Jason Carmichael

Jason Carmichael (Republican Party) ran for election to the Kansas State Board of Education to represent District 8. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

Jason Carmichael was born in Abeline, Texas. He served in the United States Army from 2004 to 2013. Carmichael received a bachelor's degree in 2016 and a graduate degree in 2018, both from Wichita State University. His professional experience includes being a real estate investor and an Army helicopter pilot.^[1]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 8

Incumbent Betty Arnold defeated Jason Carmichael in the general election for Kansas State Board of Education District 8 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Betty Arnold (D)	51.5	45,691
	Jason Carmichael (R)	48.5	43,113

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 88,804
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 8

Incumbent Betty Arnold advanced from the Democratic primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 8 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Betty Arnold	100.0	3,515

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,515
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 8

Jason Carmichael advanced from the Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 8 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jason Carmichael	100.0	4,783

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,783
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Carmichael in this election.

2023

General election

General election for Wichita Public Schools, District 4

Incumbent Stan Reeser defeated Jason Carmichael in the general election for Wichita Public Schools, District 4 on November 7, 2023.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Stan Reeser (Nonpartisan)	54.4	2,216
	Jason Carmichael (Nonpartisan)	45.0	1,835
	Other/Write-in votes	0.6	23

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,074
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Stan Reeser and Jason Carmichael advanced from the primary for Wichita Public Schools, District 4.

Endorsements

Carmichael received the following endorsements.

State Rep. Pat Proctor (R)
Wichita Sch. Brd. Memb. Kathy Bond (Nonpartisan)
Wichita Sch. Brd. Memb. Hazel Stabler (Nonpartisan)
Republican Party of Kansas
City Elders of Kansas
Kansans for Life
Mike Brown (R) - Republican Party of Kansas Chair
Gerald Domitrovic - Dist. 101 Republican Party Precinct Committeeman
Catherine French - Dist. 306 Republican Party Precinct Committeewoman
Vail Fruechting (R) - Frmr. state Sen. cand.
Mark Gietzen (Nonpartisan) - Frmr. Kans. Coalition for Life Chair
Margarita LaFarelle Hunt - Sedgwick Cnty. Hispanic Republican Cncl. Treas.
Diana Rhiley - Wellington Twp. Republican Committeewoman
Ben Seymore - Dist. 228 Repub. Party Precinct Committeeman
Diane Sherwood - Frmr. 18th Judicial District cand.
Hollis Stabler - Dist. 608 Republican Party Precinct Committeeman

Pledges

Carmichael signed the following pledges.

Moms for Liberty

2021

General election

General election for Wichita City Council District 3

Mike Hoheisel defeated incumbent Jared Cerullo in the general election for Wichita City Council District 3 on November 2, 2021.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Mike Hoheisel (Nonpartisan)	50.2	1,655
	Jared Cerullo (Nonpartisan)	47.5	1,564
	Other/Write-in votes	2.3	77

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,296
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Wichita City Council District 3

The following candidates ran in the primary for Wichita City Council District 3 on August 3, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Hoheisel (Nonpartisan)	29.8	450
✔		Jared Cerullo (Nonpartisan)	26.7	402
		Cindy Miles (Nonpartisan)	18.2	275
		Jason Carmichael (Nonpartisan)	9.6	145
	Submit photo	Jerome Crawford (Nonpartisan)	6.8	103
		Ian Demory (Nonpartisan)	6.6	99
	Submit photo	Tevin Smith (Nonpartisan)	2.3	34

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,508
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Jason Carmichael did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Interview with KSN News

Jason Carmichael highlighted the following themes in an interview with KSN News on October 16, 2023. The questions from KSN News are bolded and Carmichael's responses follow below.^[2]

“

What are the top 3 things you think deserve your immediate attention, and how do you plan to address them?

School Resouce Officers and Police presense at Middle and High Schools. In the last year there have been 482 police reports created in just the two high schools and middle schools in USD259-4.
Teaching how to read and stopping social promotion until the standard of reading is met. The continued decline in reading performance for the last decade has been on a continuous constant decline.
Reversing the plague of absenteeism by making more schools magnet schools. Magnet schools present a challeng, but they also present a serious motivation for many students to want to be in school instead of skipping out

What do you think is the largest obstacle to student success/graduation, and how do you plan to address it?

Motivation. There are dozens of mentorship groups all throughout Wichita. These groups have to have easier access. Mentors give motivation to students to want to be better.

What is your vision for USD 259?

A district that graduates greater than 90%, has less than 10% absenteeism, has less than 2% dropouts. A standard of academic excellence that keeps students until they are ready to progress to the next level. A district that ends the 000 level courses at Wichita State and Butler county community college.

What can schools do to promote culturally responsive and racially-inclusive education?

Talk about it, recognize our differences and accept people for who they are. Study the Pledge of Allegiance and focus on the very last word.

What resources do you think Wichita schools need that they currently don’t have?

A board of education ready to stop social promotion. A board of education ready to ensure the classroom is the absolute priority for all budgeting.

Would you change how much the school district budgets on its different departments (teachers, safety, special education, etc.)? If so, how?

It is crucial to put the focus on the classroom and schools. Last year the $1.258 Billion budget had $677 million go to the schools and the rest somewhere else. 47% of the entire budget did not go to the schools.^[3]

”

2023

Jason Carmichael completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Carmichael's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Jason Carmichael running for USD259 School Board.

My platform is focused on Secure and Safe Schools and Academic Excellence.

I am a former Army Warrant Officer, I have a bachelor's degree in Finance-Real Estate and a Master's in Business Administration, both from Wichita State University.

I am a housing provider. I have an S-CORP business that invests in residential real estate and manages rental homes.

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?

Safe and Secure Schools
Academic Excellence
Engage every student with a Coach, Teacher and Mentor so they know they are important.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Utilizing the the tax revenue in a manner that puts the classroom first.

The "classroom" means students and teachers can focus on the number one reason for being in class - Teaching and Learning.

Demanding that administration ensures that students know that they have access to breakfast and lunch from the school district. The district even offers snacks and supper for after school to those that qualify.

The decision-making process is a never-ending circle of identifying opportunities, making choices, and following up and monitoring the decisions.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

With modern access to so much information, it is impossible to choose just one. I find inspiration from dozens of online personalities.

Dave Ramsey, John Wooden, Morgan Freeman, Thomas Sowell, Deion Sanders (Coach), Jack Welch, Charlie Munger.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Leand On Me. - 1989

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Duty

Respect

Service

Honesty

Integrity

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Objective listener.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Collaboration with stakeholders

What legacy would you like to leave?

Students' Success and readiness for life after high school.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

1986 Space Shuttle explosion. 6th Grade.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was 7 years old selling American Greeting Cards door to door to raise money for a remote control car. I had this job for 4 months. I sold the cards door to door, ordered the cards, then delivered the cards.

My next "job" was mowing yards in the neighborhood. At one time I had 11 houses on one street, within 3 blocks. It was awesome because I would mow next-door houses at the same time and all the yards looked like one yard.

My first "job" that was paid by the hour was at the grocery store bagging groceries and bringing carts back in.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Intelligent Investor - Benjamin Graham

Investing is a long process and takes a lot of work. It is all you. Nobody cares and nobody is going to give you anything. You must learn this and know this and study work hard and take every opportunity you can.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Shine Down - Simple Man

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Being more "outgoing".

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

Approve budget, Set BOE Policy, and hire the Superintendent.

Who are your constituents?

South and South West Wichita.
USD 259 District 4

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

Be an advocate for those who do not get the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities.

It is extremely problematic that in this district with nearly 3 out of 4 students receiving reduced or free lunches to have to make the choice to be able to compete in extracurricular activities.

I plan to implement a simple system.

If the family is in the reduced or free lunch program, they will have no fees to participate in the extracurricular activities.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

Stand firm on safe and secure classrooms and academic excellence.

I already have a plan for a district advisory board of local stakeholders, similar to how the city council is set up.

The only way to get people involved is through regular meetings. My phone and email work perfectly fine. I'm not one of these candidates that make a Facebook post or Twitter tweet and then literally ignore everyone's comments.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

The best teachers start Day 1 with a smile and a caring loving attitude.

The idea of "Don't smile until Christmas" has no place in the classroom.

The classroom is about the students learning.

In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?

Hands-on classes.

Team building classes.
Competative colaboration.
Modern technical learning labs.

WSU TECH and NIAR WERX are offering outstanding opportunities for highly rewarding careers in hands-on jobs.

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

One in four spending less than the state average per pupil. Their success in efficiency can easily be copied by others in the district.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Assure the stakeholders that security and safety are the first priority.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

USD259 has an outstanding mental health and special needs public school system.

This district can always use more counselors. The budget is enormous and must be directed to hire more clinical psychologists.

Tell us your favorite joke.

How do you catch a polar bear?

Easy, with an ice saw and a can of peas.

All you do is cut a hole in the ice and pour the peas around the hole.

When the bear comes to take a pea, you kick him in the ice hole.

(I heard this in 2nd grade and never forgot it)

What existing district policies would you like to change, or what new policies would you like to implement?

Remove fees for extracurricular activities for all students on reduced and free lunches.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Kansas For Life (KFL)

Ben Seymore
Complete Education, Inc
Diana Rhiley
Diane Sherwood
Gerald Domitrovic
Hollis Stabler
Kathy Bond
Mark Gietzen
Mike Brown
Pat Proctor
Margarita LaFarell Hunt
Vail Fruechting
Roger Nunemaker
Catherine French
Jacob Slattery
Hazel Stabler

Ken Olaf

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

Safe

Secure
Motivating

Engaging

How do you feel like your school district handled the coronavirus pandemic? What, if anything, would you do differently in the future?

The decisions made were made in a way that is contrary to how I read and uphold the constitution.

Compelled speech is not

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

Stand firm on safe and secure classrooms and academic excellence.

I already have a plan for a district advisory board of local stakeholders, similar to how the city council is set up.

The only way to get people involved is through regular meetings. My phone and email work perfectly fine. I'm not one of these candidates that make a Facebook post or Twitter tweet and then literally ignore everyone's comments.

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

Set the bar high for HR.

The BOE is not here to micromanage HR.

The BOE is here to set policy and give strategic direction.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Other survey responses

Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Carmichael completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

2021

Jason Carmichael completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Carmichael's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

American.

Veteran. Servant. Steward of real estate.

Not a politician. Business owner. First-generation college graduate. "We the People" are the first words of the most important contract in America for the most important reason. This is our country, the peoples.

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?

Control spending.
Embrace our civic pride, attempt to earn the All-America City award again.
Listen to you.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Debt spending has got to stop. Making your grandchildren pay for the stuff we get today is unconscionable. The best way to buy anything is with the money you have in your pocket today. Why go into debt and deliberately pay more for these things later?

As our property values rise for no legitimate reason, property owners have to pay more property taxes, thus everyone pays more rent and we have to pay more for everything at the store.

"We didn't raise the property taxes." - You didn't lower the mil levy either!

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Anybody with unquestionable integrity.

Benjamin Franklin and Dwight D Eisenhower. Franklin for his always jovial attitude, the ambassadorship to France, and convincing France to recognize the USA as an independent nation. He was banned from helping write The Constitution because the Framers knew he would put a fart joke in it somewhere.

Eisenhower for recognizing and developing the Interstate Highway system. It's impossible to imagine where our nation would be without the expressways of the highway system allowing for the free travel and exchange of goods in America.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

When I graduated from Army Warrant Officer school, I was issued a pocket constitution. It is easy to read. I wish more of us would simply read it.

The government was never supposed to be the answer. The government was never supposed to be where we get permission to what we are naturally given rights to. The Constitution was written to limit the government and keep Americans free and equal.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I left this place better than I found it.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

1986 Challenger explosion, in sixth grade.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Seven years old going door to door selling Christmas Cards, three years in a row.

Mowing lawns in the neighborhood starting at age eleven, I actually still do this for my rentals.

Smiths grocery store at age 15½, $3.15 an hour!

What is your favorite book? Why?

Dave Ramsey - The Legacy Journey

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Absolutely not.

I appreciate that this office has term limits and wish more offices did as well.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

The ability to relate and simply listen to the constituents.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Note: Carmichael submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on May 1, 2021.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Jason Carmichael campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Kansas State Board of Education District 8	Lost general	$200	$0
Grand total			$200	$0
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 1, 2021
↑ [https://www.ksn.com/news/your-local-election-hq/candidates/jason-carmichael-wichita-boe-dist-4-candidate/ KSN.com, “Jason Carmichael – Wichita BOE Dist. 4 candidate ,” October 16, 2023]
↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 1, 2021

[2] [https://www.ksn.com/news/your-local-election-hq/candidates/jason-carmichael-wichita-boe-dist-4-candidate/ KSN.com, “Jason Carmichael – Wichita BOE Dist. 4 candidate ,” October 16, 2023]

[quotedisclaimer-3] Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[1]

[2]

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Jason Carmichael

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 8

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 8

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 8

Endorsements

2023

General election

General election for Wichita Public Schools, District 4

Nonpartisan primary election

Endorsements

Pledges

2021

General election

General election for Wichita City Council District 3

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Wichita City Council District 3

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Interview with KSN News

2023

Other survey responses

2021

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

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2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

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