Red state Senate president joins field of Republicans hoping to wrest governorship from Democratic control
Masterson describes himself as "a results-oriented conservative laborer and businessman."
While Kansas has gone red in every presidential election for more than 50 years, the state currently has a Democratic governor.
Gov. Laura Kelly has held the post since early 2019, but is not eligible to run again in 2026 because she's currently serving her second consecutive term.
"No person may be elected to more than two successive terms as governor …" the state constitution stipulates.
Masterson's move to jump into the running adds another candidate to the Kansas GOP gubernatorial field that also includes former Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer, Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt.
Colyer, a former Kansas lieutenant governor, ascended to the governorship in 2018 because then-Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, departed the role to serve as U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom.
While serving in the governorship in 2018, Colyer ran for governor, but was just barely edged out in the GOP primary by then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who went on to lose the general election later that year to Kelly.
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Newsweek
3 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Exclusive: Trump Cuts to Hit Rural America Like 'a Tsunami,' Democrat Warns
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Representative April McClain Delaney warned that President Donald Trump's cuts to programs like Medicaid, as well as NPR and PBS, are going to hit rural America like a "tsunami" in an interview with Newsweek. Delaney's Maryland congressional district contains some of the areas that could be hit hardest by Trump's policies. It spans from the state's rural western panhandle, which she says could bear the brunt of new rescission cuts, to the Washington, D.C., suburbs, home to federal workers who have lost their jobs amid the mass firings of federal workers. She first won election to the Sixth District last November, defeating Republican Neil Parrott by about 6 percentage points in a light-blue district that has been competitive in recent elections. Delaney spoke with Newsweek about how she believes cuts in the Republican rescission package and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would affect constituents in rural areas in the district and across the country. "When you look at all of these funding freezes on our government employees on our national parks, but also Medicaid, SNAP, and then start looking at some of the other rescissions that it's just a tsunami that's about to hit rural America," Delaney said. Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Associated Press/Canva How PBS, NPR Cuts Will Affect Rural America Funding cuts for public media, such as PBS and NPR, which were included in a rescissions package passed by Congress earlier in July, could have devastating impacts on rural Americans, Delaney said. Republicans argued that funding for these programs was a waste of taxpayer dollars and have accused the networks of pushing left-leaning programming. Critics, however, say public funding was a lifeline to communities that relied on their local NPR affiliates for news or PBS for free children's programming. "When you look at the community that really relies on trusted news, one of the last trusted bastions of news is local news," Delaney said. These cuts may have an impact on Amber Alerts and Emergency Broadcast System alerts, she said. Recent flooding in Western Maryland's Allegany County—a rural, conservative county inside Delaney's district—underscores the importance of having robust local radio news, she said. "We had floods in Allegany County, and luckily, because of the emergency alerts, they kept the kids in the school. They didn't release them early. And as the rising waters went, I think, nine feet in 45 minutes, the kids went from the first floor, the second floor to the third floor, luckily were rescued and no one was hurt," she said. "When you think about how alerts are really facilitated by our broadcast stations, particularly these rural communities, it's a pretty big deal." Delaney, who spent much of her career advocating for children in media at nonprofits like Common Sense Media, said cuts to PBS will have consequences for children across the country. "I really look at how this funding will impact rural America in terms of broadcast stations and in particular educational programming for our kids. PBS is really the only free programming, educational programming that these kids receive," she said. "While you might hear some of my GOP colleagues [say] you can stream Sesame Street. Well, I hate to say this, our most disadvantaged kids in rural America, they can't afford to have a streaming Netflix account, much less have rural broadband." Delaney predicted there would be a "significant outcry" from rural Americans if their local stations go under as a result of the cuts and that Democrats would eye the restoration of this funding if they retake control of Congress in the midterms. The loss of these local stations would be a "loss of our community heart," she said, noting that they have historically had community obligations and public interest standards. "I still think there's that residue reporting on the games from the football game at the high school or talking about the local fairs or the rodeo that's going to be in town or what have you," she said. "There is something that's a big community builder. In these smaller stations in rural and even bigger suburban America." Cuts to Medicaid are another challenge facing rural America, she said, noting that one in seven families in her district relies on the program for health care. "What are you going to do in the long term in terms of rural health care and rural hospitals potentially closing? she said. "But also, you know, are all these premiums going to go up? Right, and what's the impact?" How Trump's Agenda Is Affecting Federal Workers Maryland's Sixth District also encompasses parts of the D.C. suburbs and is home to more than 35,000 government workers who may be affected by cuts to the federal bureaucracy as part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). So far, at least 260,000 federal workers have left their jobs since Trump returned to office in January, whether they were fired, retired early, or took a buyout, according to Reuters. Delaney said many of them are still looking for jobs and have reached out to her office. Health care is a key concern for these federal workers, she said. "Many of them are concerned about the long-term, how they're going to have health care, in addition to being able to find new jobs," she said. There are concerns that these "well-educated and well-adjusted" workers may be taken to the private sector or even leave the country as they seek new employment, she said. "There are other big concerns about workforce development and how are we going to look at maybe figuring out ways that they can retool some of their skills. I do think that many of our state governments might be able to fill in the gap for some of these workers. But, their concerns are, of course affordability, figuring out their next step and interestingly enough, I've started hear more about AI," she said. Delaney Slams 'Foolish' Foreign Aid Cuts Foreign aid cuts have been "one of the most foolish acts" of the Trump administration, Delaney said. "Our world is on fire right now and we have traditionally always been the one that has stepped in to help, whether it's vaccinations, whether it is feeding women and children, whether it was displacement during times of war. But there is something in soft diplomacy," she said. "What that means is that you are a trusted beacon of light. You are a source that people can depend upon around the world. And you do have more stability and peace when you have that." She warned that there is a "lack of trust" in the United States on the global stage right now, and that other countries, such as China, are "zooming in to fill that void." She described this foreign aid as the "cheapest part of our defense budget." "It is probably some of the most foolish cuts I've ever seen in my life, and it's going to impact us globally, but that's going to come to haunt us domestically as well," she said. Delaney on Trust in Government Delaney also said her work in Congress is focused on restoring trust in the government amid a period of heightened "anger." "It's really impacting the trust that people have in if our country can function and if our county can feel like the people who are elected officials are trustworthy," she said. Elected officials need to take the time to "understand why there's anger" and why people feel like they have not been heard or met in the moment. "My biggest concern and my biggest priority in Congress is to find ways to reestablish that trust, that trust with the American people, that trust on a community level," she said. "And I don't think it is a top-down—I think it's going to be a bottom-up within our communities building back, you know, across our communities and understanding in our elected officials." She said she plans to ask her constituents for their views on the issues so that her vote can reflect their thoughts. "Our world is crazy, but the last thing I'm going to say is I believe that we're going be OK. It's going to be choppy, it's going to be hard, but that we are going to swim through this, but it's a difficult ride at the moment," she said.
Fast Company
4 minutes ago
- Fast Company
5 job search habits young job seekers should ditch immediately
After nearly four decades on Wall Street and over 15 years mentoring students and young adults, I've witnessed countless young professionals struggle with their job searches —not because they lack talent, but because they're trapped in counterproductive habits that sabotage their success before they even begin. The job market has never been more competitive. With AI tools and vast information resources now available to every applicant, the baseline for what constitutes a 'good' application has skyrocketed. Today's job seekers have access to sophisticated résumé optimization tools, interview prep platforms, and industry insights that previous generations could never have imagined. And that means that simply having a polished resume or knowing basic company facts no longer differentiates you from the competition. A saturated job market The COVID-19 pandemic intensified this competition exponentially. Economic disruptions created a massive pool of highly competent applicants—seasoned professionals who were laid off, recent graduates whose traditional entry points disappeared, and career changers seeking more stable industries—all competing for fewer available positions. What we're witnessing is an unprecedented bottleneck, where exceptional candidates are struggling to get through recruiting filters just because the volume of qualified applicants has overwhelmed traditional hiring processes. This saturation means that even talented individuals with strong credentials are facing rejection after rejection, not due to inadequacy, but due to sheer numbers. Employers who once received dozens of applications for a position now receive hundreds, forcing them to rely on increasingly narrow filtering criteria that can eliminate excellent candidates for arbitrary reasons. In this new landscape, it's the candidates who go above and beyond—who demonstrate genuine initiative, build real relationships, and create tangible value—who separate themselves from the pack. The tools are available to everyone, but it's how strategically and creatively you use them that determines your success. The reality is that most new job seekers are their own worst enemies, repeating the same ineffective strategies that virtually guarantee disappointment. If you're serious about launching your career, it's time to break these five destructive habits immediately. Stop the Spray-and-Pray Approach I see this mistake constantly: talented graduates treating job applications like a numbers game, firing off identical résumés to every posting they find. During my years at one of the largest banks in the United States, I reviewed countless résumés. The generic submissions were easy to spot and equally easy to dismiss. Employers aren't looking for someone who can fill any role—they want someone who genuinely understands (and is passionate about) their specific position. Every application should tell a story about why you and this particular company are a perfect match. Research the organization, understand their challenges, and demonstrate how your skills address their specific needs. Yes, this takes more time—but would you rather send 50 thoughtless applications that get ignored, or 10 targeted ones that actually generate interviews? Embrace LinkedIn as Your Career Command Center I'm amazed by how many job seekers still treat LinkedIn as an afterthought. In today's digital world, your LinkedIn profile is often your first chance to make an impression. Worse yet, many young professionals create a profile and then abandon it, missing countless opportunities for meaningful connections. Your LinkedIn presence should be as polished and strategic as your résumé. More importantly, it should be active. Share insights about your industry, comment thoughtfully on posts from professionals you admire, and regularly update your network on your career journey. We encourage young adults to view LinkedIn as a relationship-building platform, not just a digital résumé. The connections you make today become the foundation for opportunities in the future. Many of our most successful clients have landed positions through LinkedIn relationships they cultivated months before they even began their formal job search. Abandon the Perfect Role Fantasy One of the most career-limiting beliefs I encounter is the idea that you should wait for the perfect opportunity. Young professionals often turn down roles that don't match their exact vision, convinced that holding out will yield something better. This perfectionist mindset ignores a fundamental truth: careers are built through progression. Some of the most successful individuals I've mentored started in positions that seemed unrelated to their ultimate goals but provided invaluable experience and connections. Early in your career, prioritize learning and growth over title and salary. A role with exceptional mentorship, challenging projects, or exposure to senior leadership can be far more valuable than a prestigious position where you'll be isolated or underutilized. The goal is forward momentum, not immediate arrival at your destination. I often tell my mentees that your first job is rarely your last job, but it's always your launching pad. Choose roles that accelerate your trajectory, even if they don't perfectly align with your original vision. Master the Art of Strategic Follow-Up The job search doesn't end when you walk out of the interview room: that's when the real work begins. Yet countless candidates don't take full advantage of promising opportunities by failing to follow up appropriately. A thoughtful follow-up message accomplishes several critical objectives: it demonstrates your genuine interest, reinforces key points from your conversation, and keeps you visible during the decision-making process. More importantly, it shows that you understand professional norms and can manage relationships effectively. Your follow-up should be personalized, referencing specific moments from your conversation and reiterating how you can contribute to their team's success. This isn't about being pushy—it's about being professional and maintaining momentum. I've seen talented candidates lose opportunities to less-qualified competitors simply because they assumed their interview performance would speak for itself. In a competitive market, every advantage matters, and strategic follow-up can be the difference between getting the offer or being forgotten Stop Waiting Until Your Senior Year to Think About Career Strategy One of the most limiting mistakes I see is students who coast through their first few years of college without any career planning, suddenly panicking during junior or senior year when they realize competitive roles require years of preparation. Today's job market rewards those who think strategically early. The most coveted positions, whether in finance, consulting, technology, or other competitive fields, increasingly expect candidates to have meaningful internship experience, relevant projects, and established industry connections. Students who wait until their final years find themselves competing against peers who've been building their credentials since freshman year. But let me be clear: starting later doesn't doom your prospects. I've mentored countless students who discovered their career direction during their junior or senior years and still achieved remarkable success. The key is understanding that you'll need to accelerate your efforts and be more strategic about your approach. The real mistake isn't starting late; it's continuing to delay action once you recognize the importance of career planning. Whether you're a freshman or a senior, the best time to start building your professional foundation is right now. The Path Forward Throughout my career mentoring young professionals, I've watched talented individuals gain access to opportunities they never thought possible by simply approaching their job search with the same intelligence and intention they bring to other aspects of their lives. Remember, your job search can be a demonstration of your professional capabilities. Employers are evaluating not just what you've accomplished, but how you approach challenges, manage relationships, and execute strategies. The job market may be competitive, but it's not impenetrable. With the right approach, persistence, and strategic thinking, you can transform your job search from a source of frustration into a launching pad for the career you truly want.
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Newest Stock in the S&P 500 Has Soared 510% Since Its 2015 IPO, and It's a Buy Right Now, According to Wall Street
Key Points Block has been added to the S&P 500, one of just six companies to make the cut so far in 2025. The company is a fintech pioneer and continues to expand its market. Despite some hiccups earlier this year, Wall Street remains convinced the stock is a buy. 10 stocks we like better than Block › The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is generally recognized as the most comprehensive measure of the U.S. stock market, made up of the 500 leading publicly traded companies in the country. Given the broad reach of the businesses that make up the index, it is regarded as the most reliable benchmark of overall stock market performance. To be considered for admission to the S&P 500, a company must meet the following criteria: Be a U.S. company Its market cap must be at least $20.5 billion Shares must be highly liquid Have at least 50% of its outstanding shares available for trading Must be profitable based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the most recent quarter Must be profitable during the previous four quarters in aggregate Block (NYSE: XYZ) is the latest addition to the S&P 500, added to its ranks on July 23. That makes it one of only six companies to make the grade so far this year. Since its IPO in late 2015, Block has easily outpaced the market, generating gains of 510%, compared to a 206% increase for the S&P 500 (as of market close on Wednesday). The stock price gains have been fueled by an ever-expanding fintech ecosystem, as its revenue has soared 1,640%, while net income has jumped 867%. Yet, despite the stock's market-beating gains and the company's strong track record navigating the fluid fintech space it helped pioneer, many believe Block is just getting started. Let's examine the opportunity ahead and why Wall Street believes the stock is a buy. A Square peg in a round hole Block, formerly Square, made a name for itself by pioneering mobile payment processing solutions and point-of-sale systems for small businesses. From those humble beginnings, the company now offers a growing suite of tools for entrepreneurs and consumers alike, including payment processing, point-of-sale systems, business loans, digital retail, loyalty programs, marketing, digital wallet, and -- mostly recently -- consumer loans. At the heart of Block's expanding ecosystem is its two-pronged approach: Square Business, which provides services to merchants, and Cash App, which caters to consumers. The seamless integration between the two segments helps spin the flywheel that has been key to Block's success. It was also among the first major public companies to add Bitcoin to its balance sheet, making its initial purchase in October 2020. Block has thus far spent roughly $261 million and currently holds 8,584 Bitcoin, worth roughly $1.03 billion. The company also announced plans to begin accepting Bitcoin as a payment method later this year. Despite a highly competitive landscape, Block continues to expand its role as one of the leading fintech providers. Paint by numbers You don't have to take my word for it. Despite a backdrop of economic uncertainty caused by persistent inflation and tariffs, Block's recent results tell the story. In the first quarter (excluding Bitcoin), revenue of $3.47 billion grew 8% year over year, while gross profit of $2.29 billion climbed 9%. Operating income of $329 million rose 32%, resulting in adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.56, an increase of 19%. Unfortunately, investors were looking for better gross profit, which sent the stock lower -- but the results were solid nonetheless. Block's performance was fueled by gross payment volume (GPV) that grew 7.2% (8.2% in constant currency). Cash App did its part, increasing user engagement, as gross profit per monthly active user grew 9%. Wall Street is bullish Block lowered its guidance earlier this year in response to the continuing uncertainty, but Wall Street remains bullish. Of the 47 analysts who covered the stock thus far in July, 35 -- or an impressive 75% -- rate it a buy or strong buy. TD Cowen analyst Bryan Bergin is a longtime Block bull, maintaining a buy rating and a $115 price target on the stock, which represents potential upside of 44% compared to the stock's closing price on Wednesday. While he acknowledged the macroeconomic headwinds and a slow start in 2025, he believes that the company is on track for continued improvement in the back half of the year. Bergin also points to improvements toward achieving the Rule of 40. The oft-cited metric evaluates growth in relation to profits, and Block is looking to make the grade by the end of 2025 or early 2026. Despite all that potential, Block is remarkably cheap. The stock is currently selling for just 19 times trailing-12-month earnings and 2 times sales. Block's inclusion in the S&P 500 is an important milestone. It's not only a testament to the company's position in an evolving industry, but also the growing adoption of Bitcoin into the mainstream. Given its long track record, strong secular tailwinds, and Wall Street's bullish take, I would submit that Block is a buy. Should you invest $1,000 in Block right now? Before you buy stock in Block, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Block wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $636,774!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,064,942!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,040% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 182% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Danny Vena has positions in Bitcoin and Block. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin and Block. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The Newest Stock in the S&P 500 Has Soared 510% Since Its 2015 IPO, and It's a Buy Right Now, According to Wall Street was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
