The Ballot Brief
Butler County, Kansas

Kansas House District 85

Truelove and Brunk are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Butler County election filings.

About this race

August 4 primary result: Mackenzi Truelove was unopposed for the Democratic nomination; Steven Brunk won the Republican nomination with 72.3 percent over Ronald Neagle. The nominees meet on the November 3 ballot, per the Kansas Secretary of State's official primary results. The field matches the Kansas Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list as of September 6, 2026. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Steven Brunk, is on the ballot.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Kansas › Butler County › Kansas House District 85

Mackenzi Truelove

Mackenzi Truelove

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Expansion of Medicaid
  • Fully fund education
  • Expand access to healthcare
Biography

Per the campaign site, Mackenzi Truelove holds a bachelor's degree in biomedical science and a Master of Health Administration from Wichita State University and has worked about eight years in clinical research. Mackenzi Truelove is the Democratic nominee for Kansas House District 85 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Kansas Secretary of State's 2026 general election candidate list.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Steven Brunk

Steven Brunk

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Constitutional amendment on citizen-only voting to protect election integrity
  • Guardrails on automated license plate readers
  • Constitutionally protecting the budget stabilization fund
Biography

Brunk is President of Brunk Realty, Inc., led since 1982 in residential sales, property management and business brokerage, per the campaign site. Brunk served in the Kansas House for District 85 from 2003 to 2016, including as Chair of Commerce and Labor and House Majority Whip, and was State Director and Policy Director of the Family Policy Alliance from 2016 to 2018, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotKansas House District 88

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Voting info and more

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Kansas House District 85 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Kansas House District 85 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Mackenzi Truelove and Steven Brunk. Candidate information follows official Butler County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Kansas House District 85 election in Kansas?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Kansas are on the Kansas election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Butler County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Butler County and state election office filings, last verified October 14, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Kansas election office, or see the full Butler County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Butler County ballot

13 tracked races in Butler County, Kansas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Kansas House District 99District Court Judge, 13th Judicial District, Division 1District Court Judge, 13th Judicial District, Division 4See all 13 Butler County races
Candidate profiles
Mackenzi Truelove, full profileSteven Brunk, full profileOfficial Kansas election office