Three Kansas House incumbents — two Democrats, one Republican — fall in primary election

Three veteran members of the Kansas House fall to challengers in the August primary election, and another lawmaker holds onto seat by mere 26 votes.

By: Tim Carpenter

Outlets: Kansas Reflector

Published: August 5, 2026

Words: 1,045

Last Updated: 1 day, 17 hours ago

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TOPEKA — Rep. Henry Helgerson’s lengthy career in the Kansas Legislature will come to an involuntary end after losing the Democratic primary election as three Kansas House incumbents fell short in campaigns for reelection.

Helgerson, the most prominent fiscal conservative among House Democrats, was ousted Tuesday by Brandon Whipple, a former Wichita mayor who previously served in the House. Elsewhere in Wichita, Democratic Rep. Ford Carr, a two-term incumbent, lost the primary to Bonita Gooch, …

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