Kobach and Mann to Face Kansas Attorney General Race

The 2026 attorney general election features a rematch between incumbent Kris Kobach and challenger Chris Mann.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Criminal Justice

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of the Kansas State Capitol dome silhouette, representing the gravity of the upcoming state attorney general election. — Incumbent Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach will challenge former prosecutor Chris Mann for the state attorney general seat in 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your state's attorney general prioritize challenging federal policies or supporting local law enforcement operations?

Incumbent Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach will face former prosecutor Chris Mann in the state's 2026 attorney general election. The two candidates previously competed for the seat in 2022.

Why it matters

The race centers on divergent approaches to criminal justice, with Kobach emphasizing federal litigation and fentanyl enforcement, while Mann focuses on local law enforcement resources and reducing political lawsuits.

In the 2022 attorney general race, Kris Kobach won by a margin of 16,000 votes. Currently, the attorney general's office has secured more than $320 million in restitution and settlements.

The players

Kris Kobach

He is the current Kansas Attorney General who previously served as the Kansas Secretary of State.

Chris Mann

He is a former Wyandotte County prosecutor and attorney with the Kansas Securities Commission.

The details

Kris Kobach has prioritized the establishment of a fentanyl task force and federal challenges, whereas Chris Mann, a former Wyandotte County prosecutor, emphasizes domestic violence prevention and victim advocacy. Kansas currently reports a crime rate of 22.5 index crimes per 1,000 people annually.

2011-2019: Kris Kobach served as Kansas secretary of state.
2022: Kris Kobach defeated Chris Mann in the attorney general race.
2023: Kris Kobach became attorney general.
October 6: Kris Kobach and Chris Mann participated in a debate.
2026: Kris Kobach and Chris Mann face each other in election.

Legal Context

This election centers on competing strategies to address the state's baseline crime rate of 22.5 index crimes per 1,000 people. The candidates' platforms reflect broader debates in Kansas regarding the appropriate scope of attorney general litigation and criminal enforcement.

The election outcomes will determine the state's future priorities regarding fentanyl enforcement and the volume of federal litigation against the government. Voters can expect the candidates' policy shifts to impact local law enforcement support and the prioritization of specific crimes like domestic violence and elder abuse.

The takeaway

Voters face a choice between an incumbent focused on aggressive federal litigation and a challenger pledging to shift resources toward local victim advocacy. Understanding these distinct approaches is key to assessing how the attorney general's office will operate through 2026.