How much have Wichita school board candidates raised for their campaigns?
Candidates for Wichita school board have raised modest contributions ahead of the Aug. 5 primary, though a few are pulling ahead of the competition in donations, according to disclosure forms the candidates turned in this week.
Candidates in voting Districts 1 and 5 will vie for the two finalist slots in each of their primaries. Districts 2 and 6 did not have primaries and will be up for election in November.
District 1 incumbent Diane Albert is outraising her challengers by thousands. She’s raised more than $7,200 as of July 28.
By comparison, first-time candidate Mackenzi Truelove raised about $1,195 including $100 from herself. The two other District 1 candidates, Sarah McMillen and Kyle Wiseman, both filed for exemptions, certifying that they would not spend more than $1,000 on their campaigns.
In District 5, challenger Amy Jensen raised over $4,944. Incumbent Kathy Bond raised $3,799, including about $370 from herself and her husband.
The three other District 5 candidates — Michelle Cunningham, Caleb Smith and Philip Samuels — filed for exemptions.
In District 2, incumbent Julie Hedrick has raised about $7,400 so far, including $1,000 donations from local business owners and retirees. Brent Davis raised $4,952, likewise largely in $1,000 donations from retirees and professionals. Valerie Most filed for an exemption.
In District 6, Amy Warren took in the most contributions of any candidate with $9,878, though this did include a $1,000 initial contribution by Warren and her husband. Warren’s contributions were mostly donations of $500, many from individuals whose occupations were not listed on the form. District 6 incumbent Hazel Stabler has raised $3,000 so far, with a couple of $1,000 donations..
Voters can only vote for the candidate in the USD 259 district where they live. You can find maps of the voting districts here.