Robert Olson (Kansas)

Robert Olson

Republican Party

Kansas State Senate District 23

Tenure

2011 - Present

Term ends

2025

Years in position

13

Prior offices

Kansas House of Representatives

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Compensation

Base salary

$86.66/session day

Per diem

$157/day

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 3, 2020

Appointed

December 20, 2010

Personal

Profession

Contractor

Contact

Official website

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Robert Olson (Republican Party) is a member of the Kansas State Senate, representing District 23. He assumed office in 2011. His current term ends on January 13, 2025.

Olson (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Kansas State Senate to represent District 23. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Olson served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011.

Committee assignments

2023-2024

Olson was assigned to the following committees:

• Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
• Senate Judiciary Committee

2021-2022

Olson was assigned to the following committees:

• Legislative Post Audit Committee
• Commerce Committee, Chair
• Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
• Utilities Committee

2019-2020

Olson was assigned to the following committees:

• Legislative Post Audit Committee
• Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, Vice Chair
• Commerce Committee
• Confirmation Oversight Committee
• Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, Chair
• Utilities Committee

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Olson served on the following committees:

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Olson served on the following committees:

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Olson served on these committees:

Kansas committee assignments, 2011
• Commerce
• Financial Institutions and Insurance

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Olson served on these committees:

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2020

See also: Kansas State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Kansas State Senate District 23

Incumbent Robert Olson defeated Wendy Budetti in the general election for Kansas State Senate District 23 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Olson (R)	53.1	20,235
		Wendy Budetti (D)	46.9	17,864

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 38,099
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Kansas State Senate District 23

Wendy Budetti advanced from the Democratic primary for Kansas State Senate District 23 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Wendy Budetti	100.0	5,591

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,591
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kansas State Senate District 23

Incumbent Robert Olson defeated Chris Lengquist in the Republican primary for Kansas State Senate District 23 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Olson	57.7	5,218
		Chris Lengquist	42.3	3,826

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,044
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2016

See also: Kansas State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Kansas State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2016.

Incumbent Robert Olson defeated Spencer Kerfoot in the Kansas State Senate District 23 general election.

Kansas State Senate, District 23 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Robert Olson Incumbent	60.57%	19,277
	Democratic	Spencer Kerfoot	39.43%	12,551
Total Votes				31,828
Source: Kansas Secretary of State

Spencer Kerfoot ran unopposed in the Kansas State Senate District 23 Democratic primary.

Kansas State Senate, District 23 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Spencer Kerfoot  (unopposed)

Incumbent Robert Olson ran unopposed in the Kansas State Senate District 23 Republican primary.

Kansas State Senate, District 23 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Robert Olson Incumbent (unopposed)

2012

See also: Kansas State Senate elections, 2012

Olson won re-election in the 2012 election for Kansas State Senate District 23. Olson ran unopposed in the August 7 Republican primary and defeated Steve Wright (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

Kansas State Senate, District 23, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Robert Olson Incumbent	63%	18,859
	Democratic	Steve Wright	37%	11,098
Total Votes				29,957

2010

See also: Kansas House of Representatives elections, 2010

Olson ran for re-election to the 26th District Seat in 2010 with no opposition. He was also unopposed in the GOP primary. The general election took place on November 2, 2010.

2008

See also: Kansas House of Representatives elections, 2008

On November 4, 2008, Olson was re-elected to the 26th District Seat in the Kansas House of Representatives, defeating Yvonne Marie Cunningham (L). Olson raised $52,220 for his campaign, while Cunningham raised $0.

Kansas House of Representatives, District 26
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Robert Olson (R)		11,067	78.7%
Yvonne Marie Cunningham (L)		2,981	21.2%

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Robert Olson did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Robert Olson campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2020	Kansas State Senate District 23	Won general	$196,830	N/A**
2016	Kansas State Senate, District 23	Won	$207,990	N/A**
2012	Kansas State Senate, District 23	Won	$139,271	N/A**
2010	Kansas State House, District 26	Won	$35,101	N/A**
2008	Kansas State House, District 26	Won	$52,220	N/A**
2006	Kansas State House, District 26	Won	$45,362	N/A**
2004	Kansas State House, District 26	Won	$10,487	N/A**
2002	Kansas State House, District 26	Lost	$3,615	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only availabale data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Kansas

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Kansas scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 9 to April 28. Kansas Family Voice Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization. Kansas Policy Institute Legislators are scored on their support for bills that the organization lists as promoting "individual liberty, limited government, free markets and student-focused education." Wichita Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 10 to May 23. Kansas Family Voice Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization. Kansas Policy Institute Legislators are scored on their support for bills that the organization lists as promoting "individual liberty, limited government, free markets and student-focused education." MainStream Coalition Legislators are scored by the MainStream Coalition on whether they voted with the moderate position on selected bills. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Wichita Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 11 to May 26. Americans for Prosperity-Kansas Legislators are scored on their stances on conservative fiscal policy. Kansas Policy Institute Legislators are scored on their support for bills that the organization lists as promoting "individual liberty, limited government, free markets and student-focused education." MainStream Coalition Legislators are scored by the MainStream Coalition on whether they voted with the moderate position on selected bills. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Wichita Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 13 to May 21. A special session convened from June 3 to June 4. Kansas AFL-CIO: House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues. Kansas Policy Institute Legislators are scored on their support for bills that the organization lists as promoting "individual liberty, limited government, free markets and student-focused education." MainStream Coalition Legislators are scored by the MainStream Coalition on whether they voted with the moderate position on selected bills. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Wichita Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 14 through May 29. Kansas AFL-CIO: House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues. Kansas Policy Institute Legislators are scored on their support for bills that the organization lists as promoting "individual liberty, limited government, free markets and student-focused education." MainStream Coalition Legislators are scored by the MainStream Coalition on whether they voted with the moderate position on selected bills. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 8 through April 7. Kansas AFL-CIO: House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues. Kansas Policy Institute Legislators are scored on their support for bills that the organization lists as promoting "individual liberty, limited government, free markets and student-focused education." MainStream Coalition Legislators are scored by the MainStream Coalition on whether they voted with the moderate position on selected bills. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Wichita Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 9 through June 26. Kansas AFL-CIO: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues. Kansas Policy Institute Legislators are scored on their support for bills that the organization lists as promoting "individual liberty, limited government, free markets and student-focused education." MainStream Coalition Legislators are scored by the MainStream Coalition on whether they voted with the moderate position on selected bills. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Wichita Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 11 through June 1. A special session was held from June 23 to June 24 over education funding. AFT- Kansas Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organization highlights. Kansas AFL-CIO: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues. Kansas Policy Institute Legislators are scored on their support for bills that the organization lists as promoting "individual liberty, limited government, free markets and student-focused education." Mainstream Coalition Legislators are scored by the MainStream Coalition on whether they voted with the moderate position on selected bills. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Sierra Club Kansas Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Wichita Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 12 through June 12. Kansas Policy Institute Legislators are scored on their support for bills that the organization lists as promoting "individual liberty, limited government, free markets and student-focused education." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Wichita Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 13 through May 30. Kansas Policy Institute Legislators are scored on economic and educational issues. MainStream Coalition Legislators in Johnson, Wyandotte, and Douglas counties are scored on whether they voted with the moderate position on selected bills. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Wichita Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].
In 2013, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 14 to June 20. Kansas Policy Institute Legislators are scored on economic and educational issues. Wichita Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

Endorsements

Presidential preference

2012

See also: Endorsements by state officials of presidential candidates in the 2012 election

Robert Olson (Kansas) endorsed Newt Gingrich in the 2012 presidential election.

See also

2020 Elections

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Candidate

Kansas State Senate District 23

Website

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Officeholder

Kansas State Senate District 23

Website

Personal

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Kansas State Senate District 23 2011-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Kansas House of Representatives 2005-2011	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the Kansas State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Ty Masterson

Majority Leader:Larry Alley

Minority Leader:Dinah Sykes

Senators

District 1

Dennis Pyle (R)

District 2

Marci Francisco (D)

District 3

Tom Holland (D)

District 4

David Haley (D)

District 5

Jeff Pittman (D)

District 6

Pat Pettey (D)

District 7

Ethan Corson (D)

District 8

Cindy Holscher (D)

District 9

Beverly Gossage (R)

District 10

Mike Thompson (R)

District 11

Kellie Warren (R)

District 12

Caryn Tyson (R)

District 13

Tim Shallenburger (R)

District 14

Michael Fagg (R)

District 15

Virgil Peck (R)

District 16

Ty Masterson (R)

District 17

Jeff Longbine (R)

District 18

Kristen O'Shea (R)

District 19

Rick Kloos (R)

District 20

Brenda Dietrich (R)

District 21

Dinah Sykes (D)

District 22

Usha Reddi (D)

District 23

Robert Olson (R)

District 24

J.R. Claeys (R)

District 25

Mary Ware (D)

District 26

Dan Kerschen (R)

District 27

Chase Blasi (R)

District 28

Mike Petersen (R)

District 29

Oletha Faust-Goudeau (D)

District 30

Renee Erickson (R)

District 31

Carolyn McGinn (R)

District 32

Larry Alley (R)

District 33

Alicia Straub (R)

District 34

Mark Steffen (R)

District 35

Rick Wilborn (R)

District 36

Elaine Bowers (R)

District 37

Molly Baumgardner (R)

District 38

Ronald Ryckman (R)

District 39

John Doll (R)

District 40

Rick Billinger (R)

Republican Party (29)

Democratic Party (11)