President Donald Trump has spoken. On Sunday, the undisputed leader of the Republican Party threw his weight behind Ty Masterson in the Kansas governor’s race, instantly securing his status as the frontrunner in a nine-candidate GOP primary field.

“It is my Great Honor to endorse Ty Masterson, a fantastic Candidate running to be the next Governor of the Great State of Kansas, a place I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020 and 2024!” Trump posted on social media.

“A highly successful Small Business Owner and Entrepreneur, and Kansas’ very popular State Senate President, Ty has dedicated his life to serving his Community,” Trump continued, adding that Masterson “WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

The Andover Republican was first elected to the Legislature in 2004, and served as Senate president since 2021, defining himself in opposition to two-term Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly by repeatedly enacting legislation into law over her veto.

Masterson employed Trump’s signature all-caps delivery to trumpet the endorsement on social media Sunday afternoon.

“THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT,” he posted, adding that “Kansas needs a conservative who will fight and win — and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

The endorsement serves as a major blow to Masterson’s GOP rivals, including former Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt. Other Republicans in the race include Philip Sarnecki, Charlotte O’Hara, Doug Billings, Joy Eakins and Stacy Rogers.

What is Trump’s endorsement worth?

Despite Trump’s approval rating dipping to its lowest point of his second term amid unrest over the lengthening war in Iran, a string of outcomes in recent primary contests have reaffirmed the GOP standard-bearer’s iron grasp on his party.

Last week, Trump’s handpicked candidate in Kentucky ousted Republican dissident Rep. Thomas Massie in the most expensive House primary on record. Earlier this month, Trump enacted retribution in Indiana, where a slate of challengers swept to victory over Republican state senators who rebuffed his demand for a new gerrymandered congressional map.

Kansas Republicans’ failure to join in on the nationwide redistricting blitz by eliminating Democrats’ lone House district didn’t cost Masterson.

Last October, Masterson announced that he had enough senators’ signatures to trigger a special session for redistricting. But House Speaker Dan Hawkins was unable to sway a small group of Republican representatives who refused to sign on to the gerrymandering effort.

No new Kansas map was produced for consideration by the Senate or the House during the 2026 session. Nevertheless, the White House sent a letter in early May after lawmakers gaveled out, praising Masterson and Hawkins for their leadership.

“Congratulations on a successful 2026 legislative session and delivering on many of President Trump’s priorities,” said Alex Meyer, a deputy assistant to the president. “The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs would like to extend our sincere appreciation for your conservative leadership and dedication throughout the session.”

On Sunday afternoon, the Kansas Democratic Party issued a statement mocking the Republican field for turning the gubernatorial primary into “a humiliating contest to see who can bow lowest to Donald Trump.”

“Masterson is not running to solve problems for Kansas families,” Kansas Democratic Party Chair Jeanna Repass said. “He is running to carry out Donald Trump’s chaotic agenda in Kansas: higher costs for working families and farmers, attacks on public schools, threats to rural hospitals, and more political dysfunction that leaves everyday Kansans paying the price.”

State Sen. Ethan Corson, a Fairway Democrat with Kelly’s backing to succeed her as governor, released his own statement casting doubt on whether Trump’s endorsement would prove decisive in the high-stakes race.

“While Ty Masterson and the Republican field have spent the last year auditioning for Donald Trump, Ethan has been focused on the issues Kansans care about: lowering costs, protecting abortion rights, and making sure every Kansan has access to quality, affordable healthcare,” spokesperson Glynnis Harvey said.

“Time and again, we’ve seen Kansans choose governors who are focused on results and willing to work across the aisle,” she added.

Trump endorsed candidates who went on to lose in each of Kansas’ last two gubernatorial elections.

In 2022, he backed Republican Derek Schmidt, who was later elected to represent Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District. In 2018, Trump upended the GOP primary by supporting now-Attorney General Kris Kobach over then-Gov. Jeff Colyer, who lost the nomination to Kobach by fewer than 350 votes before Kelly was elected governor.

Despite the snub, Colyer has remained a vocal supporter of Trump, openly courting his endorsement again this year after chairing his 2024 campaign operation in Kansas.

A spokesperson for Colyer’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.

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