Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Johnson County businessman Philip Sarnecki, a candidate for the Republican Party's nomination for governor, criticizes Senate President Ty Masterson, right, who is also seeking the GOP nomination for governor, and House Speaker Dan Hawkins for failing to draw new congressional maps that would make it difficult for Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids to hang onto her seat. Hawkins and Masterson are pictured during a Jan. 8, 2026, legislative hearing. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)...

Outgoing Kansas Supreme Court Justice Marla Luckert passes the gavel to new Chief Justice Eric Rosen during a ceremony Thursday at the Kansas Judicial Center. Luckert is retiring from the state’s highest court. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) By Tim Carpenter Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — Kansas Supreme Court Justice Eric Rosen formally stepped into the job of chief justice Thursday by framing the delicate work of the state’s highest court as a crucial public service and proclaiming the...

The flags of the United States and Kansas fly on the south side of the Kansas Capitol several days before the Jan. 12, 2026, start of the legislative session. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is scheduled to give her final State of the State speech Tuesday to a joint session of the Legislature. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) By Tim Carpenter Kansas Reflector TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature’s Republican supermajority convenes Monday for the final session with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly...