Patrick Schmidt — Candidate Profile

Party: Democrat

Running in: Kansas Senate Race

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Patrick Schmidt

DemocratKansas Senate Race
Campaign Website →

Summary

Patrick Schmidt is a sixth-generation Kansan from Topeka who is a former U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer and current state senator. He served in the U.S. Navy and worked on naval intelligence, including on the USS Ronald Reagan supporting the battle group's intelligence team defending U.S. interests from China and Russia. He has since transitioned to the Naval Reserve and returned to Kansas. Schmidt earned his bachelor's degree from Tufts University in 2013. Both of his parents were public school teachers who worked second jobs to make ends meet. Schmidt was elected to the Kansas State Senate in 2024, representing the 19th district, after running unsuccessfully for Kansas's 2nd Congressional District in 2022. He has not formally announced his U.S. Senate campaign but has filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Background

Patrick Schmidt grew up in a family deeply rooted in Kansas values, with six generations of farmers, miners, and teachers. His parents were public school teachers who worked second jobs, and his father's death was deeply impactful to him. After college graduation, he was commissioned as a Naval Intelligence Officer and served protecting U.S. interests from China and Russia. He recently transitioned to the Naval Reserve and returned to Kansas to help hard-working families like his own who struggle to make ends meet.

Campaign Platform

Economy
Address property tax burden
In the Statehouse, Schmidt made property taxes a top issue and broke with party lines to support a proposed state constitutional amendment to place an annual cap on property value increases for tax purposes

Key Issue Positions

Property taxation

Support property tax caps

Made property taxes a top issue in state Senate, breaking with Democratic party lines to support capping annual property value increases for tax purposes

Voting History: Supported state constitutional amendment proposal on property taxes despite party opposition

Voting Record

Elected to Kansas State Senate in 2024, having served since 2025. Limited voting record available at state level.

BillTitleVoteDateSignificance
Property tax constitutional amendment proposalState constitutional amendment for property tax capYea2025Broke with Democratic party lines to support this measure

Social Media Activity

Frames himself as a fighter for working families, drawing on his military and family background

Recurring Themes
Working families advocacyMilitary serviceKansas valuesCommon sense solutions

Sources

  1. Patrick Schmidt for Kansas official website
  2. Ballotpedia - Patrick Schmidt
  3. KCUR - Who's running to represent Kansas in the U.S. Senate