TOPEKA – A Republican candidate for Governor of Kansas, Charlotte O’Hara, is campaigning on a platform of staunch conservatism, emphasizing fiscal restraint, electoral reform, and a rejection of what she describes as “woke” ideology in public schools. O’Hara, a former member of the Johnson County Commission and the Kansas House of Representatives, has taken the unusual step of publishing a collection of opinion articles to directly communicate her vision to voters ahead of the primary election.
O’Hara’s campaign centers on a series of key policy proposals. She aims to “make Kansas a place to come home to, not a place to run from,” a sentiment that appears to target concerns about population decline and economic opportunity in the state. A central tenet of her economic plan involves curbing government spending, with a particularly pointed critique of tax incentives, which she argues ultimately increase property taxes for residents. She has also called for greater transparency in government, advocating against what she terms “censorship” and demanding that “the voice of the people must be heard.”
Perhaps one of the more distinctive elements of O’Hara’s platform is her stance on judicial elections. She proposes a direct partisan election of judges, challenging what she describes as the “stranglehold” of the Kansas Bar Association on the judicial selection process. This proposal reflects a broader conservative push for greater accountability and perceived ideological balance within the judiciary.
Education is another key battleground for O’Hara. She is advocating for the removal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Critical Race Theory (CRT), and what she labels “woke” curriculum from public schools, proposing a return to a focus on “reading, writing, and actual history, and science.” This position aligns with a national trend among conservative candidates seeking to reshape education policy.
O’Hara’s platform extends to environmental concerns, but with a clear emphasis on protecting Kansas from the perceived drawbacks of renewable energy development. She specifically targets “industrial wind and solar facilities, lithium-ion battery manufacturing plants, battery energy storage facilities, and massive transmission lines,” as well as the use of eminent domain for such projects. This stance suggests a prioritization of local control and property rights over broader climate change mitigation efforts.
According to her campaign website, O’Hara brings a unique skillset to the race, citing her experience as a former general contractor and developer. She claims this background provides her with insider knowledge regarding the ineffectiveness of certain economic incentives, referencing two Kansas Legislative Post Audit reports, one released earlier in .
The , reporting indicates that O’Hara is one of several Republican candidates for governor who have utilized personal loans to bolster their fundraising efforts. The amount of these loans ranges from $485,000, suggesting a significant degree of self-funding within the GOP primary race. This financial dynamic could influence the campaign’s trajectory and messaging.
O’Hara previously served in the Kansas House of Representatives from to , representing District 27. During her time in the legislature, she served on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the Federal and State Affairs Committee, the Financial Institutions Committee, and the Insurance Committee. Her legislative record provides a glimpse into her past policy priorities and voting patterns.
The general election is scheduled for . On the Democratic side, Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher are competing for the nomination. The outcome of the Republican primary will likely set the tone for the general election contest, with O’Hara positioning herself as a “true, proven conservative” capable of leading a state with a Republican super-majority.
O’Hara’s campaign slogan, “We see time to have a true, proven conservative at the helm of our Republican super-majority,” underscores her appeal to the base of the Kansas Republican party. Her direct-to-voter approach, through the publication of opinion articles and active engagement on social media, suggests a strategy of bypassing traditional media channels and connecting directly with potential supporters. The success of this strategy remains to be seen as the primary election approaches.
