Richard Paz

Richard Paz is the Democratic candidate for Kansas House of Representatives District 38 in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against incumbent Timothy Johnson (R).[1][2] A retired U.S. Army colonel who served from 1987 to 2017, he also ran for the seat in 2024.[1][3]

Paz was born in Tacoma, Washington, and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in 1987, a graduate degree from Texas A&M University in 2001 and a graduate degree from the Fort Leavenworth School for Advanced Military Studies in 2004, according to Ballotpedia.[1] He served in the U.S. Army from 1987 to 2017, is retired, and has been affiliated with Rural Leavenworth, Inc.[1] In a 2024 Ballotpedia survey, he described a 30-year military medical career as a retired Army Medical Service Colonel, with roles including commander, operations officer, planner and educator, and said his work included Army-wide behavioral healthcare planning and teaching at Fort Leavenworth.[3]

Paz ran for Kansas House District 38 in 2024 and lost to incumbent Timothy Johnson (R), 66.4 percent to 33.6 percent; he advanced from the Democratic primary again on August 4, 2026.[1] In his 2024 survey, he listed property tax reduction and assessment reform, healthcare and childcare affordability, and revenue sharing among his priorities, and said Kansas must approve Medicaid expansion.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.