Great public schools are the foundation of Johnson County. As a proud product of the Shawnee Mission School District, and the parent of a Shawnee Mission student, Ethan knows first-hand the value of our high-quality public education system.

In 2019, our state finally restored school funding to adequate and equitable levels after nearly a decade of starving our schools of needed resources. The results have been tangible — our high school graduation rate is the highest on record, and the percentage of students who are going on to get post-secondary degrees or industry and work credentials is also at an all-time high. But we can’t let up. Every student in Kansas must have access to a world-class public school education. That’s why Ethan has advocated for fully funding Special Education, increasing teacher pay, restoring due process protections for teachers, and making Kansas home to the best early childhood education system in the country.

The earliest years of a child’s life are the most critical in preparing them for lifelong academic, health, and social success. Investments in early childhood care and education result in significant returns for our communities – making these investments priorities now saves our state money down the line, and results in a better quality of life for more Kansans. Ethan supports the work the Office of Early Childhood is doing to streamline services, reduce structural barriers, and create opportunities for more Kansas children.

Ethan has consistently stood on the side of equality for all Kansans. He knows that to grow our state and remain attractive to young people, we must be open and welcoming. That’s why Ethan supports a statewide non-discrimination act, so Kansans can’t be fired from their job, denied housing or business, or bullied because of who they are.

Ethan has long been a supporter of Medicaid Expansion, viewing it as a moral and economic imperative. Expansion would lower health care costs for all Kansans, strengthen our healthcare delivery system across the state, and provide health insurance to hardworking Kansans. It would also allow Kansas to receive additional federal funds – money Kansas taxpayers have already paid – to support our hospitals, address our healthcare worker shortage, and grow our economy.

Kansans decided overwhelmingly in August 2022 that personal, private medical decisions should be made by patients and their families in consultation with health care providers and faith leaders – not politicians in Topeka. Ethan is committed to defending Kansans’ constitutional rights to bodily autonomy and self-determination, whether they’re seeking abortion care or gender-affirming care.

Utilizing his experience in economic development gained at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Ethan has consistently supported programs to bring jobs and businesses to Kansas, like Panasonic’s $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant right here in Johnson County.

Ethan believes that our budgets should be balanced, sustainable, and fiscally responsible. As a member of the Senate Tax Committee, Ethan has supported broad based tax relief for all Kansans, including cutting property taxes, increasing the standard deduction, and eliminating the state sales tax on groceries. He has also supported targeted tax relief for seniors, veterans, young families, and first-time homebuyers.