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From: Jim Williams, Public Policy Polling
To: Interested Parties
Subject: KS-02 Shows Opportunity for Close Race Once Voters Learn More About
the Candidates
Date: March 19, 2026

A new PPP poll in Kansas’ 2nd Congressional district finds Don Coover within the margin
of error against Republican incumbent Derek Schmidt once voters hear more about the
backgrounds of each candidate. The horserace starts out with Coover at 39% and Schmidt
at 49%. But 57% of voters find Dr. Don Coover’s biography as a convincing reason to vote
for him compared to 50% for Congressman Schmidt, and the informed ballot has Coover
in just a 4-point deficit at 45%-41%, in a district Schmidt won by 19 points in 2024.

In a district that favored President Trump voters by 20 points in the 2024 election and in
this poll is +24 in Republican Party identification, President Trump has a -2 negative
approval rating in the district, with 46% approving and 48% disapproving, while
Democratic Governor Kelly is at +6, with 42% approving and 36% disapproving.

It’s notable how much the President’s ratings have fallen in the district – only 75% of
Trump’s voters from last time still approving of him here is about the worst we’ve seen
anywhere in the country. All those disenchanted Republicans leave a path to making this
race competitive.

PPP interviewed 530 registered voters in Kansas’ 2nd Congressional district on March 11-
12, 2026. The margin of error for the poll is +/- 4.3%. 64% of interviews were conducted
by text and 36% by landline.