Ethan Corson

Ethan Corson lives in Fairway, Kansas.[1] Corson graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School. He earned a B.S. in political science and journalism/communications and a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis.[1][2] He also attended Garden City Community College. Corson's career experience includes working as the chief of staff with the International Trade Administration, an attorney with Blake & Uhlig P.A., and as director and executive secretariat with the U.S. Department of Commerce.[2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong Kansan, public servant, and advocate for working families. I was raised to believe that opportunity, fairness, and community are at the heart of what makes Kansas strong. Those values have guided me throughout my career. I currently serve in the State Senate and proudly represent the community where I grew up.

As a public servant, I’ve focused on the priorities that matter most to families across our state: lowering costs, strengthening public schools, and building an economy where every Kansan can succeed. I’m proud to have worked across the aisle to pass legislation that supports veterans, invests in critical infrastructure, and eliminates the sales tax on groceries.

I’m running to be a common-sense leader for Kansas because I know that when we work together, we can build a future that lifts everyone up. I’ll always listen, lead with integrity, and fight for a brighter and more affordable Kansas.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordability:

I am committed to making Kansas the most affordable state in the country and ensuring that every Kansan can achieve a high quality of life. In the Legislature, I’ve worked with both Republican and Democratic colleagues to eliminate the food sales tax, reduce property taxes, end taxes on Social Security benefits, and deliver targeted tax relief for seniors, veterans, and working families. As Governor, I will continue building on this progress by reducing the strain on family budgets and ensuring Kansans can build their future right here at home.

My Working Families Agenda details concrete policies including tax relief for homeowners and renters, eliminating state taxes on overtime pay, and establishing a child tax credit.Economic growth and opportunity:

I believe Kansas has enormous potential because of the talent and promise of the people who call our state home. To ensure that all Kansans can build fulfilling careers, enjoy a middle-class quality of life, and live in strong communities, we must continue to attract and retain businesses, create good-paying jobs, and support innovation.

Before returning home to Kansas, I worked for the U.S. Department of Commerce and served as Chief of Staff at the International Trade Administration. I will be able to recruit employers, expand economic development, and help Kansans, especially our farmers and producers, access markets and succeed in a global economy.Public education:

As Governor, I will work tirelessly to ensure every child in Kansas has access to an exceptional public education. I attended Kansas public schools from pre-K through Garden City Community College. My oldest son just finished kindergarten in the same school district I attended, and his little brother is following right behind him. The teachers and coaches who supported me shaped who I am today and gave me the foundation to succeed in my career and life.

I believe deeply in the promise of our public schools. We must fully fund them, including special education, respect and support our educators, and ensure every student, no matter their ZIP code, has access to the same strong foundation and the opportunity to thrive.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As the father of two young boys, I understand now more than ever before that education provides a critical foundation for lifelong learning. I want my boys, and all Kansas kids, to have even more opportunities than Kansas public schools gave me, which is why I will always go to bat for Kansas students and educators.

Another area of policy I am personally passionate about is healthcare. Every Kansan should have access to affordable, quality care. I support expanding Medicaid to strengthen rural hospitals, increase access to care, and bring our federal tax dollars back to Kansas. I also support establishing a rural hospital tax credit and policies to recruit and retain more health care professionals in rural communities.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I made Kansas a place where more young people want to build their lives.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Gov. Laura Kelly

Fmr Gov. Kathleen Sebelius

Lt. Gov. David Toland

KS AFL-CIO

UAW 31

SMART-TD

Greater KC Building & Construction Trades Council

KS State Assoc. of Electrical Workers

Tri-County Labor Council of Eastern KS

Topeka Labor Federation

Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council

Professional Paramedics of Johnson Co., IAFF 4885

IBEW 124, 271, 226

Iron Workers 10

Laborers 1290

Pipe Fitters 533

Plumbers 8

Sheet Metal Workers 2

UFCW 2

IUOE 101

Frost Insulators 27

The Next 50

Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes

End Citizens United

KS BOE members Dr. Beryl New & Melanie Haas

State Sen. Pat Pettey

Rep. Jerry Stogsdill

Rep. Lynn Melton

Rep. Rui Xu

The Hon. Anthony Hensley

The Hon. Tom Hawk

Johnson County Sheriff Byron Roberson

Campaign websiteCorson's campaign website stated the following:AffordabilityToo many Kansans are doing everything right and still struggling to get ahead. As a dad with two young kids, Ethan knows what that looks like firsthand: childcare bills, student loans, mortgage payments, groceries, car payments, and the constant pressure of rising costs.Ethan is running for governor to build a Kansas where hard work is rewarded, families can get a fair shake, and opportunity is not reserved for the lucky few. That means access to affordable healthcare, housing, and childcare. Tax relief for working families, not the ultra wealthy. A government that is finally focused on the real financial pressures families face rather than wasting time on political sideshows.Public EducationEthan is a proud product of Kansas public schools, from pre-K through graduation day at Garden City Community College. His oldest son is now a student in the same school district where Ethan grew up. He believes every child in Kansas, across all 105 counties, deserves a great public education. That means fully funding our public schools, including special education funding. Raising pay and providing better retirement plans for our teachers. And if any bill that takes public dollars and puts it in private schools comes across his desk, he will veto it.It also means investing in community colleges, technical colleges, and apprenticeships, because a strong future for Kansas depends on giving young people real paths to success, whether that means a four-year degree, skilled trades training, or workforce credentials that lead to good-paying jobs.Expanding Economic Opportunity to All KansansEconomic opportunity should be available in your community, in a big city or a small town. But too many Kansas families don’t feel like that’s accessible and are leaving our state for better jobs. Ethan wants to build a Kansas where people can build a career, raise a family, and stay for generations. His approach to economic development is rooted in one basic idea: growth should actually benefit Kansas workers and Kansas communities.That means creating good-paying jobs, investing in infrastructure, supporting small businesses, strengthening workforce training, and making sure rural communities are not left behind. With experience helping open markets for American producers at the Department of Commerce, Ethan knows how to attract jobs and investment, and he knows Kansas grows strongest when opportunity reaches every corner of the state. He also understands community development is economic development. That means strong schools, accessible healthcare, and vibrant neighborhoods.Public SafetyPublic safety starts with strong communities, trustworthy institutions, and leaders who take people’s concerns seriously. Kansans deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, their schools, and on the roads they drive every day.That means providing support to first responders. Investing in infrastructure that keeps rural roads safer. Standing up to the federal government and the presence of ICE in Kansas causing chaos in our state.HealthcareEvery Kansan should be able to access quality healthcare without going broke or driving hours just to see a doctor. Ethan has been traveling around the state listening to families, nurses, doctors, and hospital leaders who know the system is under strain, especially in rural Kansas.Ethan believes it is an economic and moral imperative we expand Medicaid. He will never give up the fight to make that a reality. As governor, he will fight to expand access, lower costs, keep rural hospitals open, and bring more providers to underserved communities. Healthcare is not just a policy issue to him. It is about whether Kansas families can get the care they need, when they need it, in the communities they call home.Transparency and Accountability in State GovernmentWorking families deserve a governor who works for them, not special interests or the federal government. Ethan is committed to strengthening ethics rules, reducing conflicts of interest, and curbing the influence of dark money in our state government. As a state senator, he led the charge to ban legislators from trading stocks during the legislative session and becoming lobbyists after leaving office. Ethan is proud to have the endorsement of End Citizens United, who recognize his dedication to bolstering transparency and accountability in Topeka.— Ethan Corson's campaign website (July 14, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

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Ethan Corson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.