The kinetic behavior of Cationic Red (GTL) in contact glow discharge electrolysis (CGDE) was investigated under different mediums, voltage, temperature and pH. In CGDE, it was demonstrated that the oxidation would obey first-order law. The apparent rate constants under different conditions were obtained by the kinetic equation. The results showed that the apparent rate constant was influenced by many factors. Among them, the voltage was the determining factor in CGDE. pH had no appreciable effects on the degradation of Cationic Red. The apparent rate constant decreased with the increase of the temperature and the initial concentration of Cationic Red in aqueous solutions. This was different from conventional chemical reactions. At the same time, when Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Fe²⁺ were added into the solution, the apparent rate constant increased. Among these metals, Fe²⁺ had the remarkable catalytic effect on the reaction.