A conservative advocacy group aligned with the Club for Growth Action has launched a $2 million advertising campaign against Republican gubernatorial candidate Vicki Schmidt in Kansas, targeting her record on immigration ahead of the August primary.
The School Freedom Fund, which backs school choice, released a 30-second ad on Wednesday accusing Schmidt, the state's insurance commissioner and a former state senator, of supporting benefits for undocumented immigrants. The spot, first shared with The Hill, claims Schmidt voted to allow “illegal aliens to receive public benefits” and “give in-state tuition to illegal aliens,” framing her actions as out of step with Kansas values.
“Hard work, no handouts. That’s the Kansas way. So why did Vicki Schmidt vote the wrong way?” the narrator says. “Letting freeloaders feed off of the public trough. Illegals first, Kansans last. That’s Vicki Schmidt.”
The ad references two 2008 amendments Schmidt opposed as a state senator. One, offered by then-state Sen. Tim Huelskamp, would have barred undocumented immigrants from receiving state or local public benefits except where required by federal law. Another sought to prevent immigrants without legal status from using legal proceedings to qualify for in-state tuition. Both amendments failed, and Schmidt voted against them.
Schmidt is running in a crowded Republican primary to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. The race is considered a key pickup opportunity for the GOP in November, given Kansas's conservative lean. Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson in the contest.
School Freedom Fund President David McIntosh said the group is prepared to spend heavily to defeat Schmidt. “Vicki Schmidt has spent her career putting illegal aliens and teacher unions ahead of Kansas families,” he said in a statement. “If you call yourself a Republican and oppose school freedom, expect to lose an expensive primary.”
Schmidt's campaign pushed back, arguing the outside spending signals her message is gaining traction. Spokesperson Mandy Roe said Schmidt's focus on making state government “more efficient, more accessible and less costly” is resonating with voters. She noted that the 2008 policy repeal was broadly opposed by groups including the Kansas Catholic Conference, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, and the Kansas Farm Bureau.
“In 2008, the repeal of this policy was widely opposed by Kansans in every corner of our state,” Roe said. “As Governor, Vicki will support efforts to deport violent criminals and drug dealers to help keep our communities safe.”
The ad campaign will air in the Kansas City and Topeka media markets, intensifying a primary that could shape the state's direction. The winner of the GOP primary will be heavily favored in the general election, given Kansas's Republican tilt.
For more on the broader political landscape, see how GOP fiscal conservatives are resisting Trump's $1.5 trillion defense and Iran war funding push. Meanwhile, New York primary upsets deepen Democratic rifts as left-wing candidates oust incumbents.
