Who is running for Kansas House, District 26 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Kansas House, District 26 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Kansas House District 26.
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 | Chip VanHoudenRepublican | Laura JohnsonDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | No public position | Keep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenSaid · low |
| Immigration | Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadyVoted · low | No public position |
| Housing and growth | Allow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downVoted · low | No public position |
| Gender care for minors | No, ban these treatments for minorsVoted · medium | No public position |
| Campaign finance | Raise or remove contribution limits and protect donors' privacyVoted · medium | No public position |
| Drug prices | Focus on competition, generics, and price transparency instead of price settingVoted · low | No public position |
| China policy | Compete, but limit only sensitive tech, military-linked firms and land near basesVoted · low | No public position |
Chip VanHouden
Republican · IncumbentKansas state representative (District 26, Spring Hill)
Chip VanHouden, a Republican from Spring Hill, has represented Kansas House District 26 since 20252. The Kansas Legislature lists his occupation as "Harvard Med.Tech Sales Rep."1. His campaign site lists economic growth, infrastructure, education and lower taxes as priorities3. He faces Democrat Laura Johnson on November 32.
Where they stand 7 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Gender care for minorsNo, ban these treatments for minorsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 63 (2025), which bars puberty blockers, hormones and surgery for gender transition for minors (House 83 to 35 on 2025-01-31; veto override 85 to 34). (2025-02-18) source
Campaign financeRaise or remove contribution limits and protect donors' privacymedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 2054 (2025), which raises campaign contribution limits and removes party-to-candidate limits in general elections (House 77 to 46; conference report 72 to 52). (2025-03-27) source
ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadylow
Voted · low confidence- Voted yes on SCR 1602 (2025), a non-binding resolution urging the governor to cooperate fully with federal immigration enforcement (House 82 to 35). (2025-03-20) source
Housing and growthAllow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downlow
Voted · low confidence- Voted yes on SB 418 (2026), the By-right Housing Development Act, which allows townhouses, accessory dwelling units and single-family homes that meet existing zoning by streamlined approval (House 97 to 27; the 117 to 5 conference report is not used). (2026-03-18) 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
China policyCompete, but limit only sensitive tech, military-linked firms and land near baseslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted yes both times on SB 9 (2025), which bars foreign principals from countries of concern from holding real estate near military installations and from economic development benefits (House 104 to 18; conference report 98 to 24). (2025-03-26) source
Election rulesNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted yes on SB 4 (2025), which requires advance mail ballots to arrive by 7 p.m. on election day (House 80 to 39; veto override 84 to 41). (2025-03-25) source
- Voted yes on the SAVE Kansas Act, HB 2437 (2026) (House 85 to 39; veto override 84 to 39). (2026-04-09) source
- Voted no on HB 2503 (2026), which repeals the mail ballot election act (House 72 to 50). (2026-02-19) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Policing and crime, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Redistricting, Term limits, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, 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.
Laura Johnson
DemocratAdministrative assistant (Olathe)
Laura Johnson, a Democrat from Olathe, is running for Kansas House District 26 against incumbent Republican Chip VanHouden1. Her campaign site says she was raised in Nebraska and works as an administrative assistant3, and lists fully funding public schools, affordable health care and regulating data centers among her priorities2.
Where they stand 1 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
HealthcareKeep the Affordable Care Act and fix what is brokenlow
Said · low confidence- Her campaign site says "I want to work for greater balance between investing in Kansas healthcare, expanding Medicaid, and making sure medical decisions are made by medical professionals, not corporate interests." (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Abortion, Guns, 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.