2014 Kansas gubernatorial election
The 2014 Kansas gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the Governor of Kansas, concurrently with the election of Kansas' Class II U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
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![]() County results Brownback: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Davis: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Elections in Kansas | ||||||||||
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Ballot measures
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Incumbent Republican Governor Sam Brownback ran for re-election to a second term.[1] He was opposed in the general election by Democrat Paul Davis, the Minority Leader of the Kansas House of Representatives, and Libertarian attorney Keen Umbehr.
The election was viewed as a referendum on Brownback's aggressive tax cutting initiatives and his conservative values.[2] The consensus among The Cook Political Report, Governing, The Rothenberg Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, Daily Kos Elections, and others was that the contest was a tossup. Brownback won the election by a margin of 3.7%. Davis carried seven counties, all in eastern Kansas, five of which are home to four-year state universities.
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Sam Brownback, incumbent Governor[1]
- Running mate: Jeff Colyer, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
- Jennifer Winn, businesswoman[3]
Declined
- Kris Kobach, Secretary of State of Kansas (running for re-election)[6]
- Steve Morris, former President of the Kansas Senate[7]
- Sandy Praeger, Kansas Insurance Commissioner (endorsed Paul Davis)[8][9]
Polling
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Sam Brownback |
Jennifer Winn |
Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SurveyUSA | July 17–22, 2014 | 691 | ± 3.7% | 60% | 30% | 9% |
SurveyUSA | June 19–23, 2014 | 508 | ± 4.4% | 55% | 37% | 8% |
Results

Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Sam Brownback (incumbent) | 166,687 | 63.2 | |
Republican | Jennifer Winn | 96,907 | 36.7 | |
Total votes | 263,594 | 100 |
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Paul Davis, Minority Leader of the Kansas House of Representatives[11]
- Running mate: Jill Docking, businesswoman, former member of the Kansas Board of Regents and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1996 (lost to Brownback)[12]
Declined
- Carl Brewer, mayor of Wichita[9]
- Jill Docking, businesswoman, former member of the Kansas Board of Regents and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1996 (running for Lieutenant Governor)[13][14]
- Tom Holland, state senator and nominee for governor in 2010[7]
- Deb Miller, former secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation[7]
- Stephen Morris, former Republican President of the Kansas Senate[7]
- Mark Parkinson, former governor, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living[9]
- Sandy Praeger, Republican Kansas Insurance Commissioner[8][9]
- Joe Reardon, former mayor of Kansas City[9]
- Joshua Svaty, vice president of The Land Institute and former Secretary of Agriculture of Kansas[7]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Paul Davis | 66,357 | 100 | |
Total votes | 66,357 | 100 |
Libertarian nomination
Candidates
General election
Debates
- Complete video of debate, September 6, 2014 - C-SPAN
- Complete video of debate, October 21, 2014 - C-SPAN
Endorsements
Sam Brownback (R) |
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Paul Davis (D) |
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Predictions
Source | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report[26] | Tossup | November 3, 2014 |
Sabato's Crystal Ball[27] | Lean D | November 3, 2014 |
Rothenberg Political Report[28] | Tossup | November 3, 2014 |
Real Clear Politics[29] | Tossup | November 3, 2014 |
Polling
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Sam Brownback (R) |
Paul Davis (D) |
Keen Umbehr (L) |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling | November 1–3, 2014 | 963 | ± 3.2% | 45% | 46% | 4% | — | 4% |
47% | 48% | — | — | 3% | ||||
Public Policy Polling | October 30–31, 2014 | 752 | ± ? | 44% | 48% | 5% | — | 3% |
YouGov | October 25–31, 2014 | 1,137 | ± 4.8% | 39% | 38% | 2% | 1% | 21% |
Fox News | October 28–30, 2014 | 907 | ± 3% | 42% | 48% | 4% | <1% | 5% |
Survey USA | October 22–26, 2014 | 623 | ± 4% | 43% | 46% | 5% | — | 7% |
CBS News/NYT/YouGov | October 16–23, 2014 | 1,973 | ± 4% | 43% | 40% | — | 1% | 16% |
NBC News/Marist | October 18–22, 2014 | 757 LV | ± 3.6% | 44% | 45% | 5% | 1% | 6% |
1,055 RV | ± 3% | 43% | 43% | 6% | 1% | 7% | ||
Rasmussen Reports | October 20–21, 2014 | 960 | ± 3% | 45% | 52% | — | 1% | 2% |
Gravis Marketing | October 20–21, 2014 | 1,124 | ± 3% | 44% | 49% | — | — | 7% |
Monmouth University | October 16–19, 2014 | 429 | ± 4.7% | 45% | 50% | — | 2% | 5% |
Remington Research | October 9–12, 2014 | 1,091 | ± 2.97% | 48% | 45% | 3% | — | 4% |
Public Policy Polling | October 9–12, 2014 | 1,081 | ± 3% | 42% | 42% | 6% | — | 10% |
44% | 45% | — | — | 12% | ||||
Fox News | October 4–7, 2014 | 702 | ± 3.5% | 46% | 40% | 2% | 2% | 11% |
CNN/ORC | October 2–6, 2014 | 687 | ± 3.5% | 49% | 49% | — | — | 2% |
SurveyUSA | October 2–5, 2014 | 549 | ± 4.3% | 42% | 47% | 4% | — | 7% |
Gravis Marketing | September 30–October 1, 2014 | 850 | ± 3% | 40% | 48% | — | — | 12% |
NBC News/Marist | September 27–October 1, 2014 | 636 LV | ± 3.9% | 43% | 44% | 4% | 1% | 7% |
1,097 RV | ± 3% | 41% | 43% | 5% | 1% | 10% | ||
CBS News/NYT/YouGov | September 20–October 1, 2014 | 2,013 | ± 3% | 45% | 42% | — | 0% | 12% |
Suffolk University | September 27–30, 2014 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 41.6% | 45.8% | 6% | — | 6.6% |
Fort Hays State University | September 10–27, 2014 | 685 | ± 3.8% | 36.5% | 38.8% | 8.5% | — | 16% |
Remington Research | September 23, 2014 | 625 | ± 3.91% | 44% | 46% | 5% | — | 5% |
Rasmussen Reports | September 16–17, 2014 | 750 | ± 4% | 43% | 47% | — | 4% | 6% |
Fox News | September 14–16, 2014 | 604 | ± 4% | 41% | 45% | 4% | — | 8% |
Public Policy Polling | September 11–14, 2014 | 1,328 | ± 2.7% | 38% | 42% | 7% | — | 14% |
39% | 45% | — | — | 15% | ||||
KSN/SurveyUSA | September 4–7, 2014 | 555 | ± 4.2% | 40% | 47% | 5% | — | 7% |
CBS News/NYT/YouGov | August 18–September 2, 2014 | 839 | ± 5% | 47% | 40% | — | 2% | 11% |
SurveyUSA | August 20–23, 2014 | 560 | ± 4.2% | 40% | 48% | 5% | — | 6% |
Public Policy Polling | August 14–17, 2014 | 903 | ± 3.3% | 37% | 39% | 9% | — | 15% |
Rasmussen Reports | August 6–7, 2014 | 750 | ± 4% | 41% | 51% | — | 3% | 5% |
CBS News/NYT/YouGov | July 5–24, 2014 | 1,274 | ± 6.1% | 52% | 40% | — | 3% | 5% |
SurveyUSA | July 17–22, 2014 | 1,208 | ± 2.9% | 40% | 48% | 5% | — | 7% |
SurveyUSA | June 19–23, 2014 | 1,068 | ± 3.1% | 41% | 47% | — | 5% | 7% |
Rasmussen Reports | April 16–17, 2014 | 750 | ± 4% | 47% | 40% | — | 6% | 7% |
Public Policy Polling | April 1–2, 2014 | 886 | ± 3.1% | 41% | 45% | — | — | 14% |
Public Policy Polling | February 18–20, 2014 | 693 | ± 3.7% | 40% | 42% | — | — | 18% |
Wilson Perkins Allen | January 29, 2014 | ? | ± ? | 42% | 31% | — | — | 27% |
SurveyUSA | October 23–24, 2013 | 511 | ± 4.4% | 39% | 43% | — | 12% | 6% |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Sam Brownback (incumbent) | 433,196 | 49.82% | -13.46% | |
Democratic | Paul Davis | 401,100 | 46.13% | +13.92% | |
Libertarian | Keen Umbehr | 35,206 | 4.05% | +1.37% | |
Total votes | '869,502' | '100.0%' | N/A | ||
Republican hold |
References
- "Brownback running for re-election". Lawrence Journal-World. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- "Brownback defeats Davis in Kansas Governor's race". Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2014-11-14.
- "Wichita woman enters governor's race". KAKE. January 12, 2014. Archived from the original on March 25, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- Benchaabane, Nassim (June 2, 2014). "Wichita candidate for governor announces new running mate". The Wichita Eagle. Archived from the original on June 26, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
- "Wikileaks Soldier to Run for Ks Lt. Governor". The Kansas City Star. February 11, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- "In case there's any doubt: Kris Kobach running for re-election in 2014". Midwest Democracy. 1 February 2013. Archived from the original on February 6, 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
- Hanna, John (31 July 2013). "Ex-Kan. ag chief not thinking about gov.'s race". The Wichita Eagle. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
- Kraske, Steve (23 June 2013). "Sandy Praeger finds herself an outsider among Kansas Republicans". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on June 27, 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- Loomis, Burdett (4 August 2013). "Burdett Loomis: Who will take on Brownback?". The Wichita Eagle. Archived from the original on 16 September 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- "2014 Primary Election Official Vote Totals" (PDF). Kansas Secretary of State. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- Carpenter, Tim (September 17, 2013). "Davis launches Democratic campaign for Kansas governor". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Archived from the original on September 17, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- Milburn, John (October 22, 2013). "Davis teams with Docking in Kansas governor's race". Kentucky.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
- "Brownback and His Opponents". Morning Sun. 16 April 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- John Hanna (August 8, 2013). "Paul Davis forms committee for Kansas governor's race". The Wichita Eagle. Archived from the original on August 11, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- Carpenter, Tim (August 29, 2013). "Alma lawyer seeks Libertarian nomination for governor". CJOnline. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
- Kelsey Ryan (May 27, 2014). "Kansas Man Serving as Dad's Running Mate in Governor's Race". Governing. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- Nonpartisan report: Davis' tax-freeze plan stalls $20M in Brownback-endorsed cuts
- Former congresswoman endorses Brownback
- "Wyandotte County Democrats endorse Gov. Brownback". KSN-TV. September 26, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- "Former CEO in Wichita, Touts Brownback". Archived from the original on 2014-10-20. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
- NFIB endorses Brownback for second term as Governor
- Kansas Rifle Association Endorses Brownback
- "Former GOP, Dem lieutenant governors join Davis campaign". The Topeka Capital-Journal. June 30, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- "Republicans for Kansas Values – Biographies and Memberships". Paul Davis for Governor. July 17, 2014. Archived from the original on July 19, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- "Who are the 104?". The Topeka Capital-Journal. July 17, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- "2014 Governor Race Ratings for November 3, 2014". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- "2014 Gubernatorial Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- "2014 Elections Map - 2014 Governors Races". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
- "Kansas Secretary of State 2014 General Election Official Vote Totals" (PDF). Retrieved 2014-12-14.