Dennis Pyle
2005 - Present
2025
19
Dennis Pyle (Republican Party) is a member of the Kansas State Senate, representing District 1. He assumed office in 2005. His current term ends on January 13, 2025.
Pyle (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Kansas State Senate to represent District 1. He lost in the Republican primary on August 6, 2024.
Biography
Pyle's professional experience includes working as a grain and cattle farmer.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Kansas State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Kansas State Senate District 1
Craig Bowser won election in the general election for Kansas State Senate District 1 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Craig Bowser (R)  | 100.0 | 29,530 |
| Total votes: 29,530 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Kansas State Senate District 1
Craig Bowser defeated John Eplee and incumbent Dennis Pyle in the Republican primary for Kansas State Senate District 1 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Craig Bowser | 40.6 | 5,069 |
 | John Eplee | 36.4 | 4,543 | |
 | Dennis Pyle | 22.9 | 2,860 | |
| Total votes: 12,472 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Pyle in this election.
2022
See also: Kansas gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Governor of Kansas
Incumbent Laura Kelly defeated Derek Schmidt, Dennis Pyle, and Seth Cordell in the general election for Governor of Kansas on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Laura Kelly (D) | 49.5 | 499,849 |
 | Derek Schmidt (R) | 47.3 | 477,591 | |
| Dennis Pyle (Independent) | 2.0 | 20,452 | |
 | Seth Cordell (L) | 1.1 | 11,106 | |
| Total votes: 1,008,998 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Kansas
Incumbent Laura Kelly defeated Richard Karnowski in the Democratic primary for Governor of Kansas on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Laura Kelly | 93.8 | 270,968 |
 | Richard Karnowski | 6.2 | 17,802 | |
| Total votes: 288,770 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Kansas
Derek Schmidt defeated Arlyn Briggs in the Republican primary for Governor of Kansas on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Derek Schmidt | 80.6 | 373,542 |
| Arlyn Briggs | 19.4 | 89,898 | |
| Total votes: 463,440 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Kent McElroy (R)
- Jeff Colyer (R)
- Richard Duncan (R)
- Chase LaPorte (R)
Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Governor of Kansas
Seth Cordell advanced from the Libertarian convention for Governor of Kansas on April 23, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Seth Cordell (L) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2020
See also: Kansas State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Kansas State Senate District 1
Incumbent Dennis Pyle defeated Kirk Miller in the general election for Kansas State Senate District 1 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dennis Pyle (R) | 71.7 | 25,173 |
| Kirk Miller (D) | 28.3 | 9,914 | |
| Total votes: 35,087 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Kansas State Senate District 1
Kirk Miller advanced from the Democratic primary for Kansas State Senate District 1 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kirk Miller | 100.0 | 2,887 |
| Total votes: 2,887 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Kansas State Senate District 1
Incumbent Dennis Pyle advanced from the Republican primary for Kansas State Senate District 1 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dennis Pyle | 100.0 | 11,638 |
| Total votes: 11,638 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2018
General election
Steve Watkins defeated Paul Davis and Kelly Standley in the general election for U.S. House Kansas District 2 on November 6, 2018.
General election
General election for U.S. House Kansas District 2
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Steve Watkins (R) | 47.6 | 126,098 |
 | Paul Davis (D) | 46.8 | 123,859 | |
 | Kelly Standley (L) | 5.6 | 14,731 | |
| Total votes: 264,688 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Paul Davis advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Kansas District 2 on August 7, 2018.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Kansas District 2
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Paul Davis | 100.0 | 38,846 |
| Total votes: 38,846 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Nathan Schmidt (D)
Republican primary election
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Kansas District 2 on August 7, 2018.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Kansas District 2
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Steve Watkins | 26.5 | 20,052 |
 | Caryn Tyson | 23.5 | 17,749 | |
 | Kevin Jones | 14.8 | 11,201 | |
 | Steve Fitzgerald | 12.2 | 9,227 | |
| Dennis Pyle | 12.1 | 9,126 | |
 | Doug Mays | 8.2 | 6,221 | |
 | Vernon Fields | 2.6 | 1,987 | |
| Total votes: 75,563 | |||
| = 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Matt Bevens (R)
- Tyler Tannahill (R)
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 Dennis Pyle defeated Jerry Henry in the Kansas State Senate District 1 general election.[2][3]
| Kansas State Senate, District 1 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Dennis Pyle Incumbent |
58.30% | 18,283 | |
| Democratic | Jerry Henry | 41.70% | 13,076 | |
| Total Votes | 31,359 | |||
| Source: Kansas Secretary of State | ||||
Jerry Henry ran unopposed in the Kansas State Senate District 1 Democratic primary.[4][5]
| Kansas State Senate, District 1 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Jerry Henry (unopposed) | |
Incumbent Dennis Pyle ran unopposed in the Kansas State Senate District 1 Republican primary.[4][5]
| Kansas State Senate, District 1 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Dennis Pyle Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2014
Pyle declined to run for U.S. Senate in 2014.[6]
2012
- See also: Kansas State Senate elections, 2012
Pyle won election in the 2012 election for Kansas State Senate District 1. Pyle defeated Marje A. Cochren in the August 7 Republican primary and defeated Steve Lukert (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[7][8]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Pyle Incumbent |
50.7% | 15,378 | |
| Democratic | Steve Lukert | 49.3% | 14,982 | |
| Total Votes | 30,360 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Dennis Pyle Incumbent |
66.4% | 6,730 |
| Marje A. Cochren | 33.6% | 3,407 |
| Total Votes | 10,137 | |
2008
- See also: Kansas State Senate elections, 2008
On November 4, 2008, Pyle was re-elected to the 1st District Seat in the Kansas State Senate, defeating Galen Weiland (D).[9] Pyle raised $105,794 for his campaign, while Weiland raised $19,210.[10]
| Kansas State Senate, District 1 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Dennis Pyle (R)
|
19,253 | 63.6% | ||
| Galen Weiland (D) | 11,017 | 36.4% | ||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Dennis Pyle did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Dennis Pyle did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Dennis Pyle did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Pyle's campaign website highlighted the following issues:
| “ |
Agriculture As a life-long, fourth generation Kansas farmer, Dennis' deep-rooted work ethic is apparent. Dennis is a self-employed farmer and homeowner. His record in the Kansas senate proves he is a strong voice for agriculture. As a landowner, property rights and other agriculture related issues are among his top priorities. Pyle emphasizes, "My deep-rooted work ethic continues to motivate my values based agenda that includes providing Kansas children with quality education and safe communities." Business, Jobs, Economic Development Senator Pyle knows that the state took a great step forward by beginning the process of eliminating the franchise tax under a prior administration. Pyle states, "Lessening the burden on small business is a promise I take great satisfaction in having kept. This is very important to the economy of Kansas. " Pyle believes the State of Kansas needs to reduce taxes and spending in order to create an environment that will bring more private sector businesses and jobs to Kansas. Education Senator Pyle realizes that quality education is important to Kansans. "Quality education is a priority. Every student deserves a worldclass education. We must balance the costs of education with the taxpayer's ability to pay. We cannot continue raising taxes to the point that we force business and jobs out of the state. It should be our goal to maintain and create private sector economic opportunities for those we educate. It is poor policy to raise taxes on people and businesses to the point where we leave fewer job opportunities for those we educate here in Kansas." Taxes "Spending continues to grow. The state budget is fat and obese. Estimates and projections continue to demand more spending growth. The State of Kansas must change its habits and begin budgeting based off of prior years' actual revenue. Government just continues to spend more and demand more. Tax dollars should be spent fairly and equitably with no fraud, waste or abuse. Kansas has to compete with surrounding states. Raising taxes to solve our problems is poor vision and a short-term solution at best and will cost us private sector jobs. We have to address spending and prioritize dollars with a clear objective." Pyle added, "I have yet to meet a tax increase that I like. It is the family that needs to be empowered not the state. My record on taxes is clear." Life, Marriage Dennis is pro-life. He is on record as voting 100% pro-life. He is the only candidate for the 1st Senate District endorsed by KFL in 2016. Dennis is a strong advocate for judicial reform.[11] |
” |
| —Dennis Pyle[12] | ||
Committee assignments
2021-2022
Pyle was assigned to the following committees:
- Information Technology Committee
- State-Tribal Relations Committee
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Senate Transportation Committee
- Utilities Committee
2019-2020
Pyle was assigned to the following committees:
- Special Claims Against the State Committee
- Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
- Senate Education Committee
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Kansas committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| • Education |
| • Financial Institutions and Insurance |
| • Special Claims Against the State |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Pyle served on the following committees:
| Kansas committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Local Government, Chair |
| • Natural Resources |
| • Education |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Pyle served on the following committees:
| Kansas committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Ethics, Elections and Local Government, Chair |
| • Natural Resources |
| • Education |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Pyle served on these committees:
| Kansas committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Agriculture |
| • Assessment and Taxation |
| • Children's Issues |
| • Special Claims Against the State |
| • State-Tribal Relations |
| • Utilities |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Pyle served on these committees:
| Kansas committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Agriculture |
| • Ethics and Elections |
| • Federal and State Affairs |
| • Special Claims Against the State |
| • State-Tribal Relations |
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.
Campaign finance summary
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.
Scorecards
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 editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 9 to April 28.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 10 to May 23.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 11 to May 26.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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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.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 14 through May 29.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 8 through April 7.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 9 through June 26.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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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.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 12 through June 12.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 13 through May 30.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 14 to June 20.
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Endorsements
2016
In 2016, Pyle's endorsements included the following:[13]
- Kansans for Life
- NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business - Kansas Chapter)
- Kansas Chamber
- Kansas REALTORS PAC
- KSRA PAC (Kansas State Rifle Association PAC)
- NRA PVF (National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund)
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Dennis and his wife, Jennifer, have six children.[1]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Kansas State Senate District 1 |
Officeholder Kansas State Senate District 1 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Project Vote Smart, "Dennis Pyle's Biography," accessed March 29, 2014
- ↑ Kansas Secretary of State, "Candidate list," accessed August 23, 2016
- ↑ Kansas Secretary of State, "2016 General Election official results," accessed December 19, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kansas Secretary of State, "Candidate list," accessed June 3, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Kansas Secretary of State, "2016 Official Kansas Primary Election Results," accessed September 12, 2016
- ↑ Star Telegram, "Kansas candidate filing deadline passes," accessed June 3, 2014
- ↑ Kansas Secretary of State, "2012 Primary Election - Official Vote Totals," accessed March 29, 2014
- ↑ Kansas Secretary of State, "2012 General Election - Official Vote Totals," accessed March 31, 2014
- ↑ Kansas Secretary of State, "2008 General Election - Official Vote Totals," accessed March 29, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Kansas 2008 - General Election Results," accessed March 29, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Pyle for Senate, "Issues," accessed September 29, 2016
- ↑ Pyle for Senate, "Endorsements," accessed September 29, 2016
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Kansas State Senate District 1 2005-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Kansas House of Representatives District 49 2001-2003 |
Succeeded by - |
