Patrick Schmidt (politician)
Patrick Schmidt | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Kansas Senate from the 19th district | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Dennis Pyle |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Megan Walden |
| Residence | Topeka, Kansas |
| Education | Tufts University (B) |
| Military service | |
| Branch | United States Navy |
Patrick Schmidt is an American politician serving as a member of the Kansas Senate from the 19th district.
Early life and education
Schmidt grew up in Overland Park, Kansas.[1] He earned a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University in 2013.[2]
Career
Schmidt served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserves and worked at the Pentagon.[3]
2022 U.S. House campaign
In 2022, Schmidt ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Kansas' 2nd district challenging incumbent Republican Jake LaTurner.[4] The January 6 United States Capitol attack motivated him to enter politics.[3] He criticized LaTurner for his vote to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and for his opposition to abortion rights. LaTurner won with 57% to Schmidt's 42% of the vote.[5]
Kansas Senate
Elections
After redistricting made the 19th District of the Kansas Senate a safely Democratic seat, Schmidt announced his candidacy for the 2024 election. He defeated House Minority Leader Vic Miller and ShaMecha King Simms in the primary.
Tenure
In 2025, Schmidt crticized Republicans for advancing legislation which would eliminate property taxes for private jets and yachts, banning gender-affirming care for minors, and compell teachers to not use minors preferred name or pronouns instead of tax relief legislation. He broke from his party and voted to support a constitutional amendment referendum that limits taxable property valuations from increasing by more than 3% annually.[3]
Electoral history
2022
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Patrick Schmidt | 54,439 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 54,439 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Jake LaTurner (incumbent) | 134,506 | 57.6 | |
| Democratic | Patrick Schmidt | 98,852 | 42.4 | |
| Total votes | 233,358 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
2024
| Primary election | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
| Democratic | Patrick Schmidt | 2,591 | 53.01 | ||
| Democratic | Vic Miller | 1,681 | 34.39 | ||
| Democratic | ShaMecha King Simms | 616 | 12.60 | ||
| Total votes | 4,888 | 100.00 | |||
| General election | |||||
| Democratic | Patrick Schmidt | 16,784 | 64.55 | ||
| Republican | Tyler Wible | 9,216 | 35.45 | ||
| Total votes | 26,000 | 100.00 | |||
| Democratic win (new boundaries) | |||||
Personal life
Schmidt resides in Topeka, Kansas, with his wife, Megan Walden.[1]
References
- ^ a b Carpenter, Tim (July 25, 2022). "James Carville welcomes youth, tenacity of Kansas Democratic challenger to U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ "LaTurner makes visit to Casey's in Tonganoxie". The Tonganoxie Mirror. September 9, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ a b c Smith, Sherman (March 3, 2025). "Freshman Kansas senator 'trying to stop bad stuff' while pressing for property tax relief". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- ^ "Former naval officer running for Kansas 2nd seat in Congress". Associated Press. July 6, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- ^ Desrochers, Daniel; Hardy, Kevin (November 8, 2022). "U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas defeats Mark Holland, wins third term in Washington". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved September 11, 2025.