Jeff Klemp seeks Kansas lieutenant governor on Masterson ticket

State Sen. Jeff Klemp, a Lansing Republican, is running for Kansas lieutenant governor on a ticket with gubernatorial candidate Ty Masterson in the Nov. 3 general election.

Klemp faces Democrat KC Ohaebosim in the race.

Kansas Senate President Masterson announced Klemp as his running mate June 1, according to KSNT. Masterson holds a Trump endorsement for the governor's race, KSNT reported.

The Masterson-Klemp ticket advanced from the Republican primary on Aug. 4, after former Gov. Jeff Colyer dropped out of the gubernatorial race, according to the Kansas Reflector. The race will appear on ballots statewide, including in Sedgwick County.

Candidate information

Name: Jeffrey Christopher Klemp
Party: Republican
Residence: Lansing, Kansas (Leavenworth County)
Current office: Kansas state senator, District 5 (2025–present), representing parts of Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties
Spouse: Joni Klemp, according to Kansas Legislature records
Education: Master of business administration, Baker University; bachelor's degree in economics, University of Kansas; Leavenworth High School

Klemp won the 2024 Kansas Senate District 5 general election by 31 votes following a recount by the Kansas secretary of state, defeating incumbent Democrat Jeff Pittman 15,732 to 15,701, according to Wikipedia.

Experience and public service

Vice chair, Transportation Committee, Kansas State Senate (2025), according to Kansas Legislature records
City council candidate, Ward 2, City of Lansing (2011), according to Wikipedia
President and CEO, Century Van Lines (2010–present), according to BallotReady
Principal, Kinetic Retail Group (2022–present), according to BallotReady
Chief operations officer, Commercial Automation (2016–2022), according to BallotReady
Chief operating officer and director, Basil Street Cafe Inc. (August 2020–May 2022); chief restructuring officer at the same company (May 2022–2022), according to Wikipedia
Principal, Impact Management Consulting LLC (2013–2018), according to BallotReady

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Klemp's responses on his campaign website via BallotReady. They reflect the candidate's own statements.

Taxes and budget: Klemp said he believes tax policy should create long-lasting, high-paying jobs, make the Kansas economy competitive nationally and let taxpayers keep more of their money.

Education: Klemp said he supports expanding opportunities for Kansas students by ensuring educational institutions focus on advancing education that supports business growth. That includes investing in vocational training, STEM programs and other initiatives that prepare students for the workforce, according to his campaign.

Public safety: Klemp said he advocates for legislative backing for first responders and supports law enforcement, emergency responders and community crime-prevention initiatives.

Veterans and military: Klemp said he is committed to improving welfare and quality of life for veterans, their families, active-duty military members and military spouses.

Immigration: Klemp said he supports legislation aimed at securing the southern border to stem the flow of fentanyl.