RismadarVoice Reporters
November 13, 2026
Nigerian-American politician KC Ohaebosim has been elected Lieutenant Governor of Kansas, becoming the first Nigerian-American reported to have secured the position in the United States.
Ohaebosim, a Democrat from Wichita, won alongside Governor-elect Cindy Holscher following the November 3 midterm elections.
Their victory was confirmed by the Associated Press on November 12 after a closely contested election against Republican candidate Ty Masterson, the Kansas Senate President.
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, congratulated Ohaebosim on Friday, describing his election as a historic achievement for Nigerians in the diaspora.
The election also marks a significant moment in Kansas political history, with Ohaebosim becoming the second Black person elected to statewide office, following Edward P. McCabe, who was elected state auditor in the 1880s.
According to the Kansas Reflector, Holscher led Masterson by 7,644 votes in unofficial results.
The narrow margin triggered a legally required audit, delaying the declaration of a winner for more than a week.
Masterson subsequently conceded defeat and congratulated Holscher.
Although the outcome has been called, formal certification of the election results is scheduled for December 1.
Ohaebosim has represented Kansas’ 89th District in the state House of Representatives since 2017.
He joined Holscher’s gubernatorial ticket instead of seeking another term in the state legislature.
Born in Wichita to Nigerian parents, Ohaebosim spent part of his childhood in Nigeria before returning to the United States.
He attended Wichita Heights High School and later obtained degrees from Wichita State University and Newman University.
Before entering politics, he worked in technology-related fields, including data analysis.
During his legislative career, Ohaebosim served on committees dealing with transportation, government budgeting, energy, utilities and telecommunications.
His election comes amid broader Democratic gains in Kansas, where the party also won the attorney general and United States Senate contests.
Democrats additionally ended the Republican Party’s veto-proof supermajority in the Kansas House of Representatives, although Republicans retained legislative control.
Holscher and Ohaebosim are expected to assume office on January 11, 2027, succeeding the administration of outgoing Governor Laura Kelly.
Ohaebosim’s election represents a milestone in Nigerian-American political representation and adds to the growing participation of Nigerians in public leadership abroad.
