Thomas Palenske

Thomas Palenske is the Republican candidate for the Kansas House of Representatives, District 121, in the November 3, 2026 general election, where he faces Democrat Kelsey Stock.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he described himself as a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general, special operations helicopter pilot and Kansas small-business owner.[2]

Thomas Palenske served in the U.S. Air Force from 1986 to 2025, according to Ballotpedia.[1] He earned a high school diploma from Topeka West High School, a bachelor's degree from Friends University in 1995, and graduate degrees from Troy State University in 1998 and George Washington University in 2002.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he said he was raised in Topeka, began his military career in the Kansas Army National Guard as a helicopter mechanic and door gunner, and served on more than 25 combat deployments, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.[2]

Palenske defeated incumbent Mike Storm in the Republican primary for District 121 on August 4, 2026, with 52.1 percent of the vote.[1] In the survey, he said he lives in Olathe with his wife, Jeryn, and described himself as a traditional conservative Republican.[2] He listed property tax relief, adequate and equitable school funding including special education, and a focus on veterans' services and public safety among his priorities.[2]

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