While congressional and gubernatorial races often dominate the headlines, candidates for two lesser-known statewide offices emphasized their positions can have a significant daily impact on Kansans, from public education funding to student debt.

Democratic Kansas State Board of Education District 1 candidate Jennifer Lloyd and Democratic Kansas state treasurer candidate Juan Luengo spoke at the “informal town hall” Tuesday evening at the Manhattan Public Library. Indivisible MHK, a pro-democracy grassroots progressive organization founded in Manhattan, organized the event. It was the final event in their 2026 midterm town hall series, which included Jennifer Day, Lauren Reinhold and a panel of local candidates.

Organizers invited Lloyd’s opponent, Republican Amy Cawvey, and Luengo’s opponents, Libertarian Eric Lund and Republican Steven C. Johnson, but they declined to participate. 

Philip Nel, an Indivisible MHK board member and K-State university distinguished professor, said the forum’s purpose was to draw attention to races that often receive less attention than campaigns for governor, Congress or Senate. 

“State races really matter,” Nel said. “The big races get all the attention. They get all the press, they get all the coverage. And those are important. But the job of the state treasurer, being on the Board of Education, is equally as important.”

Jennifer Lloyd, a longtime teacher and elementary school librarian, said her decision to run for State Board of Education stemmed from concern over the recent view of teachers in public discourse.

“I felt like teachers kept being attacked,” Lloyd said. “I felt like somebody had to stand up and say, ‘This is not what’s happening.’ We have to start treating teachers like the professionals that they are.”

The number one issue facing public education is lack of support for special education programs, a concern Lloyd hears from citizens across the state. Currently, insufficient funding forces districts to divert vital resources from other areas, something Lloyd hopes to change.

Lloyd also said Kansas schools should do more to prepare students for life after graduation, whether they’re attending college, entering a trade school or going into the workforce.

“We don’t teach [children] how to interview; we don’t teach them how to balance a checkbook, how to write a resume,” Lloyd said. “Some of the things that we used to do, we stopped doing, and that’s a problem.”

For K-State and any other students considering careers in public education, Lloyd offered a simple message.

“We need educators,” she said. “We need good educators, people that are willing to work with kids. And we need to work with KNEA [the Kansas National Education Association] to help with salaries.”

Luengo, meanwhile, centered much of his message on financial literacy, workforce development and reducing the impact of student debt.

“I want to be able to leave a legacy where kids, younger generations, come out of college with as little debt as possible,” he said.

Juan Luengo is CEO of Engage Insurance Group, a risk-management firm in Overland Park, and the first Latino to run for a Kansas state office, an opportunity he said will hopefully open doors for other minorities.

Luengo said that although many Kansans may not be familiar with the full scope of the State Treasurer’s office, the position plays a critical role in managing state finances, supporting savings programs and helping communities with funding opportunities. One of his platforms is encouraging more financial education for younger children.

“I do feel that has to be integrated into the curriculum; middle school all the way through college,” he said. “A lot of those lessons are being learned in people’s 20s and 30s, and that’s just simply too late.”

Luengo also said retaining young professionals after they graduate remains a challenge for Kansas and said that expanding economic opportunities is one solution to keep those recent graduates in the state.

“We need to bring that talent to Kansas, and keep it here,” he said. “It’s a huge problem that our state has.”

Beyond the two candidates’ policy positions, organizers once again stressed the importance of civic engagement and participation in state and local elections, a recurring theme this cycle.

“All of the things in your life that you take for granted, somebody is doing behind the scenes,” Nel said. “These jobs are important and worth our attention.”

Early voting in Riley County, as well as mail-in ballot submission, continues until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Additionally, those looking to vote on Election Day can do so at several places in Manhattan and the surrounding communities.

Nel encouraged young voters to remain engaged beyond just Election Day, noting that lower turnout in midterm and non-presidential elections can give college voters an even greater voice.

“If young voters show up to the polls en masse, you can elect a whole different set of people,” he said.

As the town hall series concluded, organizers said they hoped the Tuesday town hall and similar events helped residents better understand the offices that affect daily lives across the state, and encouraged greater participation in all parts of the democratic process.

“There is not an unimportant office just because it only has local power,” Nel said. “Every single race is important, every one affects you in some way and you should vote in all of them.”