Former Wichita mayor files to face fellow Democrat in state House primary

Former Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple is returning to Kansas politics.

Whipple filed enough signatures with the Kansas secretary of state’s office, rather than file and pay a fee, to appear on the August Democratic primary ballot for Kansas House District 83, which covers Eastborough and part of east Wichita.

The seat is held by Democrat Henry Helgerson of Eastborough, who has filed for re-election. A Republican candidate, Zachary Werhan, has also filed to run for the seat, according to campaign filings.

Whipple needed 96 signatures to appear on the August ballot and filed 150 signatures with the office.

“Collecting these signatures wasn’t just about getting on the ballot,” Whipple said in a news release. “It was about proving there is real energy for a campaign focused on working families, public schools, healthcare access, and protecting Democratic values.”

Whipple previously served in the Kansas Statehouse, where he represented District 86, which covers parts of south Wichita. He held that seat from 2013 until he was sworn in as Wichita’s mayor in 2020.

Whipple lost re-election for mayor in 2023 against Lily Wu.

Kansas House Democrats Leader Brandon Woodard backed Helgerson for re-election when Whipple announced he would explore a run for the seat.

“We stand firmly behind Representative Helgerson of House District 83, and we are all-in on ensuring he defeats any challenger both in the August primary and the November general election,” Woodard said in the statement. “He will have our full, unwavering support every step of the way.”

The primary is Aug. 4.