A former Manhattan city commissioner and school board member has announced he’s seeking a seat in the Kansas Legislature.

Aaron Estabrook has announced his candidacy for the Kansas House of Representatives in District 66, a seat held by Democrat Sydney Carlin since 2003.

In a statement released to commemorate Kansas Day Thursday, Estabrook noted his campaign is centered on “building a broad, people-first coalition in a district where unaffiliated voters make up the largest share of the electorate.” His path to victory he says focuses on engaging unaffiliated Kansans, pragmatic Republicans, and change-minded Democrats who want results over party politics.

“As Kansans, we don’t shy away from hard work,” he said. “But too many families in our community face rising costs for housing, healthcare, and child care — and too often struggle to get the services they need. We can do better together.”

His key platform areas include affordable housing solutions and workforce development, expanded access to healthcare and mental health resources, veterans’ support and reintegration services and fiscal accountability and responsive representation.

“I’m running not just to represent a party, but to represent the people who make this district strong,” Estabrook said.

Estabrook, 42, is an Army veteran and currently works as executive director of the Manhattan Housing Authority. He’s also a co-founder of the Manhattan Area Resettlement Team. Estabrook served on the Manhattan City Commission from 2020 to 2021. He was on the USD 383 school board from 2014 to 2018.

As previously reported by The Mercury, Carlin is intending to seek re-election in 2026. The 81-year-old has been unopposed in the previous three elections. In a radio interview on KMAN in September on Within Reason with Mike Matson, Carlin said she was working to fundraise.

“I see no reason not to continue,” Carlin said. “I get notes in the mail thanking me for my service, and I get people everywhere saying, please keep working for us and I’m not exaggerating on that. I feel I would be letting people down if I did not continue.”

According to the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office, Noah Perry, a Republican candidate from Manhattan, has also filed for the seat.