Ad Linked Ty Masterson to Brownback Tax Policies
The Democratic Governors Association released a digital spot criticizing the Kansas Senate president's record.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Economic Policy
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The Democratic Governors Association launched a digital advertisement connecting Republican gubernatorial nominee Ty Masterson to former Governor Sam Brownback. The campaign effort highlights past tax policies ahead of the November 3, 2026, election.
Why it matters
The advertisement aims to sway voters by associating Masterson with the legacy of former Governor Sam Brownback, who remains unpopular with 64% of respondents. Masterson, a legislator representing Andover for 20 years, has disputed the accuracy of the commercial.
A 2012 tax policy signed by Sam Brownback shielded over 300,000 business owners from state tax liability while reducing state revenue by $1 billion. Between 2013 and 2016, Kansas recorded a 4.8% GDP growth compared to the 11.9% national average.
The players
Ty Masterson
He serves as the Kansas Senate president and has represented Andover in the Kansas Legislature for 20 years.
Sam Brownback
He is a former governor of Kansas who signed tax legislation in 2012 that was later partially repealed by a bipartisan coalition.
Democratic Governors Association
This organization is a political committee that supports the election of Democratic governors across the United States.
Cindy Holscher
She is the Democratic nominee for the 2026 Kansas gubernatorial election.
The details
The Democratic Governors Association commercial uses combined video clips from a 2017 Kansas Republican Assembly forum and a 2023 High Plains television interview. Masterson characterized the ad as a lie and accused the group of using deceptive video editing to misrepresent his past policy positions.
Timeline
In 2007-2008, Masterson developed a proposal for an income tax ratchet.
In 2012, Sam Brownback signed tax legislation into law.
Between 2013-2016, Kansas gross domestic product grew by 4.8%.
In 2017, legislators voted to repeal the Brownback tax program.
The Kansas gubernatorial election will occur on November 3, 2026.
Macro View
The 2012 Kansas tax legislation remains a central touchstone in state campaign debates for candidates seeking the governorship. This effort to define a candidate's fiscal history mirrors historical patterns where past state tax experiments shape modern electoral strategy.
The ongoing debate over tax policy may influence how Kansans evaluate future gubernatorial proposals regarding state revenue and tax liability. Voters will see these competing narratives continue as the November election date approaches.
The takeaway
Voters are encouraged to research the specific context of legislative proposals cited in political advertisements to distinguish between policy intent and campaign framing. Evaluating the long-term economic outcomes of previous administrations remains a key part of the Kansas gubernatorial process.
Further reading
For more on the historical impact of regional fiscal decisions, visit Economic Policy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kansas Reflector.
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