Here’s who’s raising the most money in Wichita City Council races

Democrats Joseph Shepard and Maggie Ballard lead in fundraising efforts for the Nov. 4 City Council election, campaign finance reports show.

Shepard, running for the open District 1 seat, raised $32,531 starting the week before the primary and leading into the general election with $4,035 on hand before the reporting period.

Ballard, who’s running for re-election in District 6, raised $27,945 during the same period. However, she had $32,530 on hand before the reporting period, bringing her total coffers to $60,472, the most of any candidate.

Both candidates far out-raised their respective opponents.

What DeShazer, Shepard raised in City Council District 1

In the District 1 race, Shepard faces LaWanda DeShazer.

DeShazer brought in $9,037 during the reporting period with $1,422.96 on hand after the primary election.

Most of DeShazer’s donations came from small contributions. She did receive the maximum fundraising contribution of $500 from the Sedgwick County Democratic Women PAC and also from longtime Wichita developer Colby Sandlian, who sits on the advisory council for the Kansas Policy Institute, a conservative think tank.

Shepard received $500 contributions from some limited liability corporations and prominent Wichita business people, including developer Jay Russell and Thrive Restaurant Group CEO Jon Rolph.

Shepard also listed a $2,000 donation from Comfort Care Homes on his campaign finance report, the maximum allowed under state law.

However, Wichita’s newly established campaign finance ordinance only allows maximum contributions of $500. In his expense filings, Shepard refunded $1,500 to comply with the city’s ordinance.

He also refunded $500 to Jill Docking after she gave a $1,000 contribution to his campaign.

“[Those donations] happened before it was brought to our attention that Wichita has home rule,” Shepard told The Eagle in an interview.

Shepard also recently returned some campaign donations from the primary election that exceeded the $500 limit after City Hall watchdog Celeste Racette accused him of violating campaign finance laws.

What Hoheisel, Howerton raised in City Council District 3

Incumbent Mike Hoheisel, a Democrat, out-raised his opponent in the District 3 race.

Hoheisel brought in $13,591 during the reporting period, with his opponent, Genevieve Howerton raising $3,047 during the same period.

Hoheisel received some smaller contributions, but received the maximum $500 contribution from some PACs and LLCs, including the Spirit Aerosystems State PAC and the progressive Wayback PAC.

Hoheisel, in compliance with the city’s campaign finance ordinance, listed the owners of LLCs who contributed to his campaign, including developers Marty Cornejo and Steve Barrett.

Howerton has some small contributions to her campaign, but also listed $500 contributions from Sandlian and the Keep Kansas Red PAC, which is connected to U.S. Rep. Ron Estes.

Howerton is the daughter of state Rep. Cyndi Howerton, who she also listed as giving a $500 contribution.

What Ballard, Anderson, Shabazz raised in City Council District 6

Ballard received several smaller contributions on her way to raising $27,945. But she also received maximum contributions from several area developers and businesses, including The Monarch and Hutton Construction CEO Ben Hutton.

Her Republican opponent Brett Anderson raised $8,856. He received several $500 contributions, including from Estes’ PAC and Sandlian.

Anderson also listed a $1,000 contribution from Culture Shield Action, a group that campaigned heavily in 2022 for an unsuccessful constitutional amendment that would have said there is no right to abortion in Kansas.

Unaffiliated candidate Margaret Shabazz raised $340 during the reporting period.

This story was originally published October 28, 2025 at 4:09 PM.