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Jeffrey William Colyer (born June 3, 1960) is an American surgeon and politician who served as the 47th governor of Kansas from January 31, 2018, to January 14, 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he was the 49th lieutenant governor of Kansas from 2011 to 2018. Colyer served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2007 to 2009 and the Kansas Senate from 2009 to 2011. He assumed the governorship when Sam Brownback resigned to become United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Colyer ran for a full term as governor in 2018, but narrowly lost the Republican primary to Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach, who in turn lost the general election to Democratic nominee Laura Kelly.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Colyer was raised in Hays, where his father, James Daniel Colyer (d. 2015),[1] worked as a dentist from 1955 to 1985.[2][3] He graduated from Thomas More Prep High School in 1978[4] before enrolling at Georgetown University, where he took pre-med courses and earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1981. After receiving a master's degree in international relations from Clare Hall, Cambridge in 1982, he obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Kansas in 1986.[5]

Early career

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Colyer had residency training in general surgery at the Washington Hospital Center (1986–1988, 1989–1991), in plastic surgery at the University of Missouri–Kansas City (1991–1993), and in craniofacial/pediatric plastic surgery at the International Craniofacial Institute in Dallas, Texas (1993–1994).[5]

Colyer was a White House fellow under presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, working in international affairs.[6]

In 1994 Colyer opened his own plastic/craniofacial surgery practice in Overland Park, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri.[5] He volunteers with the International Medical Corps, providing care in such areas as Kosovo and Sierra Leone; in this capacity, he has performed both trauma and reconstructive surgery as well as training local doctors.[7] Colyer's work as a volunteer surgeon in combat zones has taken him to Afghanistan and Iraq, and to Rwanda during that country's genocide.[8]

Political career

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In the 2002 U.S. House of Representatives elections, Colyer ran for the Republican nomination in Kansas's 3rd congressional district; he was defeated by Adam Taff, who narrowly lost the general election to incumbent Democrat Dennis Moore.[3]

In 2006, Colyer was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives from the 48th district, receiving 62% in a three-way race. As a freshman legislator, he was selected to serve as chairman of the 2007 Legislative Health Reform Task Force.[6] In 2008 he was elected to the Kansas Senate to represent the 37th district, receiving 63% in another three-way race. According to the National Institute on Money in State Politics,[9] Colyer financed $25,000 of his own campaign.

While in the state Senate, Colyer co-sponsored an amendment to require Senate consent for Supreme Court appointments[10] and an amendment to create a budget stabilization fund. Colyer received a rating of 75 on conservative issues from the Kansas Chapter of Americans for Prosperity.[11]

Lieutenant Governor of Kansas

[edit]

2010 gubernatorial election

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On June 1, 2010, U.S. senator Sam Brownback announced that Colyer would be his running mate in his bid to become governor of Kansas. Brownback and Colyer were elected on November 2, 2010, and assumed office in January 2011. Colyer resigned his state senate seat on January 10, 2011, prior to taking the oath of office as lieutenant governor.[12]

2014 gubernatorial election

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In October 2013 Kansas state representative Paul Davis, the Democratic minority leader of the Kansas House of Representatives, announced he would challenge Brownback in the 2014 Kansas gubernatorial election.[13] In July 2014 more than 100 Kansas Republican officials endorsed Davis. These Kansas Republicans said their concern was related to deep cuts in education and other government services as well as tax cuts that had left the state with a large deficit.[14]

In late September 2014 Colyer's chief of staff, Tim Keck, unearthed and publicized a 1998 police report that noted that Davis, 26 and unmarried at the time, had been briefly detained during a raid on a strip club. Davis was found to have no involvement in the cause for the raid and quickly allowed to leave.[15] Responding to criticism of Keck's involvement in the campaign, Brownback spokesman Paul Milburn said that it was legal to use taxpayer-paid staff to campaign. Media law experts were amazed after learning that Montgomery County's sheriff had released non-public investigative files from 1998 with just a records request.[16] Brownback and Colyer were reelected, defeating Davis by a 3.69% margin.[17][18][19]

Tenure

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Numerous judges had rejected challenges to the natural-born citizenship of Barack Obama since before he was elected president in 2008, but Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach persistently demanded proof of citizenship before allowing Obama's name to appear on the 2012 Kansas presidential ballot.[20] In September 2012, Kobach, with the support of both other State Objections Board members, Colyer and Kansas attorney general Derek Schmidt, requested additional evidence that Obama was born in the United States.[21] CNN reported that "the Kansas ballot measure is one of several examples of the birther movement's still-persistent presence."[22] The New York Times noted that the Kansas authorities' actions "reignited long-running conspiracy theories that the president was not born in the United States".[23] According to the Topeka Capital-Journal, the three said they did not have sufficient evidence as to whether Obama was eligible to appear on the Kansas ballot as a candidate for the 2012 presidential election. They stated a need to review his birth certificate and other documents from Hawaii, Arizona, and Mississippi before they could respond to a complaint alleging that the president was not a "natural born citizen". "Given the cursory response from President Obama, the Board is merely attempting to obtain additional information before making a decision," said Kobach's spokesperson.[24]

As lieutenant governor, Colyer led the Kansas Medicaid transformation, which has saved Kansans $2 billion since 2013 while increasing services. KanCare has led to a 23% reduction in in-patient hospital stays, a 24% increase in members using a primary care physician and a 10% increase in outpatient, non-emergency treatment.[25]

Colyer "and others in the Brownback administration were investigated and cleared by a federal grand jury as part of an inquiry into loans made in 2013 and 2014 to [Governor Brownback's] re-election campaign".[8]

Governor of Kansas

[edit]

On July 26, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Brownback to be U.S. ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C.[26][27][28] Brownback resigned the governorship on January 31, 2018, to be sworn in as ambassador, making Colyer governor.[29]

On January 31, 2018, Colyer was sworn in as the 47th governor of Kansas.[30] As his first order of business, he signed an executive order requiring all employees and interns working for executive branch agencies in Kansas to undergo yearly sexual harassment training.[31] It was the first mandatory sexual harassment training policy put in place by a governor.

As lieutenant governor and governor, Colyer supported laws restricting abortion.[32][33] Colyer denounced court decisions striking down those laws as unconstitutional;[32] After the Kansas Supreme Court struck down a state anti-abortion law as a violation of the state constitution, Colyer proposed a state constitutional amendment to overturn the ruling.[33]

In May 2018, Colyer issued an executive order establishing a "ban the box" policy for state jobs; the order prevented Kansas state agencies from asking applicants about their criminal history during the initial phase of the hiring process.[34]

During his tenure Colyer signed several transparency bills into law. One law helped police body camera video[35] become more accessible after an officer-involved shooting. Another required the Kansas Department for Children and Families[36] to release more information following the death of a child in the state's custody or after reports of abuse. Colyer also signed bipartisan legislation expanding rules for lobbyists.[37] Under the new law, anyone trying to influence an executive branch official on contracts must register as a lobbyist.

Colyer also increased funding to public schools by $500 million over five years.[38] The investment came in response to a Kansas Supreme Court ruling that schools had not been properly funded for several years. The money was intended to help rural and low-income school districts as well as increase teacher salaries. As governor, Colyer also approved more money for the Kansas National Guard to help National Guard Members with tuition assistance[39] to increase the number of National Guard members.

Colyer also signed into law the Adoption Protection Act, which allows religious adoption groups to refuse to offer adoptions to gay couples.[40]

Following his defeat in the 2018 Republican primary, Colyer left office with Kansas having a $900 million budget surplus.[41]

2018 gubernatorial election

[edit]

Colyer sought a full term as governor in the 2018 gubernatorial election.[42] During the campaign Colyer was supported by former U.S. Senate majority leader and 1996 Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole, the NRA Political Victory Fund, and the Kansas Farm Bureau.[43][44][45][46] One day before the election, his main Republican primary opponent, Secretary of State Kris Kobach, was endorsed by both Donald Trump and state Senate president Susan Wagle. Following the August 7 primary, Kobach narrowly led Colyer by a margin of 191 votes.[47] By August 9, his lead stood at 121 votes, but discrepancies in some counties needed resolution and provisional and absentee ballots may not have been counted in some counties.[48][49][50] After more votes were counted, Colyer conceded to Kobach on August 14,[51] becoming the first incumbent governor to lose a primary election since Hawaii governor Neil Abercrombie in 2014 election, who lost the Democratic primary to David Ige.[52][53]

Kobach lost the general election to the Democratic nominee, State Senator Laura Kelly, by 53,082 votes.[54][55]

Post-governorship

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In February 2020, HHS Secretary Alex Azar appointed Colyer to chair the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health (NACRHHS).[56][57]

2022 gubernatorial election

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Colyer campaigned for the Republican nomination in the 2022 gubernatorial election, but withdrew from the race in August 2021, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.[58][59]

2026 gubernatorial election

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On May 14, 2025, Colyer announced his campaign for the Republican nomination in the 2026 gubernatorial election.

Personal life

[edit]

Colyer has been married to Ruth Gutierrez since 1991. They have three daughters.[60]

On August 30, 2021, Colyer announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, a disease that both his father and grandfather had been afflicted with. He said he had started treatment and was "confident for a full recovery."[59]

Electoral history

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Kansas House of Representatives District 48 Republican Primary Election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Colyer 1,455 63.9
Republican Sherrelyn Smith 595 26.1
Republican Jeff Ippel 224 9.8
Kansas House of Representatives District 48 Election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Colyer 6,805 61.7
Democratic Pam Ippel 3,975 36.0
Libertarian Lorianne Fisher Koneczny 243 2.2
Kansas State Senate District 37 Republican Primary Election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Colyer 5,202 69.4
Republican Steve Baru 2,285 30.5
Kansas State Senate District 37 Election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Colyer 27,311 63.4
Democratic Bond Faulwell 13,249 30.7
Libertarian Rob Hodgkinson 2,464 5.7
Governor's election in Kansas, 2010[61]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Brownback – Jeff Colyer 530,760 63.28
Democratic Tom Holland – Kelly Kultala 270,166 32.21
Libertarian Andrew Gray – Stacey Davis 22,460 2.68
Reform Ken Cannon – Dan Faubion 15,397 1.84
Total votes 838,790 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic
Governor's election in Kansas, 2014[62]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Brownback – Jeff Colyer 433,196 49.82
Democratic Paul Davis – Jill Docking 401,100 46.13
Libertarian Keen A. Umbehr – Josh Umbehr 35,206 4.05
Total votes 869,502 100.00

References

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Jeff Colyer

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Jeffrey William Colyer (born June 3, 1960) is an American surgeon and Republican politician who served as the 47th of from January 31, 2018, to January 14, 2019, succeeding upon his resignation to become U.S. for International Religious Freedom. A fifth-generation Kansan raised in Hays, Colyer graduated with a in economics from before earning his and establishing a career in , including military medical service in where he treated wounded soldiers and coordinated reconstructive efforts. Entering elective office in 2007, he represented Overland Park in the until 2009, then served in the through 2011, before being elected Lieutenant Governor alongside Brownback, a position he held for two terms focused on , , and international trade promotion. As governor, Colyer prioritized fiscal reforms to stabilize Kansas's amid ongoing revenue shortfalls from prior cuts, advanced work requirements for eligibility to encourage employment, and signed legislation enhancing school funding while navigating intraparty challenges; his brief administration concluded after a narrow and acrimonious Republican primary defeat to in August 2018, amid disputes over election integrity and policy continuity. Following his governorship, Colyer returned to healthcare leadership, taking roles in strategic planning and administration at institutions including the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, while maintaining involvement in Kansas politics and conservative policy advocacy.

Early life and education

Family background and upbringing

Jeffrey William Colyer was born on June 3, 1960, in Hays, Kansas, to James Colyer, a dentist, and Lorene Martha (McKee) Colyer. His parents were married for 67 years until James's death in 2015 at age 89. Colyer hails from a fifth-generation Kansas family, reflecting deep roots in the state. Colyer grew up in Hays, where his family owned a small and raised Pony of the Americas breed horses, which they exhibited at the Kansas State Fair. He attended Prep High School in Hays, graduating in 1978. This rural upbringing in western instilled an early connection to and community life in the region.

Academic pursuits and medical training

Colyer earned a bachelor's degree in from in 1981. He subsequently obtained a in from Clare Hall, Cambridge University, in 1982. These early academic pursuits reflected his interests in and global affairs prior to committing to . Colyer then pursued medical education at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1986. Following graduation, he completed residency training in general surgery at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., spanning 1986–1988 and 1989–1991, with an interruption for military service. This training equipped him for specialization in plastic and reconstructive surgery, areas in which he later became board-certified.

Professional career prior to politics

Medical practice as a surgeon

Colyer completed his surgical training with a residency in and trauma at Washington Hospital Center in , followed by a plastic surgery residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a fellowship in craniofacial and pediatric at the International Craniofacial Institute in , . He is board-certified by the American Board of . His clinical practice emphasizes reconstructive procedures, including craniofacial for complex skull and facial deformities in children, hand trauma repairs, and cosmetic enhancements. Colyer has treated over 20,000 patients in his career, with a particular focus on pediatric reconstructive cases. He maintains an active practice at Sano Orthopedics in , where he performs surgical interventions in these specialty areas. Following his service as governor, Colyer resumed full-time surgical duties at a clinic in , approximately one week after relinquishing office on January 14, 2019. Prior to intensified political involvement, his work included affiliations with practices such as Renaissance Plastic Surgical Arts, centered in the .

Military and humanitarian missions

Colyer began his involvement in humanitarian medical work during his early career as a craniofacial , volunteering with the (IMC) to deliver emergency care in conflict zones. His first mission occurred in 1985 in amid the Soviet occupation, where he provided surgical support in a high-risk environment. In 1994, Colyer served as the sole surgeon in southern during the , performing reconstructive surgeries on trauma victims and training local medical personnel under dire conditions. He subsequently deployed to multiple war-torn regions, including in April–May 2003, where he spent six weeks assisting Iraqi doctors with post-invasion medical operations; ; ; and additional trips to . Throughout his political tenure, Colyer maintained these commitments, participating in relief missions during holidays and supporting IMC fundraising efforts, such as climbing in 2013 to raise awareness for global . His work extended to over 20 countries, encompassing the , , , the Syrian border, and , focusing on and capacity-building in unstable areas. In 2024, Colyer volunteered for one month in amid the ongoing Russian invasion, treating battlefield injuries at an IMC-supported and noting unprecedented patterns of trauma from modern weaponry. These missions underscore his emphasis on direct intervention in crises, often in environments lacking basic .

Entry into politics and legislative service

Kansas House of Representatives

Colyer was elected to the in the November 2006 general election as a Republican and served one term from January 8, 2007, to January 12, 2009. His district encompassed parts of Overland Park in Johnson County, a suburban area near . During his House tenure, Colyer focused on , chairing the bipartisan Legislative established in 2007 to examine ways to improve Kansas's healthcare system, including cost controls and access expansion without federal mandates. He advocated for market-based reforms drawing from his background as a plastic surgeon, emphasizing personal responsibility and reduced intervention in . A signature initiative was his sponsorship of House Bill 2270 in the 2007 session, which aimed to define a at any stage of development as a "living human being" for purposes of laws, effectively seeking to grant legal to the unborn and strengthen penalties for crimes against fetuses. The measure aligned with his consistent opposition to abortion expansion and support for restrictions, though it faced opposition from pro-choice advocates who argued it could criminalize certain medical procedures. Colyer also backed conservative priorities such as requiring proof of citizenship for (precursor to voter ID laws), expanding rights for law-abiding citizens, and designating English as the official state language to promote assimilation and reduce bilingual costs. He opposed tax hikes, gambling expansion, and increases in , prioritizing fiscal restraint and free-market incentives. In 2008, amid and opportunity, Colyer ran for and won to the Kansas State Senate District 1, transitioning from the House after his initial term to pursue higher legislative influence.

Kansas State Senate

Colyer was elected to the Kansas State Senate in the 2008 general election, defeating Democratic incumbent Gwen Schwartz by a margin of 18,657 to 11,628 votes to represent the 9th district, encompassing portions of Overland Park in Johnson County. He assumed office on January 12, 2009, as a Republican member. His tenure lasted until January 10, 2011, when he resigned following his election as lieutenant governor alongside Sam Brownback. During his time in the , Colyer served on the Assessment and Taxation Committee and the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. As a physician specializing in , he drew on his professional expertise in legislative discussions related to and fiscal matters, though no major bills he sponsored became in this period. In the 2010 session, he voted in favor of HB 2130, which amended laws to increase enforcement flexibility, passing the 29-8. He also supported measures expanding options, consistent with his prior work on the House Health Reform Task Force. Colyer's Senate service emphasized conservative priorities, including tax relief and regulatory reform, aligning with his district's suburban Republican base. His brief term ended amid his selection as Brownback's in the 2010 gubernatorial race, which the Republican ticket won with 63% of the vote, prompting his transition to statewide office.

Service as Lieutenant Governor

Selection and 2010-2014 elections

On June 1, 2010, U.S. Senator announced his selection of Kansas State Senator as his running mate for in the Republican ticket for the . Colyer, a plastic surgeon from Overland Park and a conservative legislator, was chosen to complement Brownback's platform emphasizing and . In the Republican primary held on , , the Brownback-Colyer ticket secured the nomination without significant opposition, advancing to the general election. On November 2, , they defeated the Democratic nominees, State Senate Minority Leader Tom Holland and former Dennis Docking, capturing 530,760 votes or 63.28% of the total electorate. The victory margin exceeded 30 percentage points, reflecting strong Republican support amid a national midterm wave favoring the party. Brownback and Colyer were inaugurated on January 10, 2011, with Colyer assuming the lieutenant governorship. The Brownback-Colyer administration sought re-election in 2014 amid controversy over Brownback's 2012 tax cuts, which had contributed to state budget deficits. In the Republican primary on August 5, 2014, they won renomination handily against minor challengers. The general election on November 4, 2014, pitted them against Democratic challengers Paul Davis and Jill Docking, resulting in a narrow victory with 433,196 votes or 49.82% of the vote—less than 3 percentage points ahead of the Democrats' 46.49%. A Libertarian ticket garnered the remaining votes, splitting the opposition but not preventing the incumbents' re-election by 29,153 votes. Colyer continued as following the inauguration in January 2015.

Key responsibilities and legislative influence

As from 2011 to 2018, Jeff Colyer's core legislative role involved serving as President of the State Senate, where he presided over daily sessions, maintained order, and held the authority to cast tie-breaking votes in cases of deadlock. This position enabled him to shape procedural aspects of Senate business, though records indicate no publicly documented instances of him exercising the tie-breaker during his tenure. law further empowered the to assign the additional executive duties, such as heading state initiatives, which Colyer undertook in alignment with Sam Brownback's conservative priorities. Colyer exerted notable influence on healthcare policy, particularly by leading the implementation of KanCare, Kansas's privatization of services launched in January 2013. Under his oversight, the program shifted from traditional to contracts with private organizations, aiming to reduce costs through efficiency gains and performance-based incentives; proponents credit it with saving approximately $2 billion in state funds by 2018 while expanding access to services like behavioral health. He advocated against federal Affordable Care Act-driven expansion, arguing it would impose unsustainable fiscal burdens and dependency, consistent with the Brownback administration's rejection of expansion in multiple legislative sessions. In supporting Brownback's broader agenda, Colyer contributed to the defense of 2012 tax cuts that eliminated taxes on inherited businesses and reduced rates for high earners, positioning himself as a key advisor during legislative battles over revenue shortfalls. These reforms, which he helped promote as fiscally stimulative despite resulting deficits exceeding $1 billion annually by , underscored his alignment with supply-side economic policies, though critics attributed economic stagnation partly to underinvestment in public services. His legislative sway remained indirect, focused on executive advocacy rather than floor amendments, reflecting the lieutenant governor's constitutional limits.

Governorship

Ascension following Brownback resignation

Kansas Governor announced his resignation on January 25, 2018, effective at 3:00 p.m. CST on January 31, 2018, following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate as for International Religious Freedom in the Trump administration. Brownback's departure concluded a tenure marked by significant reforms and fiscal challenges, paving the way for Jeff Colyer to assume the governorship under the state's line of succession. Jeff Colyer was sworn in as the 47th Governor of Kansas on January 31, 2018, in a ceremony at the Kansas Statehouse administered by Chief Justice Lawton Nuss shortly after Brownback's resignation took effect. At age 57, Colyer emphasized continuity in conservative governance while signaling intent to address ongoing state issues, including budget shortfalls stemming from prior tax policies. The transition occurred without disruption, with Colyer immediately assuming executive authority and appointing as the new to fill the vacancy. Colyer's ascension positioned him to lead through the 2018 legislative session and prepare for the gubernatorial election later that year, during which he would seek a full term.

Major policy initiatives and executive actions

Upon assuming the governorship on January 31, 2018, Colyer prioritized stabilizing ' budget amid ongoing fiscal shortfalls from prior tax policies, while advancing reforms in child welfare, , and healthcare access. He signed Senate Bill 423 on June 18, 2018, enacting a comprehensive tax code overhaul that partially reversed elements of the 2012 Brownback-era cuts by increasing sales taxes, eliminating certain exemptions, and restructuring property taxes, projected to generate approximately $1.2 billion in additional revenue over six years to address chronic deficits. This measure aimed to restore fiscal balance without fully reinstating es, reflecting Colyer's emphasis on to avert further cuts to essential services. Colyer focused on bolstering K-12 funding, signing House Bill 2433 on April 17, , which allocated an additional $500 million over five years to public schools, phased in annually to comply with mandates from Gannon v. State rulings. Complementing this, he issued 18-03 on March 7, , establishing the Governor's Council on and Workforce Alignment to align curricula with workforce needs, emphasizing career preparation and reducing skill gaps in sectors like and healthcare. These actions sought to enhance educational outcomes without expanding bureaucracy, drawing on data showing Kansas lagging in per-pupil spending relative to national averages. In child welfare, Colyer targeted systemic failures at the Department for Children and Families (DCF), appointing Gina Meier-Hummel as secretary in early 2018 to oversee privatization reviews and implement transparency measures. He signed legislation opening state records on child fatalities and footage, promoting accountability, and launched a public dashboard in June 2018 to track reform metrics like foster placement stability and caseworker caseloads, amid federal scrutiny and rising child removals exceeding 7,000 annually. Despite these initiatives, the system faced a class-action lawsuit in November 2018 alleging violations of foster , highlighting persistent challenges in and oversight. Healthcare policies under Colyer included signing the Kansas Telemedicine Act (Senate Substitute for House Bill 2028) on May 12, 2018, expanding reimbursement for remote consultations while prohibiting telemedicine for medication-induced abortions, aligning with state restrictions on abortion providers. He also advanced (Kansas' ) reforms, vetoing budget provisions on May 15, 2018, that would have delayed a managed care overhaul projected to save $1.8 billion over five years through value-based payments and fraud reduction. Key executive orders underscored administrative priorities: On February 5, 2018, 18-04 mandated annual training for over 15,000 executive branch employees and established reporting protocols to foster a professional workplace environment. 18-12 on May 2, 2018, implemented "" for state hiring by deferring criminal history inquiries until after initial screening, aiming to broaden applicant pools while maintaining background checks. Late in his term, on November 21, 2018, introduced paid for state workers, providing up to six weeks at 100% pay for births or adoptions, benefiting approximately 17,000 employees and promoting family stability. Additional orders addressed open records transparency, drought emergencies, and regional , reflecting responsive amid natural challenges.

2018 gubernatorial election and defeat

Colyer sought election to a full term as governor in the Republican primary held on August 7, 2018, facing a primary challenge from , who had secured an endorsement from President and positioned himself as a more assertive conservative aligned with the national GOP base. The contest highlighted internal Republican divisions, with Colyer emphasizing his legislative experience and efforts to stabilize the state budget amid fallout from prior tax cuts under former Governor , while Kobach criticized Colyer for insufficient loyalty to Trump's agenda and promised aggressive policies on and election integrity. Initial results showed an extraordinarily narrow margin, with Kobach leading Colyer by 191 votes out of more than 300,000 cast after the vote. As provisional ballots and overseas votes were tallied over the following week, Kobach's lead expanded slightly to 398 votes by August 14, prompting Colyer to concede without requesting a recount; he stated that prolonging the dispute risked Democratic victory in the general election and endorsed Kobach to preserve Republican unity. Final certification by the on August 31 confirmed Kobach's win by 343 votes (Kobach: 121,080; Colyer: 120,737), marking one of the closest gubernatorial primaries in U.S. history and ending Colyer's bid for reelection. Kobach advanced to the general election on November 6, 2018, but lost to Democratic nominee by a margin of 506,509 votes (48.0%) to 453,030 (43.0%), with independent Greg Orman taking much of the remainder; Kelly's victory flipped the governorship to Democrats for the first time since 2003, amid voter backlash against Republican fiscal policies. Colyer's primary defeat, despite his incumbency and short tenure, reflected GOP base preferences for Kobach's Trump-aligned profile over Colyer's ties, though some analysts later speculated Colyer's moderation might have improved Republican chances in the general. His term as concluded on January 14, 2019, when Kelly was inaugurated.

Achievements in conservative reforms

Colyer signed Senate Bill 284 into on May 18, 2018, enabling faith-based child placement agencies to decline services or referrals that conflicted with their religious convictions while preserving their access to state funding for eligible placements. This legislation addressed prior court rulings that had restricted such agencies' operations, prioritizing religious liberty in and services as a counter to expanding nondiscrimination mandates. In May , Colyer approved multiple measures enhancing government accountability, including bills standardizing open records access and mandating prompt responses to public information requests and establishing uniform policies on reporting within state agencies. These actions aimed to reduce bureaucratic opacity and promote fiscal oversight, aligning with conservative emphases on and public scrutiny of expenditures. Colyer also signed House Bill 2353 on May 15, 2018, establishing one of the nation's most comprehensive compensation frameworks for wrongfully convicted individuals, providing up to $1.25 per day of incarceration plus support for housing, counseling, and . This reform addressed systemic errors in the process, incorporating conservative-backed elements like incentives for reviews without broadening liability for . Additionally, he enacted the Kansas Telemedicine Act via Senate Substitute for HB 2028, requiring insurers to reimburse telemedicine services on par with in-person care, fostering market-driven healthcare delivery and reducing regulatory barriers to virtual providers.

Criticisms and political challenges

Colyer faced significant intra-party challenges during his brief governorship, culminating in a narrow defeat in the August 7, 2018, Republican primary for the gubernatorial nomination to , who held a Trump administration endorsement and appealed to the party's populist base. Initial results showed Kobach leading by 345 votes after counting provisional ballots, prompting Colyer's concession on August 14, 2018, following a partial recount that confirmed the margin. The race highlighted divisions within Republicans, with Colyer positioned as the establishment candidate tied to prior administration policies, while Kobach criticized him for insufficient aggressiveness in debates and for perceived moderation. A primary source of criticism centered on Colyer's association with Sam Brownback's 2012 tax cuts, which reduced state revenue by an estimated $700 million annually and contributed to chronic budget shortfalls exceeding $1 billion by 2017, necessitating partial reversals. In a July 2018 Republican forum, opponents including Kobach and state Representative Jim Barnett directly blamed the "Brownback-Colyer team" for fiscal mismanagement, with Kobach stating, "The failure of the Brownback Colyer team was in when they cut taxes, the government kept on growing," and Barnett claiming the "tax experiment brought this state to its knees." Colyer defended his record by emphasizing forward-looking tax simplification and distancing himself from past shortfalls, arguing that had begun to stabilize revenues, though detractors contended his lieutenant governorship role implicated him in the policy's implementation and defense. Colyer's administration also drew opposition for continuing conservative pushes against expansion and for welfare reforms, sparking legislative battles that underscored partisan gridlock in Topeka. These efforts, inherited from Brownback, faced resistance from moderate Republicans and Democrats, who argued they exacerbated access issues without adequate funding, though Colyer maintained they aligned with fiscal restraint principles amid ongoing deficits. The cumulative effect positioned Colyer as vulnerable in the primary, where favored Kobach's outsider appeal despite Colyer's incumbency advantage and near-upset in a state with a strong Republican lean.

Post-governorship endeavors

2022 gubernatorial campaign withdrawal

On August 30, 2021, former Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer announced his withdrawal from the Republican primary for the 2022 gubernatorial election, citing a recent diagnosis of prostate cancer that required immediate treatment and additional time with his family. Colyer, who had launched his campaign earlier in 2021 emphasizing his executive experience and conservative record, stated that the health challenge necessitated prioritizing recovery over the demands of the race. In his announcement, Colyer endorsed Kansas Attorney General , his primary opponent in the GOP primary, describing Schmidt as the strongest candidate to challenge incumbent Democratic in the general election. This endorsement effectively consolidated Republican support behind Schmidt, who had been polling competitively but faced a crowded field; Colyer's exit removed a key rival with prior gubernatorial experience and fundraising capabilities. The withdrawal came amid a competitive primary landscape, where Colyer had positioned himself as a moderate conservative alternative, drawing on his brief tenure as in 2018 following Sam Brownback's . Political analysts noted that Colyer's departure simplified the path for Schmidt, potentially strengthening the Republican effort to reclaim the ship after Kelly's 2018 upset victory. Colyer expressed optimism about his , indicating plans to focus on while remaining engaged in politics.

2026 gubernatorial campaign launch and platform

On May 15, 2025, Jeff Colyer formally launched his campaign for the Republican nomination in the 2026 Kansas gubernatorial election at a rally in Wichita. In the announcement, Colyer drew parallels between his prior brief tenure as the state's 47th governor and potential return as the 49th to President Donald Trump's nonconsecutive terms as the 45th and 47th U.S. president, positioning himself as a tested leader capable of returning to address unfinished business. He invoked his background as a , likening government waste to cancerous growths that require precise excision, and pledged to apply similar discipline to state operations. Prior to the launch, Colyer had appointed state Representative Kyle Hoffman as campaign treasurer on May 12, 2025, signaling organizational readiness and emphasizing as a core theme. Hoffman's endorsement highlighted Colyer's record in humanitarian efforts and budget restraint. Colyer, who had served as chairman for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, explicitly aligned his bid with Trump's agenda, praising the president's return to office as a model for resilient conservative governance. Colyer's platform centered on economic revitalization through reduced and lower taxes to foster growth in small businesses, , and high-wage sectors like and . He advocated securing state borders against , prioritizing the of undocumented immigrants with criminal records. On social issues, Colyer committed to prohibiting medical interventions intended to affirm in minors, framing it as protection against irreversible procedures lacking empirical support for long-term benefits. The campaign strategy included a statewide to rural counties, promoting a "winning message" rooted in conservative principles and Colyer's legislative and executive experience.

Other political and public activities

Colyer has maintained an active role in humanitarian medical service, leveraging his background as a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. In 1994, he volunteered with the as the only surgeon operating in southern during the , treating severe injuries amid widespread violence that claimed approximately 800,000 lives. In April-May 2003, he spent six weeks in , assisting local physicians with reconstructive surgeries in a war zone as part of the same organization's emergency response. His volunteer efforts extended to other conflict areas, including , where he provided surgical care in hazardous conditions. In support of the ' global relief initiatives, Colyer summited to raise awareness and funds for . More recently, from April to May 2024, he volunteered for one month at Mechnikov Hospital in , , performing reconstructive procedures on war-injured patients amid the ongoing Russian invasion. These missions underscore his commitment to frontline medical aid in unstable regions, separate from his elected roles.

Political ideology and views

Economic and fiscal conservatism

Colyer has positioned himself as a , advocating for lower taxes, reduced regulations, and efficient government operations to promote . During his gubernatorial campaign, he emphasized support for "common-sense solutions to lower taxes" while aligning with Republican principles of intervention in the economy. As under , Colyer backed the administration's earlier tax cuts, which aimed to stimulate but resulted in persistent shortfalls exceeding $1 billion annually by 2017. Upon ascending to the governorship on January 31, 2018, Colyer inherited these fiscal challenges and prioritized stabilization without broad tax reversals. He signed a $6.6 billion general fund on , 2018, incorporating $525 million in phased K-12 school funding increases over five years to meet mandates, funded through revenue growth and expenditure reallocations rather than new taxes. Colyer exercised line-item vetoes in the bill to curb certain provisions, such as those potentially delaying reforms, reflecting a preference for targeted spending controls. He publicly stated that adequate school funding could be achieved without tax hikes, proposing efficiencies like improved open records processes and online transparency to offset costs. Critics within the Republican Party, including primary challenger , faulted Colyer for insufficient spending restraint, accusing him of "spending like a " and refusing a no-new-taxes pledge amid ongoing debates over reversing Brownback-era cuts. Despite such internal tensions, Colyer's administration contributed to fiscal recovery, with achieving a budget surplus by the end of his term through revenue rebounds and controlled outlays. In subsequent political activities, including his 2026 gubernatorial bid, Colyer has reiterated commitments to fiscal responsibility, low taxes, and conservative economic values as core to prosperity.

Social and cultural positions

Colyer has consistently advocated for restrictions on , describing himself as staunchly anti- and supporting measures to prohibit the procedure except in cases where the mother's life is at risk. In February 2018, shortly after assuming the governorship, he proposed a to enshrine Kansas's existing abortion limits, arguing that the state's founders had prohibited both and under the same constitutional framework. He endorsed bans on late-term and partial-birth , aligning with legislative efforts to limit the practice to earlier gestational stages. On issues involving religious liberty and adoption, Colyer signed Senate Bill 284 into law on May 18, 2018, permitting faith-based child placement agencies receiving state funds to decline services to prospective parents whose households conflicted with the agencies' sincerely held religious beliefs, including refusals based on same-sex relationships or . His administration defended the measure as a means to increase participation from religious organizations in and , thereby addressing shortages in placements for abused and neglected children, rather than an endorsement of . This action reflected his prioritization of religious exemptions in , consistent with his Catholic upbringing and support for Christian conservative principles. Colyer has upheld Second Amendment rights as a core cultural value, receiving endorsement from the in his 2018 gubernatorial campaign over rival . He maintained that any gun regulations must primarily respect constitutional protections while targeting threats like mental illness, and he signed House Bill 2145 in April 2018 to prohibit firearm possession by individuals convicted of misdemeanor within the prior five years, framing it as a public safety measure without broader infringements on law-abiding owners. In with cultural implications, Colyer emphasized schools as environments for learning free from political agendas, signing in April 2018 to increase K-12 by over $500 million across five years while advocating multi-year stability over one-size-fits-all approaches. He deferred decisions on to local districts, underscoring community autonomy in safety protocols amid debates on .

Views on national issues and Trump alignment

Colyer endorsed for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination on November 25, 2023, emphasizing the need for reforms to address inefficiencies in the U.S. system, including Trump's 2020 banning surprise . As a physician and former , Colyer highlighted Trump's focus on lowering drug prices and improving access, aligning with his own appointment by Trump in February 2020 to chair a panel on care policy. This endorsement positioned Colyer as a supporter of Trump's "" priorities, which he later invoked in his May 14, 2025, announcement for the 2026 gubernatorial race, stating that Trump's campaign style inspired him to advance similar conservative reforms at the state level. In his role as Trump's 2024 Kansas state campaign chairman, Colyer promoted Trump's platform, including praise for vice presidential pick JD Vance's background as appealing to working-class voters. He headlined a May 1, 2025, event organized by the Kansas First PAC to celebrate Trump's first 100 days in office, underscoring his commitment to national Republican priorities such as border security and economic . On September 2, 2025, Colyer advocated for a special legislative session to redraw congressional districts, aiming to create an additional Republican-leaning seat to bolster GOP influence in Washington and support Trump's agenda, framing it as a move to "Make Great Again." Regarding specific national issues, Colyer backed Trump's February 2018 proposal to allow arming select teachers as a school safety measure, stating during a Washington forum that "that's where the students are, that's where the security issue is immediately." On immigration, which emerged as a flashpoint in Kansas Republican politics, Colyer navigated tensions between enforcement and business interests during his 2018 gubernatorial primary against hardline Kris Kobach; after conceding on August 14, 2018, he endorsed Kobach, signaling alignment with Trump's restrictive policies despite his own record of supporting legal workforce programs for agriculture. Foreign policy positions remain less documented in Colyer's public statements, though his succession from Sam Brownback—who was nominated for a Trump ambassadorship—reflected continuity in conservative internationalism without explicit divergences from Trump's "America First" skepticism toward multilateral commitments. Overall, Colyer's post-2018 trajectory has shifted toward fuller embrace of Trump-era Republicanism, contrasting earlier perceptions of him as a more establishment figure.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Jeff Colyer has been married to Ruth Gutierrez since 1991. The couple met while Colyer was attending medical school, and their marriage has spanned over three decades, during which Gutierrez served as Kansas's First Lady from January 2018 to January 2019 following Colyer's ascension to the governorship. Colyer and Gutierrez have three daughters: , Serena, and . The family has resided primarily in , where Colyer practiced before entering full-time politics. Public records and biographical accounts indicate no prior marriages or significant romantic relationships for Colyer, with his family life centered on supporting his medical and political endeavors.

Health challenges and resilience

In August 2021, Colyer was diagnosed with , a condition he noted was hereditary, having affected both his father and grandfather. The diagnosis prompted him to suspend his campaign for the Republican nomination in the , allowing him to prioritize treatment and family. Colyer initiated treatment shortly after the and expressed optimism regarding his , stating he was "confident for a full recovery." As a trained physician specializing in plastic and , he drew on his medical background to manage the illness, emphasizing focus on health over political ambitions during this period. By May 2025, Colyer had sufficiently recovered to launch a campaign for the 2026 gubernatorial election, signaling his return to public life and effective management of the health setback. This resumption of high-profile activities underscored his resilience, as he shifted from treatment to renewed engagement in state politics without reported ongoing complications from the cancer.

Electoral history

Colyer was elected to the representing District 84 in the 2006 and reelected in 2008. He then won election to the Kansas State Senate in 2008, serving from 2009 to 2011. In the , Colyer was elected on the Republican ticket with gubernatorial candidate , receiving 530,760 votes or 63.0 percent against the Democratic ticket of and Kelly Kultar. The Brownback-Colyer ticket was reelected in the with 433,196 votes or 49.8 percent, defeating the Democratic ticket of Paul Davis and Jennifer Docking, who received 422,146 votes or 48.7 percent.
YearOfficePartyPrimary votePrimary %General voteGeneral %
2010 of RepublicanUnopposedUnopposed530,76063.0%
2014 of RepublicanUnopposedUnopposed433,19649.8%
2018Governor of Republican126,46940.5%N/AN/A
Colyer became upon Brownback's resignation on January 31, 2018, but lost the 2018 Republican primary for a full term to by a margin of 343 votes out of over 312,000 cast, with Kobach receiving 126,812 votes (40.6 percent). Colyer announced his candidacy for the 2022 Republican gubernatorial nomination in April 2021 but withdrew in August 2021 following a diagnosis, prior to the primary election.

References

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