Jennifer Day

Jennifer Day earned a bachelor's degree from Pepperdine University in 1996. Day's career experience includes working as an entrepreneur, as a real estate investor, and as an executive assistant. She has been affiliated with the League of Women Voters, Moms Demand Action, the National Organization for Women, and Johnson County Democratic Women.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have lived in Overland Park in northeast Johnson County, Kansas for 25 years, where I've worked for various large corporations in support positions until 2013. Since that time, I have focused my energy on my real estate investment and interior design business.

I have also dedicated much of the past decade to political activism, starting out by assisting various campaigns as a volunteer, as well as serving as an election worker in Johnson County each election since 2018, as a precinct committee person for the Johnson County Democratic Party since 2019, and in additional leadership roles for the county and state party since 2021.

I served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2020 through 2021, resigning in June of that year due to a move out of my House District.

I've been an active member of the local branch of the League of Women Voters, and served as the Vice President from 2023 through 2024, as well as serving on various committees as needed since 2021, and I am a member of the Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Voter education is a priority for me. I want to work on efforts to help promote civic engagement among Kansans of all ages, and to enhance education on election processes and procedures. I plan to work with the legislature to guarantee Kansas laws protect the rights of voters, fair voting access, and consider the various situations voters may encounter during election periods.Kansans deserve to feel confident and comfortable with the voting process. I plan to ensure our voting systems remain accurate, reliable, and free from political influence, disinformation, and fearmongering.I am intent on ensuring all Kansas businesses have the tools they need in order to thrive in our state. I understand that the government should support businesses rather than create more barriers to their success. My experience in positions of employment at small businesses, in retail establishments and restaurants, in large corporations, and as a small business owner myself, helps form a special perspective to serve as Secretary of State to ALL Kansans, rather than a select group.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Primarily voter education, voter access, and increasing voter participation.

Additionally, I am in support of reproductive bodily autonomy, finding effective paths to fight detrimental global environmental change, discontinuing government-sponsored attacks on minority groups and individuals, and promoting economic freedom and equity.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

March On PAC

Brandon Woodard - Minority Leader, Kansas House of Representatives

Nikki McDonald - Kansas State Representative District 49

Dan Osman - Kansas State Representative District 48

Jerry Stogsdill - Kansas State Representative District 21

Mike Kelly - Johnson County, Kansas, County Commission Chair

Jeff Pittman - former Kansas State Senator District 5

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

A resident of Johnson County for 20 years, I graduated from Pepperdine University in 1996 with an English Literature degree before choosing Kansas as my forever home.

While my husband, Jesse, and I run a family-owned real estate investment business, 11-Eleven,

I have also been highly active in my community, serving as a precinct committeewoman, volunteering on multiple campaigns, and acting as an election/poll worker, for the last several years. A lifelong Republican until 2016, I then chose to join the Democratic Party as it had become clear to me that the modern Republican Party no longer represented my values. I am also a member of Moms Demand Action, the League of Women Voters, and the National Organization of Women (NOW).

Focused around issues like protecting public schools, election integrity, equality, and access to affordable healthcare, I do my best to act as a steadfast public servant. I appreciate what an incredible opportunity it is to take the next step up into the State Representative position, and look forward to accomplishing even more for the people of the 48th when I am re-elected.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am in favor of expanding opportunities for all residents of our state.I'm interested in fair policies, and balance in leadership.I will work hard to promote investment in families, and our communities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public Education: I believe every student in Kansas deserves access to high-quality education options. We can achieve that goal through increased teacher pay, maintaining smaller class sizes, and providing the resources our educators need in order to address any challenges they may encounter.

Equality and Inclusivity: I favor a statewide non-discrimination act for Kansas. Our state should be a place where all people are able to attend school, work, and live free from retribution from others based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Medicaid Expansion: In the states where Medicaid expansion hasn't happened, few adults qualify for Medicaid unless they are pregnant or have disabilities. Expansion will help provide coverage for many in Johnson County who fall into a coverage gap, where they earn too much to qualify for the current program, but too little to qualify for financial help for a private plan. I want to ensure that my neighbors aren't forced to choose between paying medical bills and paying for other expenses.

Taxes and Budget: Kansas has worked hard to move past the disastrous Kansas Tax Cut Experiment that Brownback saddled us with from 2012 through 2017. Governor Kelly's vision of a fiscally responsible, sustainable, and fair budget package can and should be promoted with the help of bipartisan commitment in the legislature.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe it's beneficial for state legislators to have been engaged in government or politics prior to being elected. I actually believe it's beneficial for all citizens to engage in government or politics however they're able. There are many opportunities for this type of engagement: attending candidate forums, or events where legislation and issues are being discussed, where direct interaction between representatives and constituents is possible; going to city and county council meetings; becoming involved in the election process through working for specific campaigns, or becoming an election day volunteer in their county.

Local politics, at the municipal and state level, are especially accessible in states like Kansas. Once I began attending legislative forums and hearing about the law making process in Topeka directly from the legislators themselves, I gained a better understanding of how our process is working (or not working, in many cases) for Kansans, specifically. Stepping into the role of precinct committeewoman for our local Democratic Party gave me access to more face to face interaction with constituents in my precinct, so I could discuss their concerns, and encourage them to vote in upcoming elections. Working for the Johnson County election office as an election day volunteer has given me insight and confidence in our election process in our county, during a time when fair elections are a major concern for many.

Further, it's important that legislators with varied backgrounds are working in our state capitols. Whether we're lawyers, teachers, doctors, farmers, or business owners, we all bring important perspective to the table. It's important that all perspectives are considered when making laws that impact all citizens.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I'm in favor of a fair and balanced process of redistricting, performed with the guidance of independent council. I believe it will be best achieved through bipartisan cooperation, and am hopeful that the members of our state legislature will keep the general population in mind as they work toward the goal of fair boundary drawing.

While Kansas has defined rules in place regarding redistricting, I believe that remaining focused on the goal to ensure that maps reflect and protect the interests of minority communities, and remain free from political influence in their development is key.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I will look for positioning on the committees for Elections; Taxation; Energy, Utilities and Telecommunication; and Higher Education Budget.