Voters at Park High School in Cottage Grove on Nov. 5, 2024. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Before the election results began rolling in, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly took the stage, confident that Democrats could break the long-held Republican supermajority that has thwarted many of her legislative priorities.
“If we do that, you will not only make my life better, you will make the life of every Kansan better,” Kelly told supporters Tuesday.
But despite the governor’s optimism and the efforts of her $2 million political action committee, the GOP retained its veto-proof majority in both the state House and Senate after Democrats failed to flip key suburban seats.
Even before the outcome of the presidential race became clear, Kansas Democrats milling around a hotel ballroom were heard muttering “unbelievable” and “what a disaster” as legislative results trickled in.
Election results in Kansas were indicative of the national strength of Republicans, who not only won the White House in a historic election, but also strengthened their hold on state governments across the union.