Tom Kessler
Republican · KS · Kansas State Representative, District 96
Tom Kessler owns and operates Tom's Wine & Spirits in south Wichita and chairs the House Federal and State Affairs Committee. His priorities include stopping property tax hikes and keeping K-12 schools a top priority while improving classroom results.
Where Tom Kessler stands, based on their records
Supports
Government Efficiency (1 record), Public Education Quality (3 records), Election Integrity (6 records),
Opposes
Immigration (4 records), Government Spending Reduction (5 records), Social Programs and Welfare (3 records),
Mixed record
Housing Affordability (1 support · 2 oppose), Data Privacy (2 support · 1 oppose)
Campaign finance information not available
Track record
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 1 support
Voted to consolidate state cybersecurity services under SB 291.
April 26, 2024Supports Government Efficiency
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — Immigration
Immigration · 4 oppose
Voted to override the veto of mandatory cooperation with federal immigration enforcement under HB 2372.
April 9, 2026Opposes Immigration
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a conference report changing public-benefit and in-state-tuition eligibility under SB 254.
March 19, 2026Opposes Immigration
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to require reporting identifying information about noncitizens receiving public benefits under HB 2491.
February 18, 2026Opposes Immigration
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a bill concerning cooperation with federal immigration enforcement under HB 2717.
March 23, 2022Opposes Immigration
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 5 oppose
Voted for a state budget appropriations conference report under HB 2513.
March 26, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a state budget appropriations conference report under SB 125.
March 27, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a K-12 education appropriations conference report under SB 387.
April 26, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a K-12 education appropriations bill under HB 2512.
March 23, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a bill combining K-12 appropriations and school-choice provisions under HB 2119.
March 30, 2021Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 1 support · 2 oppose
Voted to preempt local protections against housing-voucher discrimination under HB 2504.
February 18, 2026Opposes Housing Affordability
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to repeal an affordable-housing tax credit under HB 2119.
February 20, 2025Opposes Housing Affordability
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for affordable-housing tax credits under HB 2237.
April 26, 2022Supports Housing Affordability
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — Social Programs and Welfare
Social Programs and Welfare · 3 oppose
Voted for a conference report changing public-benefit and in-state-tuition eligibility under SB 254.
March 19, 2026Opposes Social Programs and Welfare
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to require reporting identifying information about noncitizens receiving public benefits under HB 2491.
February 18, 2026Opposes Social Programs and Welfare
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of added SNAP work requirements under HB 2094.
April 26, 2023Opposes Social Programs and Welfare
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — Public Education Quality
Public Education Quality · 3 support
Voted for a K-12 education appropriations conference report under SB 387.
April 26, 2024Supports Public Education Quality
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a K-12 education appropriations bill under HB 2512.
March 23, 2022Supports Public Education Quality
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a bill combining K-12 appropriations and school-choice provisions under HB 2119.
March 30, 2021Supports Public Education Quality
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — Gun Control
Gun Control · 1 oppose
Voted to override the veto of concealed handgun licenses for adults ages 18 to 20 under HB 2058.
May 3, 2021Opposes Gun Control
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — Women's Reproductive Rights
Women's Reproductive Rights · 2 oppose
Voted to override the veto of abortion-reason reporting requirements under HB 2749.
April 29, 2024Opposes Women's Reproductive Rights
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for abortion medication-reversal notices under HB 2439.
March 29, 2023Opposes Women's Reproductive Rights
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — Election Integrity
Election Integrity · 6 support
Voted to override the veto of voter-record checks and registration-website restrictions under HB 2437.
April 9, 2026Supports Election Integrity
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of restrictions on federal election funding under HB 2618.
April 29, 2024Supports Election Integrity
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of limits on executive changes to election law under HB 2252.
May 23, 2022Supports Election Integrity
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for electronic pollbook and voting-system requirements under HB 2138.
April 26, 2022Supports Election Integrity
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of election rules restricting private election funding under HB 2183.
May 3, 2021Supports Election Integrity
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of election-law changes under HB 2332.
May 3, 2021Supports Election Integrity
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — Personal Income Tax Reduction
Personal Income Tax Reduction · 3 support
Voted to override the veto of future personal income tax cuts tied to revenue growth under SB 269.
April 10, 2025Supports Personal Income Tax Reduction
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a conference report cutting personal income tax rates and changing Social Security taxation under SB 37.
April 30, 2024Supports Personal Income Tax Reduction
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a conference report cutting personal income tax rates and changing other taxes under SB 169.
April 6, 2023Supports Personal Income Tax Reduction
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — Data Privacy
Data Privacy · 2 support · 1 oppose
Voted to require reporting identifying information about noncitizens receiving public benefits under HB 2491.
February 18, 2026Opposes Data Privacy
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to consolidate state cybersecurity services under SB 291.
April 26, 2024Supports Data Privacy
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for limits on disclosure of nonprofit donors under HB 2495.
April 28, 2022Supports Data Privacy
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 6 oppose
Voted to override the veto of sex-based restroom and identification rules under SB 244.
February 18, 2026Opposes Civil Rights
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to preempt local protections against housing-voucher discrimination under HB 2504.
February 18, 2026Opposes Civil Rights
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of restrictions on gender transition care for minors under SB 63.
February 18, 2025Opposes Civil Rights
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of restrictions on gender transition care for minors under SB 233; the override failed.
April 29, 2024Opposes Civil Rights
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted against withdrawing from committee a bill to repeal Kansas’ opposite-sex marriage restriction under HB 2177.
April 1, 2024Opposes Civil Rights
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of statutory biological-sex definitions under SB 180.
April 27, 2023Opposes Civil Rights
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — Corporate Accountability
Corporate Accountability · 3 support
Voted for a right-to-repair conference report under HB 2700.
March 26, 2026Supports Corporate Accountability
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for consumer safeguards in contract-for-deed home sales under HB 2101.
February 22, 2024Supports Corporate Accountability
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to limit electric utilities’ recovery of transmission costs under HB 2225.
March 16, 2023Supports Corporate Accountability
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Track record — General
General · 35 records
Received the Kansas Farm Bureau VOTE FBF endorsement for the 2026 Kansas House election.
June 30, 2026
Source: kfb.org · researched September 25, 2026
As a House conferee, moved adoption of the SB 356 conference report that included firearm hold agreements.
March 26, 2026
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
As a House conferee, moved adoption of the SB 254 conference report changing public-benefit and in-state-tuition eligibility.
March 19, 2026
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of HB 2651 on paternity acknowledgments.
March 17, 2026
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Requested HB 2790, introduced by a House committee, to share birth-record information with the treasurer for children’s savings-account notices.
March 4, 2026
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted against a charity-care screening bill under HB 2736.
February 19, 2026
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Testified to the House Judiciary Committee in support of HB 2651 on paternity acknowledgments.
February 11, 2026
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Requested HB 2651, introduced by a House committee, to allow challenges to paternity acknowledgments involving fraud or mistake.
February 3, 2026
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Cosponsored HB 2599 exempting businesses run by minors from some sales taxes and local licensing rules.
January 29, 2026
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Requested HB 2501, introduced by a House committee, to authorize voluntary firearm hold agreements.
January 21, 2026
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a sales tax exemption for data centers under SB 98.
April 11, 2025
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of state procurement policy changes under HB 2284.
April 10, 2025
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of legislative approval rules for federal public-assistance waivers under HB 2240.
April 10, 2025
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to discontinue certain statewide property tax levies under SB 35.
March 26, 2025
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of an Election Day arrival deadline for mail ballots under SB 4.
March 25, 2025
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to prohibit ranked-choice voting under SB 6.
March 13, 2025
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to allow transfers of Kansas housing investor tax credits under HB 2096.
February 26, 2025
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a property tax exemption for energy-storage facilities under HB 2083.
February 19, 2025
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Cosponsored HB 2005 offering property-tax relief for qualifying veterans through an income-tax credit.
January 13, 2025
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Received the Kansas Farm Bureau VOTE FBF endorsement for the 2024 Kansas House election.
October 23, 2024
Source: kfb.org · researched September 25, 2026
Received the Wichita Regional Chamber PAC endorsement for the 2024 Kansas House election.
October 3, 2024
Source: wichitachamber.org · researched September 25, 2026
Received the NFIB Kansas PAC endorsement for the 2024 Kansas House election.
September 16, 2024
Source: nfib.com · researched September 25, 2026
Cosponsored HB 2514 changing school open-enrollment priority for Kansas residents.
January 17, 2024
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of looser child-care licensing ratios under HB 2344; the override failed.
April 27, 2023
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of a parental education-rights bill under HB 2236; the override failed.
April 27, 2023
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to require advance ballots to arrive by 7 p.m. on Election Day under SB 209.
March 29, 2023
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Received the NFIB Kansas PAC endorsement for the 2022 Kansas House election.
August 31, 2022
Source: nfib.com · researched September 25, 2026
Received the Kansas Farm Bureau VOTE FBF endorsement for the 2022 Kansas House election.
June 30, 2022
Source: kfb.org · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a state appropriations conference report under SB 267.
April 1, 2022
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a school open-enrollment bill under HB 2615.
March 23, 2022
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a House bill regulating medical marijuana under SB 158.
May 6, 2021
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to override the veto of tax changes under SB 50.
May 3, 2021
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted for a state appropriations bill under HB 2007.
April 9, 2021
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Voted to allow licensing of a foster home where a former foster youth with juvenile adjudications lives under HB 2448.
March 30, 2021
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Cosponsored HB 2328 offering tax credits to aerospace employers and graduates.
February 10, 2021
Source: kslegislature.gov · researched September 25, 2026
Race Tom Kessler is in:
- Kansas House of Representatives District 96 · November 3, 2026 · State House District 96; Kansas · incumbent
Profile last researched September 24, 2026.