Here’s how much money Wichita City Council candidates have raised before primary

Candidate Joseph Shepard has far outraised his opponents leading up to the Aug. 5 primary for the open Wichita City Council seat in District 1, according to the latest campaign finance filings.

Shepard has raised $39,683 since he announced his candidacy earlier this year. That amount includes both smaller individual contributions and larger ones from some prominent Wichitans.

Donors include Crystal Prairie Lake area developer Jay Russell, Thrive Restaurant Group CEO Jon Rolph, Monarch owner Jennifer Ray, and several owners and operators of local construction groups, who all gave $500 each.

Shepard has spent much of what he brought in and has $4,655 leading into the final days of the primary election.

The next highest amount was raised by LaWanda DeShazer, who brought in less than a third of what Shepard raised.

She raised $8,850 during the reporting period, but had some cash on hand after announcing her candidacy much earlier than her opponents, bringing the total available during that period to $10,048.

She has spent much of that and has $1,423 leading into the primary.

Chris Pumpelly brought in $5,800, mainly from smaller individual contributions; former Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple gave $100. Aujanae Bennett reported raising $940 in contributions from smaller donors. She also reported $400 worth of “in-kind” contributions and noted an endorsement from Kansans for Life, and an appearance on the conservative talk radio show hosted by John Whitmer.

Darryl Carrington reported $2,000 in personal loans to his campaign.

Other council races

District 6 incumbent Maggie Ballard brought in $31,189, even though she’s not facing a primary election. Ballard also had cash on hand from her previous election, bringing the total available during the reporting period to $45,590.30.

Her opponent Brett Anderson brought in $2,350, with $1,500 of that from a personal loan. The other candidate in the race, Margaret Shabazz, has yet to file her campaign finance report that was due Monday.

District 3 incumbent Mike Hoheisel reported bringing in $4,912, mainly in smaller contributions. His opponent, Genevieve Howerton, brought in $900, including a $500 contribution from ex-Goddard Mayor Hunter Larkin.

This story was originally published July 29, 2025 at 4:16 PM.