STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT TO KANSAS STATE TREASURER

A spirit for service, a mind for numbers and concern about the state’s finances coming out of the 2008 recession led Steven Johnson (Kansas State 84) to seek a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives in 2010. After more than a decade of service in the state legislature, those same qualities led Johnson to seek the office of state treasurer in the 2022 elections.

Running for a statewide office in Kansas is a grueling task. There are 105 counties in which to campaign. Thousands of dollars must be raised to pay for campaign staff, yard signs, t-shirts, and — of course — television ads and Johnson did it twice within a span of a few months. In August 2022, he was successful in the Republican primary, securing a victory by the slimmest of margins: 474 votes or 0.1% of more than 438,424 votes. In the general election, his margin was much more comfortable, defeating the incumbent state treasurer by nearly 13%.

Johnson was sworn into office as the 42nd Kansas State Treasurer January 9, 2023. He now serves as the state’s banker, managing the state’s cash flows and serving as a “watchdog” over state funds on behalf of taxpayers.

“State finances were my focus in the legislature,” Steven said. “That, combined with my previous experience building financial portfolios in the private sector, led me to look deeper into the responsibilities and opportunities that exist in the state treasurer’s office and oversee efforts to manage the state’s money.”

Steven’s qualities of leadership and service were recognized at an early age when his peers elected him as student body president when he was a sophomore at Kansas State University.

Kent Bradley (Kansas State 85) recalled first meeting Steven during their 4-H youth involvement, and then being recruited by Johnson to join FarmHouse. “Our paths had crossed in high school with 4-H activities,” Kent said.

“He was obviously effective as a recruiter for FarmHouse — because I joined. Among many admirable qualities, Steven has incredible integrity. He is organized and mission driven. He is courteous and deeply cares about issues. He has drive and is articulate and inclusive.”

Steven again recruited Kent, this time to replace him as student body president, leading to back-to-back FarmHouse men at the helm of Kansas State’s student government.

After graduating with honors from Kansas State, Steven received his MBA from the University of Chicago. He then spent more than 20 years working for a financial management firm, relocating several times across the country, and returning regularly to Kansas to help on his family’s central Kansas cattle and grain farm.

To say politicians are not well known for their keen financial management abilities is likely an understatement. For Steven, it stired his desire to serve the state, aspiring to leave things better than he found them.

During his 12 years as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives, Steven dug deep into the state’s finances, eventually chairing the house tax committee and the house committee overseeing insurance and pensions.

Steven Johnson was sworn in as Kansas State Treasurer in January 2023.

His signature achievement came in his final year in the legislature as he led an effort to shore up the state’s pension system, which had long been underfunded. Those efforts culminated with the passage of a bill in 2022 that transferred more than $1 billion in excess revenues to the pension fund. As state treasurer, Steven continues his efforts to ensure the system is well-funded for public employee retirees by serving on the board who oversees the pension fund.

“In my career as a financial advisor, I worked directly with individuals to make sure they were properly planning for their future expenses, including retirement,” Steven said. “In public service, we have a responsibility to make sure we are properly funding our future liabilities. For state governments one of the largest future liabilities is the state’s pension system.”

In the House, Johnson earned respect from members on both sides of the aisle, leading a civility program that brought members of both parties together to find common ground and exchange dialogue. He organized a “lunch lottery,” which allowed members to be selected at random to go to lunch together and get to know each other outside the formalities of the statehouse.

Serving in public office, Steven credits his experience in FarmHouse and at Kansas State University with instilling in him the qualities of leadership he relies upon daily.

“As ‘Builders of Men,’ our commitment to service and leadership provided opportunities to build on those experiences through my career and in public office,” he said. “I am grateful to my FarmHouse brothers for helping me get my start in student politics, and for the continued support I’ve had from the many generations of FarmHouse men who have helped me along the way.”

In his campaign for state treasurer, Steven was able to secure volunteer support from several FarmHouse undergraduate members in the same way he relied on his FarmHouse brothers during his run for student body president.

Pictured left to right: Caleb Stout (Kansas State 20), Preston Dunn (Kansas State 22), Steven Johnson (Kansas State 84), Eli DeBaun (Kansas State 21) and Logan Cone (Kansas State 21).

Caleb Stout (Kansas State 20) recently followed in Johnson’s footsteps by being elected Kansas State student body president. He was among the FarmHouse men who volunteered for Johnson’s campaign. “I knew it would be a great opportunity to invest in the political process, but even more so it was just a chance to help a fellow FarmHouse man,” Caleb said.

Several FarmHouse men were able to join Johnson for an election night watch party in November. “It was a lot of fun,” Caleb said. “We got to watch as the results rolled in and celebrated with him as he gave his acceptance speech. He thanked us personally, and it was just a fun time.”

Steven encourages all FarmHouse men to find ways to live out their commitment to serve. “Service is largely the same at all levels. Serving in our churches, 4-H clubs and communities are places where we solve real issues and provide some of the greatest opportunities. Meeting FH brothers across the state who are the trusted leaders in their communities remains a highlight of my campaign.”

Written by Clint Blaes (Kansas State 05), director of communications and marketing for the Kansas state treasurer’s office and a FarmHouse communications committee member.