leicester, a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a doctorate in law from the University of Kansas School of Law.5,6

Why they say they're running

His campaign website says his top priority as a representative is ensuring that Kansas has a strong voice in the nation's capital, and that he will continue to fight for a stronger, safer and more prosperous Kansas.6

Service in Congress since 2023

  • 2025–nowU.S. Representative, KS-24

Websites and accounts

§3What they've said on the issues

Why this matters: These are positions the candidate has stated publicly — on their campaign website or in public statements — summarized in plain words with a link to where they said it. Issues they haven't spoken about publicly are left out.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Each issue has its own range of views. A position is marked on that range only when the candidate's own statement clearly matches one option; there is no overall left–right score.

Taxes and Budget

Federal spending levels

His campaign website says he is fighting to curb runaway federal spending and lower inflation.6

Federal income tax rates

His campaign website says he is fighting to extend tax relief for Kansas families, small businesses, farmers and ranchers through the Working Families Tax Cut.6

Immigration

Immigration enforcement inside the country

His campaign website lists cosponsoring and passing the Laken Riley Act and Sarah's Law, which it presents as border security measures, and backing legislation to deport fraudsters who are not U.S. citizens, among his work in Congress.6

§4Popular bills that never got a vote

Why this matters: Many bills with wide support from both parties never reach a vote, so no member of Congress is ever on record for or against them. Signing on as a sponsor or cosponsor is the only public record of support.

While Derek Schmidt served, these bills had broad support from both parties but never reached a floor vote. No officeholder ever had to vote on them. Derek Schmidt sponsored or cosponsored 16 of the 26. How bills die without a vote.

See all 26

§5Money

Why this matters: Campaigns report where their money comes from and how much they have left. Outside groups that spend on their own, without coordinating with the campaign, report that too.

Reported to the Federal Election Commission for the 2025–2026 election cycle, through October 14, 2026.35

Raised$1,772,989
Spent$1,353,904
Cash on hand$457,586
Debts owed by the campaign$2,255

Where the money came from

Individual donors$1.1M · 60%
PACs and other political committees$643K · 36%
Transfers from the candidate's other committees$52K · 3%
Other receipts (other loans, refunds, interest)$15K · 1%

§6Financial disclosures

Why this matters: Federal candidates and members of Congress must report their assets, income, debts and outside jobs, and members must report stock trades. These filings show possible conflicts of interest.