Wichita City Council member plans to challenge Sedgwick County commissioner in 2024

Wichita City Council member Jeff Blubaugh plans to challenge Sarah Lopez, the only Democrat on the Sedgwick County Commission, in 2024.

Blubaugh, a Republican who has represented southwest Wichita’s District 4 for eight years, is not eligible to run for a third straight term on the council. He said in a Monday announcement that he had seriously considered running for mayor in 2023 after being overwhelmed by people asking him to run against Brandon Whipple.

But, he said in a news release, “I know I can best serve my community by continuing to fight for the people of southwest Wichita and hopefully have the honor to serve the communities of Haysville and Clearwater.”

Lopez, the first Hispanic woman elected to the Sedgwick County Commission, defeated Republican Michael O’Donnell by 264 votes in 2020 after it came to light that he helped orchestrate a smear campaign against then-mayoral candidate Brandon Whipple in 2019.

Lopez declined to say Monday afternoon whether she plans to seek re-election in County Commission District 2, noting the election is nearly two years away.

“I am not interested in stopping the work I’m doing today to begin campaigning,” she said in a statement. “We have a lot to accomplish over the next two years and I will be fully dedicated to seeing the initiatives I’ve begun through to completion.”

She said that since the 2020 election, “we’ve seen huge improvements to stabilizing our workforce, the largest criminal justice reform in decades and large-scale economic development projects that will transform the future of Sedgwick County.”

Lopez is the only Democrat and the only woman on the five-member County Commission after Mattress Hub founder Ryan Baty defeated Lacey Cruse in District 4 last November. Republicans Jim Howell and Pete Meitzner both successfully defended their seats against challenges from Democrats.

Blubaugh, a former Cessna Aircraft worker turned real estate broker who raises Angus cattle, is the first candidate to announce a bid for the District 2 Republican nomination.

“I’m proud of what has been accomplished during my time on the council,” he said in the release. “Southwest Wichita has seen more road projects, park investments and public/private improvements over my term on the council than ever before. From a new airport, ballpark, Delano revitalization, Pawnee Prairie Park investments, West Street infrastructure, my district has really grown.”

Blubaugh was first elected to the City Council in 2015, defeating Josh Shorter 62% to 37%. He defended his seat in 2019, claiming 58% of the vote in a three-candidate race.

Republican state representative Nick Hoheisel will serve as Blubaugh’s treasurer.

This story was originally published January 9, 2023 at 10:39 AM.