Chris Mann, Democrat

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Chris Mann. I’m a lifelong Kansan, now raising my two children here with my incredible wife, Ashley. I have dedicated my life to serving and protecting Kansas communities – first as a police officer and then as a prosecutor. My career as a police officer was cut short when I was injured in the line of duty by a drunk driver who hit me at 50 mph while I was outside my car on a routine car stop. I continued my career in public service, going back to law school and becoming a prosecutor, handling complex cases including murders and drug trafficking in Wyandotte County. I also protected consumers by holding white-collar criminals accountable as an attorney with the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner. I now have my own law firm where I represent victims of drunk driving. Outside of my law practice, I’ve been a member of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and currently serve on the boards of the Lawrence Habitat for Humanity, Just Food, and FRST, a non-profit organization that provides peer support services for first responders with PTSD.

What do you believe are the three most important issues you would face if elected and what is your position on each?

My first priority will be to refocus the office on supporting local law enforcement and prosecutors. 70% of local law enforcement agencies in Kansas have ten or fewer officers, and the majority of those have five or fewer. As I’ve traveled the state, I’ve heard from local agencies that calls for help from the Attorney General’s office often go unanswered, or they’re told no. As Attorney General, I will pick up the phone and make sure local agencies have the resources they need to keep Kansans safe. That is why the Kansas State FOP has endorsed me in this race.

Another top priority is addressing rising levels of consumer fraud by strengthening consumer education and aggressively prosecuting cases. In the first six months of 2026, Kansans have lost more than $30 million through fraud. Scams are getting more sophisticated, and they’re targeting our most vulnerable population, the elderly. As a securities prosecutor, I’ve investigated and prosecuted scam artists and white-collar criminals across the state.

Third, we need to work with partner organizations to assist victims of domestic violence. The lethality in these cases has risen dramatically in recent years. From 2024 to 2025, domestic violence-related homicides rose 65%. We lost two police officers in 2025 on domestic violence calls. The AG’s office can provide grant funding to local victim and survivor support organizations, including non-profits, and partner with law enforcement agencies to address resource needs.

If elected, what are two things you would like to accomplish within the first year of your term?

Within my first year in office, I will conduct a top-to-bottom review of the resources available to the Attorney General’s office to ensure its resources are being used effectively to keep Kansans safe. That includes identifying where resources are stretched too thin and where they can be better directed. For example, the Division of Youth Suicide Prevention is currently under-resourced, even as Kansas’ youth suicide rate remains far above the national average. I will look for opportunities to reallocate or expand resources so the division can better fulfill its mission.

I will also establish quarterly meetings with local law enforcement agencies across Kansas. As I’ve traveled the state and met with dozens of sheriffs, chiefs of police, and other law enforcement leaders, I’ve heard from many who want a stronger line of communication with the Attorney General’s office. As the state’s chief law enforcement official, the Attorney General plays a critical role in ensuring local agencies have the resources and support they need to keep our communities safe. These meetings, held in communities across Kansas and online, will give law enforcement leaders a direct line to my office as well as an opportunity to share information, identify emerging trends, and discuss challenges they are facing so we can address them before they become crises.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

I’ve spent my career in public service. I started as a police officer when I was just 21 years old. After I was injured in the line of duty by a drunk driver, I became a prosecutor, holding violent offenders and drug traffickers accountable, including securing a decades-long prison sentence against a man who committed an execution-style murder in Wyandotte County. I then investigated and prosecuted white-collar criminals and scam artists as an attorney with the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner, including securing a prison sentence for a scam artist who stole the life savings of an elderly widow in Sedgwick County. I’ve also worked with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to pass laws to make our roads safer, including requiring ignition interlock devices in all convicted DUI offenders’ vehicles. This law has resulted in a dramatic decrease in drunk driving fatalities in Kansas since its implementation. The Attorney General is the state’s top law enforcement official, and I’m the only candidate in this race who has ever served in law enforcement. The Attorney General is also the state’s attorney. Throughout my legal career, I have fought to hold violent offenders accountable and keep Kansans safe. As Attorney General, I will fight every day to keep our communities safe.

Why should voters elect you?

I’ve spent my entire life running towards the problem, and I’m not done yet. From police officer to prosecutor, I’ve worked to keep Kansans safe. Kris Kobach has never worn a badge. He’s never stood toe-to-toe with violent criminals on the street or in the courtroom. Instead, he’s run for almost every office in Kansas, and he’s done it to push his political agenda. Since being elected in 2022, he’s told the Legislature he couldn’t fulfill the core functions of the Attorney General’s office. He’s refused to stand up against a natural gas company accused of price gouging, walking away from $50 million owed to Kansans. And he’s refused to stand up against the federal government, even when more than $1 billion of our tax money was withheld. For me, this office isn’t about Team Red or Team Blue, but Team Kansas. It’s time to take this office away from one man’s political agenda and bring it back to the people of Kansas.

As Attorney General, I’ll answer law enforcement’s calls for help investigating and prosecuting complex cases. I’ll stand up to anyone who tries to hurt the people of Kansas, and I’ll focus this office on protecting Kansans.

Kris Kobach, Republican (Incumbent)

The Sabetha Herald contacted Kris Kobach, but he did not respond in the time allowed or within the word limit guidelines.