Cynthia L. Holscher (née Blumhorst, born April 26, 1969) is an American politician who served in the Kansas House of Representatives from the 16th district from 2017 to 2020, and was elected to represent the 8th district for the Kansas Senate starting in 2021. She is a member of the Democratic Party and is the Democratic nominee in the 2026 Kansas gubernatorial election.
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Early life and education
Holscher was raised on a farm near Slater, Missouri and attended Slater High School, graduating in 1987. Her father, Archie, was a union concrete construction worker, and her mother, Wanita, worked as a bus driver and school custodian. She went on to attend the University of Missouri–Columbia, graduating in 1992 with degrees in journalism and political science. Holscher is a first-generation college graduate.
Career
Professional career
Holscher spent most of her career in corporate management at Sprint. She also worked as a temporary substitute teacher in Johnson County schools.
Political career
In 2016, Holscher ran for election to represent District 16 in the Kansas House of Representatives, and defeated Republican incumbent Amanda Grosserode. She won re-election in 2018.
Holscher was elected to represent district 8 in the Kansas Senate on November 3, 2020, defeating Republican state Representative James Todd in a competitive race.
On June 12, 2025, Holscher became the first Democrat to announce a bid for the governor of Kansas in the 2026 Kansas gubernatorial election. On May 14, 2026, she announced that Wichita state representative Kelechi Ohaebosim would be her running mate.
Holscher focused her 2026 gubernatorial campaign on cost of living and public education. She supports cannabis legalization, including for both medical and recreational uses. Holscher states that tax revenues from cannabis legalization could be put towards public schooling and that Kansas farmers could profit from cultivating cannabis. She seeks a statewide moratorium on data centers. Holscher is critical of Donald Trump's tariffs and their impact on farmers. Holscher supports Medicaid expansion in Kansas.
Personal life
Holscher married Greg Holscher in September 1992. They have three children together.