Kevin Latz

Kevin Latz earned a high school diploma from Lyndon B. Johnson High School, a bachelor's degree from Southwestern University in 1985, an M.D. from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio in 1990, and a graduate degree from Rockhurst University in 2023. His career experience includes working as a physician.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I relocated to Kansas from Texas to complete my medical training in orthopedic surgery at the University of Kansas. Following completion of fellowships in pediatric orthopedics and pediatric and adolescent sports medicine in Toronto and Boston respectively, my pediatric surgeon wife and I returned to Kansas to start a family. We have raised our three children ages 16,18, and 20 in Johnson County, Kansas.

My career as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon has provided a unique perspective on the challenges of being a patient, a parent and an adolescent. I see running for the US Senate as a natural continuation of my advocacy for patients, children and families. I know firsthand the challenges of both delivering and receiving care in our medical system. I have a long standing commitment for health equity, health access and reducing the cost of medical care. As a trauma surgeon, I appreciate the necessity of responsible gun ownership. As a parent, I understand the challenges of raising a child in the 21st century, specifically the challenges of social media, mental health, and the rise of nihilism. As the spouse of a pediatric surgeon, I appreciate the current lack of advocacy for women in DC.

I believe the skills required to be a successful surgeon i.e. the ability to communicate with a patient and their family, gather data, reach a consensus and precisely execute a procedure translate to being a successful senator. Our senate would benefit from more scientist-surgeons.

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?

Healthcare is a human right. The US pays more than twice as much per capita than any other nation. Despite this expenditure, our health outcomes e.g. longevity, obesity, and infant mortality lag behind our peers. The inability to afford to pay their bills and medical bankruptcy prevent patients from seeking care. Patients with commercial insurance still have to navigate the maze of deductibles, co-pays, and trying to determine if their hospital or provider is in their "network". Our healthcare system is serving everyone but the patient. Universal, single payor healthcare is essential.The middle class or working class is at significant risk. The cost of childcare, health insurance, education, housing and now gas makes taking a vacation, owning a home, paying for a child's education beyond high school and eventually retiring difficult if not impossible.

We need to subsidize childcare so that mother's can afford to stay in the work force if they wish, establish universal pre kindergarten, provide universal health care and change the tax code so that owners and shareholders pay their fair share of taxes.Our adolescents and young adults are struggling and at risk. There is a growing sense of nihilism. Social media, a perceived or real sense of lack of opportunity, and lack of connected-ness are some of the causes of this struggling.

Social media Section 230 protection should be revoked. Additionally the use of social media should be significantly limited/regulated to those under 16 years of age. Voluntary service opportunities after high school in a service organization (AmeriCorps) or the military should be plentiful and encouraged. Responsible gun ownership is essential to keeping our young adults safe.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

healthcare, tax reform, civics education in school

Campaign websiteLatz's campaign website stated the following:Key Challenges Facing Kansans TodayDr. Latz approaches policy with a physician's mindset: diagnose the problem accurately, rely on evidence, and implement solutions that heal and strengthen our communities.Affordability and the American Dream"For many Americans, the traditional vision of the American Dream—finding a partner, owning a home, raising children who can receive quality education, and retiring comfortably—has become increasingly unattainable."The erosion of the middle class has led to a society that is rapidly dividing into those who have resources and those who do not, making upward mobility and financial security harder to achieve for most families.To address these challenges, there is a pressing need for policies and programs that support working families and restore economic opportunity. Tax policy should be reformed to reward labor rather than ownership, ensuring that those who work hard can build a stable future.Affordable childcare options and universal pre-kindergarten are essential to help parents balance work and family responsibilities. Increasing the availability of affordable housing is crucial so that more people can put down roots and build equity.Additionally, access to job training and education beyond high school must be both affordable and relevant, equipping individuals with the skills they need to succeed in today's economy. By implementing these measures, it is possible to revive the American Dream for more families and rebuild a strong, thriving middle class.Support for Children and Adolescents"Children and adolescents today face significant challenges, including diminished opportunities and a growing sense of disconnection from a purpose beyond themselves."One major contributing factor is the pervasive influence of social media, which often leads to negative effects on mental health and self-esteem. To address these issues, it is essential to implement strict regulations on social media usage, particularly for individuals under the age of sixteen.Holding social media platforms accountable for their impact on young people is a crucial step in safeguarding their well-being.Additionally, providing the opportunity for a year of national service after high school graduation can have profound benefits. Such an experience can foster self-confidence, encourage personal growth, break down social and cultural barriers, and help instill a sense of purpose in young people.By promoting community engagement and responsibility, national service can play a pivotal role in supporting the development of children and adolescents, preparing them for a successful and fulfilling future.Healthcare: Addressing Costs and Outcomes"The United States spends more on healthcare than any other country, yet the outcomes remain inadequate."Key indicators such as obesity rates, infant and maternal mortality, and overall longevity fall behind those of other well-resourced nations. These disappointing results highlight a fundamental issue: high healthcare expenditures are not translating into better health for the population.Recent cuts to Medicaid have had a particularly negative effect on the most vulnerable groups, including rural communities and hospitals that serve them. These reductions threaten access to essential health services and worsen disparities for those already at risk.Implementing universal healthcare is a crucial step toward reversing these trends. By focusing on prevention and ensuring that all individuals have access to necessary care, it is possible to improve health outcomes and begin to close the gap between healthcare costs and results.Responsible Gun Ownership"The right to bear arms is a fundamental principle, but current regulations are not sufficient to ensure the safe ownership of the approximately 400 million guns in the United States."Mandatory background checks for all gun sales would help prevent firearms from being acquired by individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others.Establishing a federal waiting period for gun purchases can provide a critical window for background checks and help reduce impulsive acts.The use of advanced technology to improve gun locks on new gun purchases would further enhance safety and prevent unauthorized access. By implementing these measures, it is possible to promote responsible gun ownership and enhance public safety without infringing upon individual rights.Immigration"Immigrants play a crucial role in shaping the success of the United States. They have been instrumental in founding and leading numerous Fortune 500 companies, contributing significantly to the nation's economic growth and innovation."Immigrants bring valuable skills, enterprise, and cultural depth to the United States.My political hero, Barbara Jordan — the first Black congresswoman from Texas — offered a thoughtful perspective on immigration. I share much of her view, especially her distinction between welcoming immigrants and supporting expansive immigration policy.Supporting immigrants does not automatically mean supporting higher levels of immigration. Immigration should be understood as a privilege, not a right, and policy should be shaped by the national interest.Thomas Friedman's phrase "high walls and wide gates" captures this balance well: secure borders paired with meaningful opportunities for people who meet the nation's needs and interests.Faith and Civility"My Christian faith shapes the way I approach life and guides my interactions with others. On my best days, I strive to serve as the hands and feet of God by acting in a manner consistent with Matthew 25."I am mindful that our actions set examples for the next generation. It is crucial to conduct ourselves with integrity and humility, always remembering that our children observe and learn from how we treat others and solve problems. Civil discourse, particularly with those with differing viewpoints is essential if we are to change the direction of our country.Reproductive Rights"Every Kansan deserves access to safe, legal reproductive healthcare. These are deeply personal decisions that belong to individuals and their doctors — not politicians in Topeka or Washington."Abortion must be available, safe, and legal. Access to reproductive healthcare is not a partisan issue — it is a public health imperative. When reproductive care is restricted or eliminated, the consequences fall hardest on those with the fewest resources: working families, rural Kansans, and those already navigating a strained healthcare system.Government Reform"Citizens United was wrongly decided: money is not speech, and corporations are not people."My campaign is built on that belief. We focus on practical solutions for Kansans, not on chasing money from interests that overlook our state's needs. In Congress, senators can spend as much as 40% of their time fundraising instead of serving constituents. Our current senators show the damage this creates when they vote without fully considering the impact on Kansans.Words alone are not enough; we need action. First, we should shorten campaign cycles. Few nations devote as much time and money to elections as we do. Shorter campaigns would keep attention on issues, reduce the influence of large campaign funds, and limit spending that discourages voters.Second, campaigns should be grounded in the state they seek to represent. Traveling across Kansas has shown me the real challenges Kansans face. Senators should live in the state, visit every county before taking office, and keep doing so afterward. That commitment would also help counter distorted, gerrymandered districts designed to protect incumbents.Third, representation should reflect the will of the people. I support repealing the Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929 so Congress more closely represents its constituents. Kansas's Third District shows how gerrymandering can reshape a district for political advantage.Finally, voting should be easy and strongly encouraged. When too few people vote, organized money can mobilize narrow groups that do not reflect Kansans as a whole. I support convenient options such as mail-in ballots, accessible polling, and time off to vote — measures used successfully elsewhere without voter fraud and with stronger alignment between citizens' priorities and the laws enacted.LGBTQ+ Rights"It is not the government's place to say who you can and cannot love."Kevin believes the government's only role regarding LGBTQ+ issues should be to protect people — protect their rights, and protect their right to autonomy to choose.This position flows directly from a foundational American principle: all people are created equal, and every person holds the unalienable right to pursue their own life and happiness. That is not a partisan statement — it is the promise at the heart of this country.Kevin hopes that is a sufficient answer, because to him it really is that straightforward.Climate Change"As the only scientist in this race, I consider climate change a fact and one of the greatest threats to mankind."Kevin supports the development and utilization of technology to decrease energy use and diminish existing carbon in our atmosphere, as well as meaningful investment in infrastructure toward electrification of the grid.One of the reasons Kevin entered this race was because he didn't hear any of the other candidates talking about what he believed was truly important — the well-being of Kansas families and kids. While we say we love our children, our healthcare, fiscal, and environmental policies suggest otherwise.Our children will inherit the world we leave behind. Kevin believes we owe it to them to take the science seriously and act accordingly.Current Administration"Their decisions are not just without evidence — they are actually contradictory to it."Kevin strongly condemns the current administration's actions to roll back environmental regulations through the EPA. These are not judgment calls made in the absence of data — they are decisions made in direct contradiction to the scientific evidence we have.The consequences of weakening environmental protections fall on real people: Kansas families, farmers, and children who will live with the long-term effects of degraded air, water, and climate stability. These decisions are dangerous and harmful to the future of our planet and our children.Kevin believes that responsible governance requires following the evidence, especially when the stakes are this high. As a physician and scientist, he knows what it means to make decisions with lives on the line — and he will bring that standard to the Senate.Data Centers"Big tech is not building data centers to benefit our local communities — they are building them to increase their profits, regardless of the local impact."Data centers are not being built for the benefit of Kansans. With current technology, they often increase the cost of electricity and put our already dwindling water supplies at further risk. We should pursue technological growth, but we must do so in a thoughtful, compassionate manner.The evidence shows data centers carry moderate benefits with significant risks. They can raise electrical prices in some areas and lower them in others — but in every case, they consume a significant amount of water. Kansas is not in a position to take water away from our farmers in order to cool a data center.Data centers also promise short-term construction jobs, but very few long-term employment opportunities. Kevin would rather pursue long-term solutions: jobs in affordable housing, jobs in healthcare, jobs that give back to the community rather than simply take from it.— Kevin Latz's campaign website (July 29, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.