Who is running for Kansas State Board of Education, District 9 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Kansas State Board of Education, District 9 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in State Board of Education District 9.
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 | Heather GuernseyDemocrat | Destry BrownRepublican |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and books | Locally elected school boardsQuestionnaire answer · low | Locally elected school boardsSaid · low |
Heather Guernsey
DemocratChanute USD 413 school board member; former elementary teacher
Heather Guernsey is a Democrat, a former elementary teacher with a master's degree in curriculum and instruction, and a member of the Chanute USD 413 school board12. She faces Republican Destry Brown in an open seat for District 9 in southeast Kansas34.
Where they stand 1 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Curriculum and booksLocally elected school boardslow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In the KMUW and Wichita Eagle questionnaire she wrote that districts and parents have always been able to work together and that "local control aids in this effort." (2026-07-20) source
No public position found on: School choice, Religion in schools, DEI programs.
Destry Brown
RepublicanRepublican nominee, State Board of Education District 9
Destry Brown is the Republican nominee for District 9, which covers most of southeast Kansas; Brown won the August 4 primary over Kristian Gerken and Renee Slinkard with 43 percent of the vote12. Brown did not answer the KMUW and Wichita Eagle voter guide questionnaire3. The seat is open34.
Where they stand 1 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Curriculum and booksLocally elected school boardslow
Said · low confidence- Told The Wichita Eagle that parents should be able to see the curriculum being taught, have open discussions with teachers and administrators, and give input on curriculum through committees or open meetings before adoption. (2026) source
No public position found on: School choice, Religion in schools, DEI programs.
Last reviewed 2026-10-07. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.