A 28-year-old Army Reserve sergeant and Wichita native is seeking the Democratic nomination for Kansas’s 4th Congressional District, running on a progressive platform that includes abolishing ICE, universal health care, and raising the federal minimum wage — in a seat that has long been held by Republicans.
Why It Matters
Kansas’s 4th District, centered on Wichita, is reliably Republican territory, making Cole Epley’s candidacy an uphill bid. His campaign tests whether an openly progressive message — including positions well to the left of mainstream Democratic politics — can attract voters in a competitive primary and, if successful, convert that into general election support in a red-leaning district.
What Happened
Epley, who was born in Wichita and raised in Rose Hill, is a University of Kansas graduate with a degree in music education. He enlisted in the Army Reserve, where he serves as a sergeant, and is a multi-instrumentalist who plays French horn, trumpet, and jazz guitar.
Before entering the race, Epley worked as a transition case manager for EmberHope, a state foster care contractor, and previously worked at a licensed group home for middle school-age boys. He has been unemployed since January.
Epley described himself as a “proud progressive” and acknowledged past involvement with the Democratic Socialists of America during his time in Lawrence, as well as participation in Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
His platform calls for raising the minimum wage, establishing universal health care, decriminalizing marijuana, and eliminating U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Epley has argued that ICE costs federal taxpayers roughly $40 billion annually and that its functions should be restructured. The abolish-ICE position, while present on the left wing of Democratic politics, remains well outside the mainstream — and is particularly unlikely to generate broad appeal in Kansas, where immigration enforcement is generally viewed favorably.
By the Numbers
- 28 — Epley’s age, placing him squarely in the Gen Z cohort entering electoral politics
- 4 — number of Democrats seeking the party’s nomination in the August primary
- $5,000 — federal donor threshold Epley had not met as of the most recent FEC filing deadline; he has not yet filed a formal campaign finance report
- $40 billion — annual federal spending on ICE, as cited by Epley in his case for abolishing the agency
- August 4 — date of the primary election
Zoom Out
Epley’s campaign reflects a broader generational shift within the Democratic Party, as younger candidates push progressive platforms even in territory where they face structural disadvantages. Across the country, outside money from super PACs and ideological donors has increasingly shaped down-ballot primary races, though Epley’s fundraising has yet to reach the threshold required for federal reporting.
The 4th District seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Ron Estes, who has won the seat comfortably in recent election cycles. Democrats have struggled to compete in Wichita-area federal races, making the primary contest more consequential for the direction of the local party than for the general election outlook.
The immigration plank of Epley’s platform — specifically abolishing ICE — runs counter to the Trump administration’s ongoing enforcement priorities, which have included expanded deportation operations and more frequent check-ins for individuals under supervision. The political environment heading into the 2026 midterms has generally pushed immigration debates toward enforcement rather than agency restructuring.
What’s Next
Epley faces three other Democratic primary candidates: Chris Carmichael, Ryan Gilbert, and Katy Tyndell. The primary is scheduled for August 4. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will face Estes, or another Republican nominee, in the November general election.
Epley’s path to the ballot and beyond will depend significantly on whether his campaign can build a fundraising base. Having not met the $5,000 FEC reporting threshold, his financial standing remains unclear heading into the final stretch before the primary.