Television reporter Lily Wu resigns from KWCH to explore a run for mayor of Wichita
Wichita television news reporter Lily Wu has resigned from KWCH, Channel 12 and is exploring a run for mayor in 2023.
“After 30 years of calling Wichita home, my love for our community and the investment it has made in me, has led me to consider serving our community in new ways,” Wu is quoted as saying in a KWCH article Tuesday.
Wu, who joined Channel 12 in 2020, previously reported on-air for KAKE News starting in 2010, where she regularly covered the Wichita Police Department. She holds a master’s in journalism from the University of Hong Kong. She also holds multiple bachelor degrees from Wichita State University, where she sits on multiple boards, including the Barton School of Business Alumni Advisory Board and the Steve Clark YMCA advisory group.
Wu said she was resigning “to remove any perceived conflict of interest” as she weighs a potential run.
“As a reporter for 12 years, my first responsibility has always been to listen,” Wu told The Eagle Wednesday. “Leadership requires listening. After being approached by numerous community leaders and volunteers encouraging me to run for mayor, I am giving it thoughtful consideration. I believe Wichita deserves an outsider with a new perspective focused on results over politics.”
She said she expects to make a decision about running in the coming weeks.
Mayor Brandon Whipple says he plans to run for re-election but has not yet filed with the Sedgwick County Election Office. Declared challengers include City Council member Bryan Frye, Save Century II founder Celeste Racette, Julie Rose Stroud, Anthony Gallardo and Tom Kane.
Former City Council member Jared Cerullo is currently collecting signatures to get his name added to the ballot rather than pay the election office’s filing fees, and Sedgwick County Commission Chair Pete Meitzner told The Eagle earlier this year that he hasn’t ruled out a run for mayor.
The primary election on Aug. 1 will narrow the field to two candidates and Wichita will pick its next mayor on Nov. 7.
This story was originally published February 28, 2023 at 7:42 PM.