Michael Soetaert is an art gallery owner from Wellington who was previously a Wellington city council member until recently. He grew up in Spring Hill, Kansas, and is a perennial candidate who has run for various local, state, and federal offices over the years. In 2022, he ran unsuccessfully for Kansas's 2nd Congressional District. Soetaert is also running for President of the United States in 2028. He was the first openly gay candidate to run for U.S. Senate representing Kansas.
Michael Soetaert is from Wellington, Kansas, and has been active in local politics and business as an art gallery owner. He has run for multiple offices including his hometown city council and the U.S. House. As the first openly gay candidate to run for U.S. Senate in Kansas, he represents a diversifying Democratic field.