Here’s who won the Wichita City Council races after final unofficial results

Residents of Wichita’s District 1 chose Joseph Shepard as their new City Council representative.

Incumbents for District 3 and 6, Mike Hoheisel and Maggie Ballard, respectively, won re-election.

Shepard won with 3,343 votes to LaWanda DeShazer’s 2,295.

“Are you all ready to move onward together?” Shepard asked supporters Tuesday night at his watch party, recalling his election slogan.

“I’m proud of who I am because I know the God that I serve is proud of who I am,” Shepard said. “The work has to continue.”

Early next year, Shepard will take over for council member Brandon Johnson, who is term limited. Johnson endorsed Shepard in the race.

“I’m just really excited tonight about the future of District 1 in the city of Wichita,” Johnson said. “I just hope that everyone continues to engage with Joseph. He wants to reach out to the people who didn’t support him.”

DeShazer said the results were disappointing and that she thought District 1 was ready for change.

“I will hold Joseph Shepard accountable,” she said.

DeShazer said she planned to continue to be involved in the community.

“I’ve been engaged for the last 20 years,” she said. “So the work won’t stop. I ran for city council because I wanted to get closer to the resources, and to be able to voice my opinion where the money is.”

Maggie Ballard and Mike Hoheisel

Ballard and Hoheisel said they were ready to continue projects they began while in office — including SecondLight, the new wraparound homeless shelter.

“We’re in the middle of a lot of incredible projects . . . across the city,” Ballard said.

Ballard won with 3,717 votes; her opponent, Brett Anderson, received 1,878 votes.

Hoheisel garnered 1,710 votes in an election that historically sees low voter turnout. His opponent, Genevieve Howerton, received 1,140.

Fewer than 3,000 votes were cast in the south Wichita election.

“It’s politics, and you never are assured of any outcome, especially in a race where it’s small margins, small turnout, no polling,” Hoheisel said.

Howerton said she was “saddened by the voter turnout” but not by Hoheisel’s victory.

“I feel pretty good. I really respect Mike, and I know he has District 3 in his best interest. He was a great opponent to have, honestly.”

City council races are nonpartisan, meaning parties do not hold primaries or caucuses and party affiliation does not appear on the ballot. Members are elected for four-year terms by district. Council member pay recently was raised to $57,985.20 a year.

This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 7:42 PM.