Don Coover
Democratic
Rancher, veterinarian and Army veteran; runs a beef cattle genetics company
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U.S. House · Nov 3, 2026
U.S. House race in Kansas’s 2nd district
Incumbent: Derek Schmidt, running for re-election.
Republican Rep. Derek Schmidt, first elected in 2024, faces Democrat Don Coover and Libertarian John Hauer; the Kansas Secretary of State's certified list could not be opened, so the Shawnee County Election Office's general-election list is cited and candidates are listed with major parties first, then by surname.
The 3 candidates
Derek Schmidt
RepublicanIncumbentU.S. Representative for Kansas's 2nd district since 2025; Kansas Attorney General from 2011 to 2023
John Hauer
LibertarianArmy veteran deployed twice to Iraq; warehouse worker and delivery driver
Where they stand
What each candidate says they support or would do, on the issues they campaign on. Summaries use the same neutral words for everyone and link to the candidate’s own words.
AI verified
Researched with AI and confirmed by a second, independent AI check. Our editors haven’t reviewed it yet. How we verify
Taxes
DemocraticDon Coover
Opposes the tax breaks he says politicians gave to billionaires and corporations while cutting access to health care.
RepublicanDerek Schmidt
Says he is working to curb federal spending, lower inflation and extend tax relief for Kansas families, small businesses, farmers and ranchers through what he calls the Working Families Tax Cut.
LibertarianJohn Hauer
Would end the federal income tax and replace it with nothing.
Foreign policy
DemocraticDon Coover
Supports stopping the war in Iran, which he says has sharply raised fuel prices, crippled access to fertilizer and hurt national security.
RepublicanDerek Schmidt
No published position found.
LibertarianJohn Hauer
Would end all U.S. wars, close all foreign military bases and bring all troops home, and would stop sending U.S. tax money overseas.
Economy & cost of living
DemocraticDon Coover
No published position found.
RepublicanDerek Schmidt
Says he works on the House Small Business Committee to make sure Kansas small businesses have the resources they need to grow.
LibertarianJohn Hauer
Says he would address inflation, drastically cut federal spending and end corporate bailouts.
Trade
DemocraticDon Coover
Would stop tariffs he calls harmful, which he says are costing Kansas families thousands of dollars and devastating farmers.
RepublicanDerek Schmidt
No published position found.
LibertarianJohn Hauer
No published position found.
Health care
DemocraticDon Coover
Supports making health care more affordable and accessible and protecting rural hospitals.
RepublicanDerek Schmidt
No published position found.
LibertarianJohn Hauer
No published position found.
Ethics
DemocraticDon Coover
Says politicians take money from corporate and billionaire donors and then vote for them, and says that corruption has to stop.
RepublicanDerek Schmidt
No published position found.
LibertarianJohn Hauer
No published position found.
Immigration
DemocraticDon Coover
No published position found.
RepublicanDerek Schmidt
Cosponsored and supported passage of the Laken Riley Act and Sarah's Law, and says he works on the House Judiciary Committee to secure the southern border.
LibertarianJohn Hauer
No published position found.
Crime & justice
DemocraticDon Coover
No published position found.
RepublicanDerek Schmidt
Has led legislation to support victims of violent crime and to coordinate the federal response to scams targeting seniors, and supports legislation to deport people who commit fraud and are not U.S. citizens.
LibertarianJohn Hauer
No published position found.
Defense
DemocraticDon Coover
No published position found.
RepublicanDerek Schmidt
Says he advocates on the House Armed Services Committee for Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth and Forbes Field and for resources for service members and their families.
LibertarianJohn Hauer
No published position found.
Budget
DemocraticDon Coover
No published position found.
RepublicanDerek Schmidt
No published position found.
LibertarianJohn Hauer
Would reduce the federal government to a bare-bones operation, eliminate most federal agencies and return power to the most local level.
Who’s on the ballot: sources
- ListShawnee County Election Office: Candidate Filing Information: November 3, 2026 General Election(opens in a new tab)
- ListKansas Secretary of State: 2026 Primary Election Official Vote Totals(opens in a new tab)
- ListKCUR: Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District: What to know about the candidates running in November(opens in a new tab)
- ListWikipedia: 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas(opens in a new tab)