Who is running for Kansas House, District 17 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Kansas House, District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Kansas House District 17.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Jo Ella HoyeDemocrat | Jim EschrichRepublican |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Raise it to around $15Official action · medium | No public position |
| Healthcare | Keep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenSaid · high | No public position |
| Guns | Add universal background checks and red-flag lawsSaid · medium | Keep current laws and enforce what is already on the booksSaid · low |
| Marijuana | Medical use onlyOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Death penalty | Abolish it and use life without parole insteadOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Drug prices | Focus on competition, generics, and price transparency instead of price settingVoted · low | No public position |
Jo Ella Hoye
Democrat · IncumbentKansas state representative (District 17, Lenexa); House Minority Whip
Jo Ella Hoye, a Democrat from Lenexa, has represented Kansas House District 17 since 202112. Her campaign site lists her as House Minority Whip and a member of the Appropriations and Transportation committees3. She faces Republican Jim Eschrich on November 32.
Where they stand 6 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
HealthcareKeep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenhigh
Said · high confidence- Her campaign site says "Kansas must close the coverage gap," says "Kansas Lawmakers failed to pass Medicaid Expansion again and again," and asks voters to help her "keep working to bring those dollars back." (2026) source
- Is a named cosponsor of HB 2600 (2026), which expands Medicaid eligibility to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. (2026) source
GunsAdd universal background checks and red-flag lawsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Her campaign site says Kansas should require background checks on private gun sales, a permit and training to carry concealed, and says she opposes bills to arm teachers or allow guns in K-12 classrooms. (2026) source
Minimum wageRaise it to around $15medium
Official action · medium confidence- Is a named cosponsor of HB 2151 (2025), which raises the Kansas minimum wage to $15 an hour. (2025) source
MarijuanaMedical use onlymedium
Official action · medium confidence- Is a named cosponsor of HB 2678 (2026), the Kansas medical cannabis act. (2026) source
Death penaltyAbolish it and use life without parole insteadmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Is a named sponsor of HB 2300 (2021), which would abolish the death penalty and create the crime of aggravated murder (introduced 2021-02-09; Rep. Schreiber is the original sponsor). (2021-02-09) source
Drug pricesFocus on competition, generics, and price transparency instead of price settinglow
Voted · low confidence- Voted yes on SB 20 (2026), which sets registration and rules for pharmacy benefit managers (House conference report 104 to 17). (2026-03-23) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Business regulation, Abortion, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Jim Eschrich
RepublicanProfessional focus group moderator and market research business owner (Lenexa)
Jim Eschrich, a Republican from Lenexa, is running for Kansas House District 17 against incumbent Democrat Jo Ella Hoye1. His site says he has lived in Johnson County for 38 of the last 39 years and worked as a professional focus group moderator3. His platform includes property tax caps, a data center plan, a teachers' bill of rights and gun theft penalties2.
Where they stand 1 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
GunsKeep current laws and enforce what is already on the bookslow
Said · low confidence- His campaign platform says he is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and proposes narrow measures aimed at criminals, such as stricter rules on juvenile felons and tougher penalties for gun theft. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-10-07. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.