Four Democratic challengers unseated Republican incumbents in Wichita-area Kansas House districts on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The wins helped end the GOP's 16-year veto-proof supermajority in the Kansas House, according to the Wichita Eagle. Unofficial results projected a House balance of 68 Republicans and 57 Democrats. Republicans held an 88-to-37 majority heading into the election.
That shift strips Republicans of the two-thirds margin needed to override a governor's veto, a power they held throughout Gov. Laura Kelly's tenure. All results are unofficial.
John Burke, a former Haysville school superintendent and half-time professor at Newman University, won House District 105 with 51% of the vote over Republican incumbent Jill Ann Ward's 49%. The district covers west and southwest Wichita.
"It means people will have to talk to us," Burke told the Eagle. He said a supermajority had allowed Republicans to override the governor's veto.
Mackenzi Truelove, a senior regulatory coordinator in clinical research, unseated Republican incumbent Steve Brunk 51% to 49% in House District 85, covering eastern Sedgwick County and parts of western Butler County. Brunk had served in the House from 2003 to 2016 and returned in 2025, according to Kansas Legislature records.
Candace Landers, a labor liaison, won House District 88 with 56% over Republican incumbent Sandy Pickert's 44%. The district covers southeast Wichita.
Jessica Maldonado, a sales manager, took House District 96 with 54%. Republican incumbent Tom Kessler received 43%, and Libertarian Josef Trotter had 3%. The district covers parts of south Wichita and Haysville.
Both Truelove and Maldonado told the Eagle that Medicaid expansion is a priority. Truelove called it her No. 1 issue, saying the effort has long been blocked by Republican leaders.
Former Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple also won District 83, beating Republican Zachary Werhan.
The governor's race between Democrat Cindy Holscher and Republican Ty Masterson remained unresolved as of Wednesday, Nov. 4.
