Steven Johnson, Republican (Incumbent)

Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised on a family farm near Assaria, Kansas, where I learned early the importance of hard work and being a good steward of the resources entrusted to you.

I earned my degree in agricultural economics from Kansas State University and later an MBA from the University of Chicago, with an emphasis in finance and business policy. Before entering public service, I spent much of my career in financial services and investment planning.

I was elected to the Kansas Legislature in 2010, where I served for 12 years, including as chairman of the House Taxation Committee and the Insurance and Pensions Committee.

Since being elected State Treasurer in 2022, I have worked to bring that financial experience to the management of Kansas taxpayer dollars. My focus has been straightforward. Protect public funds, improve investment returns, and make government work more efficiently.

I continue to be involved in our family farm, which keeps me grounded in the values and practical financial decisions that matter to Kansas families.

What do you believe are the three most important issues you would face if elected and what is your position on each?

1. Protecting Taxpayer Dollars

The Treasurer’s first responsibility is to safeguard the money entrusted to the state. That means managing risk, maintaining sufficient liquidity and earning the best reasonable return on our investments. During my first term, we have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in additional interest earnings for Kansas. I will continue putting sound financial management ahead of politics.

2. Helping Kansas Families Save

Families should have access to affordable, flexible savings options. We recently modernized Kansas’ 529 education savings program, now Quest529, significantly reducing fees and expanding investment options. I want to build on that progress while increasing awareness of our ABLE savings program, which helps individuals with disabilities save for their futures without jeopardizing essential benefits.

3. Making Government More Efficient

Taxpayers deserve a government that operates responsibly and makes the most of every dollar. We have improved the way public deposits are protected through the Kansas Collateral Pool and strengthened financial operations across the office. I believe government should continually look for ways to reduce unnecessary costs and improve service. Our office operates without an appropriation from the State General Fund, and I intend to keep it that way.

If elected, what are two things you would like to accomplish within the first year of your term?

First, I want to build on the improvements we have made to Kansas’ savings programs.

This year, we completed a major modernization of our 529 education savings plans, reducing costs for account owners while providing greater investment flexibility. In the first year of my next term, I want to build on those improvements by helping more Kansas families take advantage of Quest529 and our ABLE savings program.

We have some excellent financial tools available to Kansans. Our responsibility is to make sure families know about them and understand how they can benefit.

Second, I want to continue improving how we manage and protect public funds.

The implementation of the Kansas Collateral Pool represents an important improvement in how state and local government deposits are secured. I want to continue refining that system while identifying additional opportunities to improve efficiency and investment management.

Good financial management is not a one-time accomplishment. It requires constant attention to changing conditions and a willingness to improve how we do business.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

I believe the position of State Treasurer should be held by someone who understands financial markets, investment management and the responsibility that comes with managing taxpayer dollars.

My background is particularly well suited to that work. I spent much of my professional career in financial services before serving in the Legislature, where I focused extensively on tax policy, pensions and financial issues.

More importantly, I have a record of results as State Treasurer.

Since taking office, we have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in additional interest earnings for Kansas, modernized our education savings plans to save account owners millions of dollars annually, and implemented a new system to better protect public deposits.

I have also been honored to be selected by fellow state treasurers from across the country to serve in national leadership positions, including as Chair of The 529 Network and Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of State Treasurers.

Those responsibilities reflect the trust placed in our work here in Kansas.

The Treasurer’s Office is not a place for political headlines. It is a financial management position that requires experience, sound judgment and an understanding of risk. I have spent my career preparing for that responsibility, and my record demonstrates what that experience can deliver for Kansas.

Why should voters elect you?

When I first ran for State Treasurer, I made a commitment to put my financial experience to work for Kansas taxpayers. Over the past four years, we have done exactly that.

We have earned more on state investments, reduced costs for Kansas families saving for education and improved how taxpayer dollars are protected. We have accomplished this while operating the Treasurer’s Office without relying on State General Fund appropriations.

I believe public service should be measured by results, not headlines.

There will always be new challenges in managing public finances. Interest rates change, markets fluctuate and the needs of Kansas families evolve. My responsibility is to make sure we are prepared to respond while protecting the resources entrusted to us.

I am proud of what we have accomplished, but there is more work to do.

Making a plan is the first step, sticking to the plan is the next and more important one. I am asking Kansans for another four years to continue providing the experienced, responsible financial management they deserve.

Juan C. Luengo, Democrat

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Juan C. Luengo. I am a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelors of Arts in Communication and I hold certificates from Dartmouth College in Strategies and Business Development and University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business in Mergers and Acquisitions. I am also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business. Mr. Luengo is currently the CEO of Engage Insurance Group, which is a risk management and insurance firm.

What do you believe are the three most important issues you would face if elected and what is your position on each?

1. Growing the Quest529 program – kids are coming out of college with an excessive amount of debt and I am going to partner with as many school districts to bring financial education to parents and grandparents. The 529 needs to be the funding source rather than student loans that are keeping the younger generation from living the American Dream.

2. Main Street Capital – small businesses don’t have a seat at the table and access to capital is tough. We are going to move capital by providing capital to the banks that are enrolled in the linked-deposits program so that businesses can grow, scale and innovate

3. Establishing a non-partisan Economic Council – I will have the government, the private sector and the trades at the table helping the department draft economic policy so that we can get it passed through the legislature

If elected, what are two things you would like to accomplish within the first year of your term?

Our top priorities will be growing the Quest529, main street capital and the non-partisan economic council.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Juan wants this office to use the authority it already has. It is not underpowered. It is underused. The office is not meant for the Treasurer and the staff to sit behind a desk. Juan will be out in the community understanding what is going on.

This is what Juan is going to do for long term growth and sustainability: invest in systems that help the staff and the taxpayer, deploy capital to its limits, work with school districts to bring financial education and an alternative to student loans – Quest529. Juan will also build an economic council where the government, private sector and the trades are at the table helping us drive economic policy. Small businesses and farmers are being hurt which we depend on for our food supply chain. Kansas is primed to be a mecca for innovation and farming. It’s time we live up to our potential.

Why should voters elect you?

Because this office should work for every Kansan, not just sit safely in Topeka. I’m an operator, not a politician. I am the CEO of an insurance and risk-management firm that is licensed in a few states, and handling other people’s money with care is my day job. This job calls for someone who is building relationships in the communities not sitting behind a desk. Kansas has a $14 billion college and trade savings plan, a matching grant for working families, low-interest loan programs for farms and small businesses, and more than $600 million in unclaimed property, and too few Kansans are using them. Every dollar the Treasury touches should do two jobs: earn its return, and clear a path for a Kansas family, farm, or business. Juan wants this office to use the authority it already has. It is not underpowered. It is underused

Eric Lund, Libertarian

The Sabetha Herald contacted Eric Lund, but he did not respond in the time allowed or within the word limit guidelines.