Kansans face pivotal abortion vote Tuesday

Kansas residents will cast pivotal votes Tuesday to decide whether their state constitution protects unborn babies. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that abortion is a fundamental right, so the state is holding its first referendum on a pro-life law. If the referendum is approved, Kansas lawmakers will be able to create more laws to protect babies.

Kansans will also vote in primary races for their next governor. Businessman Arlyn Briggs and Attorney General Derek Schmidt are running in the Republican primary, while Democratic incumbent Laura Kelly faces Richard Karnowski, who calls himself a pro-life Democrat.

What’s happening in other state primaries?  In Arizona, former TV news anchor Kari Lake and businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson seek the Republican nomination for governor, while Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and businessman Marco Lopez compete for the Democratic nod. In Michigan, four GOP candidates—real estate broker Ryan Kelley, businessman Kevin Rinke, chiropractor Garrett Soldano, and businesswoman Tudor Dixon—are running to challenge Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in November. In Missouri, former Gov. Eric Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, and U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler are polling near the top of 21 Republicans seeking to fill the state’s U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Republican Roy Blunt. Marine veteran Lucas Kunce and Anheuser-Busch heiress Trudy Busch Valentine are the favorites in the Democratic contest.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s interview with Republican political consultant Christopher Nicholas on what it’s like to campaign in America.