Former KCK Mayor Mark Holland to run for U.S. Senate, the first major Democrat in race
Democrat Mark Holland, the former mayor of Kansas City, Kan., is poised to run for U.S. Senate, becoming the first major candidate to take on Republican Sen. Jerry Moran.
Holland, 52, mayor of the KCK-Wyandotte County Unified Government from 2013 to 2018 and a United Methodist pastor, has not formally launched his bid. But he has established a campaign committee, according to paperwork filed Friday with the Federal Election Commission.
Jimmie Banks, Holland’s campaign treasurer, told The Star a formal announcement would come Monday. Holland also declined to comment on his plans to KCUR, which first reported Friday on his campaign.
Holland faces a steep climb against Moran. The Republican, first elected to the Senate in 2010, has easily dispatched past Democratic opponents, winning 70% of the vote in 2010 and 62% in 2016.
Moran had $3.4 million cash on hand at the end of June, according to campaign finance records. His campaign didn’t immediately comment Friday.
But he may have an easy time securing the Democratic nomination. The only Democrat in the race, Michael Soetaert, hasn’t reported any fundraising.
As mayor, Holland faced criticism over property taxes and accusations that he alienated public service workers. Current Mayor David Alvey unseated him in November 2017, making him the first incumbent mayor defeated in an election in 30 years.
The Star’s Daniel Desrochers contributed reporting
This story was originally published October 1, 2021 at 4:53 PM.
