Laura Kelly on Civil Rights

	Laura Kelly on Civil Rights

Action has meant building an inclusive government

[On Black History Month]: "There's so much that has happened in Kansas related to Black history. I think it's important that particularly Kansas celebrates it--celebrates it loud and clear and often."

"We must honor that legacy not just with celebration, but with action," she said. "For my administration, action has meant building an inclusive government--one that represents all Kansans and delivers real results."

Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2026 Kansas Gubernatorial race , Feb 18, 2025

Let local school boards decide on transgender women's sports

Attorney General Derek Schmidt argued an ad from the governor amounted to her misrepresenting her position on the issue of transgender athletes in women's sports. He continued to zero in on the governor's position, saying the two "fundamentally disagreed" on the issue. "I've been very clear on my position on this issue," Schmidt said. "I think it is a matter of fundamental fairness and I do not think that it is a matter of law or policy that people who are biologically male should be competing in women's sports."

Kelly has maintained it was consistent with her twice vetoing bills on the issue, saying the matter should be left up to local school boards, the Kansas State High School Activities Association and the NCAA. She again called Schmidt's contention that her actions allowed men to compete in women's sports to be "absurd." Kelly said there was also a risk to the state's economy from boycotting businesses if such a measure were passed.

Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race , Oct 5, 2022

Reinstate Equal Protection for LGBTQ+ state workers

One of Laura Kelly's first acts as governor will be to reinstate the Equal Protection Clause, which was put in place by Governor Kathleen Sebelius, to protect LGBTQ+ civil servants from discrimination. These protections were eliminated by Sam Brownback. Reinstating this protection is essential to make sure all state workers receive fair and equal treatment. Source: 2018 Gubernatorial campaign website LauraKellyForKansas.com , Aug 14, 2018

College groups "religious freedom" means LGBT discrimination

Legislative Summary: SB 175 enacts law prohibiting a postsecondary educational institution from taking any action that would deny a religious student association any benefit available to any other association due to the association's requirement that leaders or members of the association adhere to or comply with the association's sincerely held religious beliefs.

Analysis by Washington Blade: Consistent with his record in opposition to LGBT rights, Gov. Sam Brownback signed into law a "religious freedom" bill seen to enable discrimination against LGBT students in his state's public universities. Brownback didn't sign the bill quietly: The governor signed the measure during a ceremony surrounded by lawmakers and lobbyists for the Kansas Catholic Conference and the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 30-8-2 on Mar/19/15; State Sen. Laura Kelly voted NO; Passed House 81-41-3 on Mar/16/16; Signed on Mar/22/16

Source: Wash. Blade analysis of Kansas voting records SB175 , May 19, 2015

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*Other governors on Civil Rights:*			*Laura Kelly on other issues:*
*KS Gubernatorial:* Chase LaPorte Derek Schmidt Jeff Colyer *KS Senatorial:* Barbara Bollier Barry Grissom Dave Lindstrom Jake LaTurner Jerry Moran Joan Farr Kris Kobach Mark Holland Michael Soetaert Pat Roberts Susan Wagle	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4. Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4. Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate). Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025) Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]