KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The year's race for Kansas governor has the second-largest field since 1908 -- seven Republicans and five Democrats are on the ballot.
With a field so large, candidates are now paying for more ads on TV and launching bus tours. It's an effort to win your vote for the primary.
We are in Southwest Kansas today on the #TeamKobach Victory Tour! Join us in Garden City, Liberal and Dodge. Details on my Facebook events page. #ksleg #ksgov pic.twitter.com/Kivm15d4Ff
— Kris W. Kobach (@KrisKobach1787) August 1, 2018
Ken and Deb have proudly supported excellent teaching for over 12 years with the Innovative Teacher of the Year Award in Blue Valley! #ks4ks #kenandjen #ksleg #bvef pic.twitter.com/B2VuuqdKkz
— Ken Selzer, CPA (@Kansans4Selzer) August 1, 2018
Stopped by Comanche County Hospital in Coldwater and met with Nancy Zimmerman CEO and Lisa Brooks CFO and staff. Beautiful hospital that needs our appreciation and support with Medicaid expansion. Picture in the background is the late Dr Glenn of Protection. JB #OneKansas #ksleg pic.twitter.com/kshH74MUmX
— Jim Barnett (@BarnettForKS) July 20, 2018
I got to try virtual painting and virtual welding in the @WichitaState Tech mobile lab. I saw firsthand how Kansans can earn certificates in high-paying careers that are in demand all across the state. These are the kinds of jobs that will keep our kids in Kansas! #ksleg pic.twitter.com/mUF9HTMsv9
— Governor Jeff Colyer (@GovJeffColyer) July 31, 2018
University of Kansas political science professor Patrick Miller said the crowded field could be the reason why some candidates and their running mates are taking unconventional measures. Specifically, using their own money to self-fund their campaigns.
"A lot of big donors want to support the party and they don't want to intervene in the primaries," said Miller.
Independent Greg Orman has spent $650,000 of his own money on his campaign.
Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach's running mate, Wink Hartman, has given or loaned the campaign more than $1.5 million.
"It is bizarrely unusual. Extraordinary unusual," said Miller.
The crowded field, Miller said, could also have an impact on how many votes a candidate gets —especially on the Republican side.
Gov. Jeff Colyer has launched an ad campaign, warning voters "a vote for [Ken Selzer, Jim Barnett or Patrick Kucera] is essentially a vote for Kris Kobach."
These candidates are sometimes referred to as spoiler candidates, who draw votes from a major candidate with similar politics and could cause a strong opponent to consequently win.
Miller said this happened in the 2016 presidential election with Jill Stein taking voters away from Hillary Clinton.
"In the primary you have four or five candidates splitting the vote, who are all generally conservative," he said, agreeing this could give Kobach an advantage. "If you don't like his personality or his controversy, you might go vote for Jeff Colyer, who is less controversial, or Ken Selzer, Jim Barnett or any of the other candidates.
As the days get closer to primary day, Miller said to expect more knocks at the door, fliers, ads to air on TV and on the radio and so forth.
He said the candidate's final push won't necessarily be about issues but rather their personalities and stylistic differences that separate them from the others.
"In the primaries, that matters," he said.
