Topeka Voters Will Decide District 56 House Seat

Residents of Kansas House District 56 will head to the polls on November 3 to choose between incumbent Virgil Weigel and Elvin Fajardo.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring the silhouette of the Kansas State Capitol dome, evoking the gravity of the local legislative election. — Topeka residents will vote on November 3 to determine the next representative for Kansas House District 56 between Virgil Weigel and Elvin Fajardo. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Topeka voters in Kansas House District 56 will cast ballots on November 3 to determine their next representative. The race features Democratic incumbent Virgil Weigel and Republican challenger Elvin Fajardo.

Why it matters

The outcome of this race directly impacts local households, as the state school funding formula is scheduled to expire on July 1. Policy decisions made regarding this formula and state tax exemptions will shape future education support and household tax burdens.

Statewide, Kansas currently maintains $8 billion in annual sales tax exemptions. Legislators are considering the removal of $1 billion of these exemptions as they prepare to address the July 1 expiration of the K-12 school funding formula.

The players

Virgil Weigel

The Democratic incumbent who has lived in Topeka for over 41 years and previously served in law enforcement for 28 years.

Elvin Fajardo

The Republican challenger for the seat who currently works as a legislative aide and a church security team member.

The details

The candidates represent different professional backgrounds, with Virgil Weigel bringing experience from a 28-year law enforcement career and Elvin Fajardo currently working as a legislative aide and church security team member. As the state nears the expiration of its K-12 funding formula, the next representative will play a key role in debates over property tax rates and the state's tax exemption structure.

2011: Virgil Weigel retired from his career in law enforcement.
2013 to 2014: Virgil Weigel served his first term in the Kansas House.
2017: Virgil Weigel began his current tenure in the Kansas House.
July 1: The Kansas school funding formula is set to expire.
November 3: Residents of District 56 will head to the polls.

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The Home Front

The upcoming legislative session will be defined by the expiration of the Kansas school funding formula, a critical component of state education policy. This race will determine who manages the transition of this funding mechanism and the potential restructuring of state tax exemptions.

Voters should review the current 20-mill state property tax rate, which remains a central factor in K-12 school funding. Keep an eye on legislative updates following the November 3 election to see how changes to the funding formula may impact your local property tax assessment.

The takeaway

The election of a District 56 representative will significantly influence the state's approach to expiring K-12 funding and potential tax code revisions. Residents should stay informed on candidate positions regarding the 20-mill property tax rate and state exemption policies.