Nigerian-American politician KC Ohaebosim wins election as Kansas lieutenant governor, making history alongside Governor-elect Cindy Holscher

Nigerian-American politician KC Ohaebosim has been elected Lieutenant Governor of Kansas in the United States, making history as the first Nigerian-American to hold the position, according to the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Also read:IGP Disu Gives Police Commissioners 72-Hour Deadline

Dabiri-Erewa announced Ohaebosim’s victory in a post on X on Friday, November 13, congratulating him on his emergence in the November 3 midterm elections.

“Nigerian American KC Ohaebosim WON in Kansas! The race has been called. ‘Wichita Democrat KC Ohaebosim was elected Lieutenant Governor.’

“He’s now the 1st Nigerian-American to become Lieutenant Governor in the US. Hearty Congrats,” she wrote.

Ohaebosim, a Democrat from Wichita, will serve alongside Governor-elect Cindy Holscher, who defeated Republican Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson in a closely contested race.

The result was delayed by more than a week after election officials ordered an audit because of the narrow margin between the candidates. Holscher eventually secured victory by approximately 0.6 percentage points, representing fewer than 8,000 votes.

Ohaebosim’s election also represents a significant moment in Kansas political history.

He is set to become the first Black man elected to a statewide executive office in the state since Edward McCabe won the state auditor’s position in the 1880s.

Before joining Holscher’s gubernatorial ticket, Ohaebosim represented Kansas’ 89th District in the state House of Representatives, a position he had held since 2017.

He did not seek re-election to the state legislature in 2026 after becoming Holscher’s running mate.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, Ohaebosim is the son of Nigeria-born physician, Dr Linus Ohaebosim.

He spent part of his childhood in Nigeria, where he also received some of his early education, before returning to the United States.

He attended Wichita Heights High School and later obtained a bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University and a Master of Business Administration from Newman University, both in Wichita.

Before entering politics, Ohaebosim worked in technology-related roles, including as a data analyst.

During his time in the Kansas legislature, he served on several committees, including Transportation, General Government Budget, and Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, where he was the ranking minority member.

His victory forms part of a wider Democratic breakthrough in Kansas during the November 3 elections.

The party also won the state’s attorney general race and a US Senate seat, while breaking the Republican supermajority in the state House of Representatives.

Holscher and Ohaebosim are expected to assume office in January 2027.

Also read:IGP Disu Gives Police Commissioners 72-Hour Deadline

The election has attracted attention among Nigerians at home and abroad, particularly because of Ohaebosim’s Nigerian family background and the representation milestone associated with his emergence.