--- title: "Tyndell vs. Estes: 2026 Kansas’ 4th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ks-04" updated: "2026-08-05" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Kansas’ 4th District race: Katy Tyndell (D) vs. Ron Estes (R) Rating: Safe R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 5, 2026 Incumbent Republican Ron Estes faces Democratic nominee Katy Tyndell in the general election for Kansas' 4th Congressional District on November 3, 2026. Estes, who has served in the House since 2017, won his primary with 80.9% of the vote, while Tyndell advanced from her primary with 65.8%. The race hinges on cost of living, tax reform, agricultural policy and tariffs, healthcare access, and federal government oversight. ## Candidates - **Katy Tyndell** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://katyforkansas.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Katy_Tyndell) - **Ron Estes** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://estesforcongress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ron_Estes_%28U.S._Representative_from_Kansas%29) ## Issues ### Economy and Taxes Salience: high Tyndell emphasizes lowering taxes on working families and ending corporate giveaways, while Estes champions making corporate and individual tax cuts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent. **Katy Tyndell:** Lowers costs for working families Tyndell focuses on reducing everyday living costs such as groceries, housing, and gas for Kansas families. She advocates for tax relief targeting working people and small businesses rather than corporate giveaways. - Lower taxes on working Kansans and small businesses - Reduce everyday household expenses for groceries, fuel, and housing - Oppose corporate tax giveaways to wealthy executives > “I will fight for policies that lower costs, strengthen domestic production, expand economic opportunity, and help family farms and small businesses thrive.” > — Katy Tyndell, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Katy_Tyndell) **Ron Estes:** Supports tax cuts and deregulation Estes advocates for permanent tax cuts, spending discipline, and deregulation to spur economic growth. He highlights his leadership on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and recent 2025 tax legislation that eliminated taxes on tips and overtime. - Supported making key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent - Passed tax relief eliminating taxes on tips and overtime while expanding the Child Tax Credit - Cut federal regulations to support private sector job creation > “In 2025, Republicans continued to deliver for Kansans, making the most meaningful elements of TCJA permanent, expanding the Child Tax Credit, increasing the standard deduction, eliminating taxes on overtime and tips, and implementing a senior tax deduction that essentially covers Social Security taxes for 88% of Americans.” > — Ron Estes, via [Campaign site](https://estesforcongress.com/) ### Healthcare Salience: high Tyndell focuses on expanding healthcare access and reducing insurance premiums through federal prioritization, while Estes advocates replacing Obamacare with state-based free-market alternatives. **Katy Tyndell:** Expands healthcare and mental health access Tyndell advocates for quality, affordable healthcare and emphasizes expanding accessible mental health services based on her personal family experience. She aims to lower insurance premiums for small businesses and workers. - Expand affordable mental health services for families - Lower health insurance premiums for small business employers and workers - Treat healthcare affordability as a primary federal priority > “Katy will work to ensure access to quality, affordable healthcare for all.” > — Katy Tyndell, via [Campaign site](https://katyforkansas.com/) **Ron Estes:** Supports free-market healthcare reform Estes supports replacing Obamacare with state-based, free-market solutions that give families greater control over medical decisions. He also backed federal funding for rural healthcare and Make America Healthy Again initiatives targeting artificial additives. - Repeal Obamacare and replace it with state-based free-market solutions - Secured $222 million in rural healthcare funding for Kansas - Support Make America Healthy Again initiatives to remove artificial dyes and additives from food > “I’ve cosponsored legislation to provide transparency to health care and ensure families and individuals in the 4th District are the primary voice in making their health care decisions.” > — Ron Estes, via [Campaign site](https://estesforcongress.com/) ### Agriculture and Rural Development Salience: high Tyndell explicitly opposes tariffs and foreign wars that inflate farm operating costs, whereas Estes focuses on eliminating environmental regulations like WOTUS and repealing the estate tax. **Katy Tyndell:** Opposes tariffs and rising farm costs Tyndell criticizes tariff policies for damaging export markets for Kansas agricultural products and driving up fuel and fertilizer costs. She opposes pesticide deregulation and industrial encroachment on rural land. - Reverse tariff policies that restrict international market access for Kansas crops - Work across party lines to end conflicts like the War with Iran to lower fuel and fertilizer costs - Oppose pesticide deregulation and large-scale industrial encroachment on rural land > “Reckless tariff policies have handed our markets to foreign competitors, devalued Kansas agricultural products, and cut off the buyers our farmers have relied on for generations, while the War with Iran has jacked up fertilizer and diesel costs at the worst possible time.” > — Katy Tyndell, via [Campaign site](https://katyforkansas.com/) **Ron Estes:** Promotes agricultural deregulation and trade Estes focuses on protecting family farms by repealing regulations like WOTUS, eliminating the death tax, and opening international trade markets. He holds the endorsement of the Kansas Farm Bureau's VOTE FBF. - Dismantle federal regulations such as WOTUS and lesser prairie-chicken protections - Eliminate the death tax on family farms - Promote free and fair trade agreements to expand agricultural export markets > “In Congress, I’ve been a champion for the policies that have a positive impact on farmers and ranchers for generations to come.” > — Ron Estes, via [Campaign site](https://estesforcongress.com/) ### Governance, Accountability, and the Constitution Salience: medium Tyndell prioritizes bipartisan congressional oversight of the executive branch and public accessibility, while Estes focuses on curbing federal agency regulations and imposing lobbying bans on former lawmakers. **Katy Tyndell:** Supports constitutional oversight and bipartisanship Tyndell advocates for Congress reclaiming its constitutional authority over executive power regardless of party. She emphasizes accessible representation, bipartisan civic engagement, and restoring public trust. - Reclaim congressional oversight and legislative authority over the executive branch - Hold accessible, non-fee town halls for district constituents - Co-founded Leading Kansas to defend democratic institutions and promote bipartisan civic coalitions > “Regardless of who occupies the White House, I believe Congress must reclaim its constitutional role to legislate.” > — Katy Tyndell, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Katy_Tyndell) **Ron Estes:** Curtails federal agency power and lobbying Estes advocates for reducing federal agency overreach and transferring power back to local communities. He supports a five-year lobbying ban on former members of Congress and requiring lawmakers to abide by the rules applied to citizens. - Enact a five-year lobbying ban for former members of Congress - Limit regulatory authority of unelected federal agencies like the EPA - Pass a balanced budget amendment to force federal spending discipline > “I support legislation that would prevent a former member of Congress from working as a lobbyist for five years following the completion of their term.” > — Ron Estes, via [Campaign site](https://estesforcongress.com/) ### Gun Policy and Second Amendment Salience: low Tyndell has volunteered with gun safety organization Moms Demand Action, while Estes is an NRA member who opposes federal firearm restrictions. **Katy Tyndell:** Supports commonsense gun safety measures Tyndell has volunteered with Kansas Moms Demand Action, demonstrating support for gun violence prevention and commonsense firearm regulations. - Volunteered with Kansas Moms Demand Action to advocate for gun safety legislation > “Additionally, Katy recently served as Chair of the Sedgwick County Fire District One Steering Council and has volunteered with Kansas Moms Demand Action and her local NAACP.” > — Katy Tyndell, via [Campaign site](https://katyforkansas.com/) **Ron Estes:** Defends Second Amendment rights Estes is an NRA member who strongly defends Second Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens, gun owners, and hunters. He consistently opposes federal firearm restrictions. - Member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) - Opposes federal restrictions on gun ownership and firearm sales - Defends rights of citizens to possess firearms for self-defense and hunting > “I am a proud NRA member, and as your Congressman, I will continue supporting the rights of gun owners, sportsmen and hunters.” > — Ron Estes, via [Campaign site](https://estesforcongress.com/) ### Foreign Policy and Defense Salience: low Tyndell advocates ending foreign conflicts diplomatically to reduce domestic fuel costs, whereas Estes emphasizes military readiness at McConnell Air Force Base and peace through strength. **Katy Tyndell:** Supports ending foreign conflicts diplomatically Tyndell calls for ending foreign conflicts such as the War with Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz across party lines to stabilize global markets and lower energy costs at home. - Work across party lines to end the War with Iran - Reopen the Strait of Hormuz to reduce fertilizer and diesel costs for working Kansans > “Katy will fight to reverse the tariff giveaways that are strangling Kansas agriculture, work across party lines to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the War with Iran, and fight the large-scale industrial encroachment and pesticide deregulation that threaten the health of rural Kansans.” > — Katy Tyndell, via [Campaign site](https://katyforkansas.com/) **Ron Estes:** Supports military strength and opposes Iran Estes advocates for peace through strength, supporting military pay raises and funding for McConnell Air Force Base. He strongly opposes Iran's nuclear program and backs alliance with Israel. - Secured tankers and funding for McConnell Air Force Base - Supported pay raises for U.S. military service members - Oppose nuclear capabilities for Iran and support strong ties with Israel > “President after president has warned about the dangers of a nuclear Iran, but now we are on the path to eliminating the threat and providing an opportunity for stability and peace in the Middle East.” > — Ron Estes, via [Campaign site](https://estesforcongress.com/) ### Border Security and Immigration Salience: medium **Katy Tyndell:** No documented position in our sources **Ron Estes:** Supports strict border enforcement and deportations Estes emphasizes securing the southern border, stopping illegal immigration, and deporting undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes. He voted for border security measures including the SAVE Act and the Laken Riley Act. - Voted for the SAVE Act to require proof of citizenship for federal election registration - Voted for the Laken Riley Act to detain undocumented individuals arrested for burglary or theft - Supported legislation to deport undocumented immigrants convicted of driving while impaired > “Republicans in Congress have stepped up to secure the border, reduce illegal crossings, and deport the worst of the worst.” > — Ron Estes, via [Campaign site](https://estesforcongress.com/) ### Abortion and Reproductive Rights Salience: medium **Katy Tyndell:** No documented position in our sources **Ron Estes:** Opposes abortion and taxpayer funding Estes is pro-life and advocates for protecting unborn children and ending taxpayer subsidies for abortion providers. He introduced legislation specifically protecting unborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome. - Introduced legislation protecting unborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome - Supports defunding Planned Parenthood - Prohibits taxpayer dollars from funding abortion services > “I am proudly pro-life, and I’ve introduced legislation to protect unborn babies with a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis.” > — Ron Estes, via [Campaign site](https://estesforcongress.com/) ### Technology, Privacy, and AI Salience: low **Katy Tyndell:** Protects online privacy and worker AI safety Tyndell advocates for federal legislation to protect online user privacy—especially for youth—against data mining by major tech companies. She also supports guardrails on AI to ensure it creates jobs rather than replacing workers. - Champion online privacy legislation to prevent tech companies from mining user data - Pass bipartisan policies to ensure AI technology acts as a job creator for workers > “In DC, Katy will bring both parties together to ensure the future of AI is a job creator, not a job killer.” > — Katy Tyndell, via [Campaign site](https://katyforkansas.com/) **Ron Estes:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ks-04-house-election-winner) — KS-04 House Election Winner: Republicans 95.9%, Democrats 4.4% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-KS04-26) — KS-04 House winner?: Ron Estes 96.1%, Katy Tyndell 4.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXKSPRIMARY-04R26) — KS-04 Republican nominee?: Ron Estes 94.0%, Michael Gaynor 1.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXKSPRIMARY-04D26) — KS-04 Democratic nominee?: Katy Tyndell 99.0%, Jordan Mitchell 1.0%, Cole Epley 1.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ks-04)