Kobach to Face Mann Again in 2026 Attorney General Race

Incumbent Attorney General Kris Kobach will challenge Chris Mann once more in the upcoming 2026 election cycle.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of the Kansas State Capitol dome, evoking the institutional nature of state political elections. — Incumbent Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach will challenge former prosecutor Chris Mann in a rematch for the state office in the 2026 election. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should the attorney general's office prioritize non-partisan legal work over promoting specific political agendas?

Incumbent Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is set to face Chris Mann in the 2026 election. The two candidates previously competed for the same office in 2022.

Why it matters

The contest highlights a central debate between Kobach, who emphasizes his record of achieving the lowest crime rate in 56 years, and Mann, who is campaigning to eliminate partisanship from the attorney general's office.

Kris Kobach defeated Chris Mann by 1.5 percentage points in the 2022 election. Kobach is currently highlighting a state crime rate that he reports as the lowest in 56 years.

The players

Kris Kobach

He is the incumbent Attorney General of Kansas and a veteran of state politics who previously served as Secretary of State.

Chris Mann

He is a former police officer and prosecutor in Wyandotte County who is running to remove partisanship from the attorney general's office.

The details

Kris Kobach brings a long political history to the race, having served as the chair of the Kansas Republican Party and as Kansas Secretary of State. His challenger, Chris Mann, leverages his professional background as a former Lawrence police officer, a Wyandotte County prosecutor, and a staffer for the Kansas Securities Commission.

Kris Kobach served as chair of the Kansas Republican Party from 2007 to 2009.
Kris Kobach began his tenure as Kansas Secretary of State in 2010.
Kris Kobach was defeated in the 2018 general election for governor.
Kris Kobach lost the primary election for the U.S. Senate in 2020.
Kris Kobach defeated Chris Mann in the 2022 attorney general election.

Political Context

Opponents argue that the incumbent's policy approach creates unnecessary division within the legal system. They maintain that the attorney general's office should prioritize non-partisan law enforcement over political branding.

Voters will decide the direction of the state's top legal office based on the contrasting platforms of the two candidates. The outcome will determine whether the current crime policy remains in place or if the office shifts toward a different focus.

The takeaway

This race serves as a high-stakes rematch that highlights the shifting financial momentum between the two candidates. Voters should monitor upcoming fundraising disclosures to see how donor support evolves as the 2026 election draws nearer.