Kansas Congressional Candidates with Military Experience Criticize Trump's Handling of Iran War

Candidates say the president failed to provide a clear objective and warn of the economic impact of the conflict.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic painting of a military vehicle parked on a quiet city street, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the pavement and buildings. The scene conveys a sense of solitude and contemplation, hinting at the human toll and strategic challenges of the conflict.The somber mood of an empty urban landscape reflects the uncertainty and unease surrounding the ongoing war with Iran.Topeka Today

Several Kansas congressional candidates with military experience have criticized President Donald Trump's handling of the ongoing war with Iran, which began in February 2026. The candidates, including Democrats Chris Carmichael, Don Coover, Noah Taylor, and Patrick Schmidt, as well as Republican Chase LaPorte, say Trump failed to provide a clear objective for the war and warn of the economic consequences, including rising gas and fertilizer prices. The candidates, who have served in the military, argue the president should have pursued diplomatic solutions and economic sanctions rather than launching an attack that has allowed Iran to control the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Why it matters

The war with Iran has become a major campaign issue in Kansas, with candidates from both parties who have military experience criticizing Trump's approach. Their perspectives provide insight into the challenges of the conflict and the potential political fallout for the president and his party.

The details

Chris Carmichael, a retired Air Force colonel running as a Democrat in the 4th District, said he worked on the Iran war plan at U.S. Central Command and concluded 'you really shouldn't start a war with Iran.' Carmichael warned that by launching an attack, the U.S. would 'turn the Strait of Hormuz from a free and open waterway to a tollgate controlled by Iran.' Chase LaPorte, a Republican running in the 3rd District, served in the Army and said the White House has handled the war 'hastily' without enough buy-in from allies. Don Coover, a Democrat running in the 2nd District who served as an Army intelligence officer, said members of Congress enabled Trump by failing to provide checks and balances. Noah Taylor, a Wichita Democrat running for Senate, and Patrick Schmidt, a Topeka Democrat also running for Senate who is a former Navy intelligence officer, both criticized the president for treating the war 'like it's a game' and failing to make a 'cogent case' for how it serves U.S. interests.

  • The war with Iran began on February 28, 2026.
  • The U.S. and Iran reached a tenuous ceasefire agreement, but Iran has maintained control of the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Under federal law, the president would need Congressional approval to continue the war beyond April 28, 2026.

The players

Chris Carmichael

A retired Air Force colonel and Democratic candidate for the 4th Congressional District, who previously worked on the Iran war plan at U.S. Central Command.

Chase LaPorte

A Republican candidate for the 3rd Congressional District, who served in the U.S. Army from 2005 to 2013.

Don Coover

A Democratic candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, who served in the U.S. Army for more than 10 years as an intelligence officer.

Noah Taylor

A Wichita Democrat running for the U.S. Senate, who enlisted in the Army a year after graduating high school and was deployed to Afghanistan.

Patrick Schmidt

A Topeka Democrat running for the U.S. Senate, who is a former Navy intelligence officer.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You really shouldn't start a war with Iran.”

— Chris Carmichael, Retired Air Force Colonel

“In a word: hastily. The military has done their job, but the White House needs to retool and reconfigure how they handle Iran.”

— Chase LaPorte, Republican Candidate, 3rd Congressional District

“With no consistent rationale for why this war should have started in the first place, our military has been put in harm's way. As someone who served in the Army, I know our military deserves much better than this.”

— Don Coover, Democratic Candidate, 2nd Congressional District

“People at the top are treating war like it's a game, while our sons and daughters are being used as bargaining chips.”

— Noah Taylor, Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate

“We are spending over a billion dollars a day, putting our troops in harm's way, and causing real economic pain. From rising gas prices to skyrocketing fertilizer prices, Kansans are bearing the brunt of the cost of this war.”

— Patrick Schmidt, Democratic Candidate, U.S. Senate

What’s next

Under federal law, the president would need Congressional approval to continue the war with Iran beyond April 28, 2026.

The takeaway

The perspectives of Kansas congressional candidates with military experience highlight the challenges of the ongoing war with Iran, including the lack of a clear objective, the economic consequences, and the need for greater Congressional oversight. Their critiques of Trump's handling of the conflict could resonate with voters in the state.