Voter guide: What Wichita City Council candidates say about issues in District 1
LaWanda DeShazer and Joseph Shepard are running for the open Wichita City Council seat in District 1.
Shepard finished first and DeShazer second in an August primary race with five candidates seeking to replace Brandon Johnson, who faces term limits after eight years on the council.
District 1 includes the core of Wichita, with parts of downtown, and generally stretches north to city limits and east to Rock Road.
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 was recently raised to $57,985.20 a year.
The election is Nov. 4. Advance voting by mail is open now. Request a ballot here by Tuesday, Oct. 28. Advance voting in person starts Monday, Oct. 20 at the Sedgwick County Election Office, 510 N. Main, Suite 101, in Wichita. Go here for details and information on satellite sites opening Thursday, Oct. 30.
Here is what candidates said in response to The Eagle’s voter guide questionnaire. The responses have not been edited.
LaWanda DeShazer
Age: 60
Occupation: Community Engagement Specialst; Founder Communities In Action
Campaign phone: 316-737-8120
Campaign email: info@votedeshazer.com
Website: votedeshazer.com
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision? Because experience, knowledge, and trust matter. With over 20 years of direct government experience in procedure and finances; my work with the YMCA and The Wichita Collective Impact, in which I brought 65 nonprofits and organizations to the table to work on a shared mission; are examples of experience and knowledge. My vision and commitment to this community runs deep. Attainable housing, sensible economic development, and enhanced safety and quality of life.
What is your top priority and what specifically would you do to address it? My top priority is building safe and thriving communities. I believe everything is connected — when our neighborhoods feel safe, businesses invest, and opportunities grow. Safety is a foundation that drives economics, attracts investments. I will work to strengthen partnerships with law enforcement and community; support community-based programs that provide positive outlets for youth, and advocate for smart investments in infrastructure and neighborhood revitalization.
How do the needs of your district differ from the rest of the city? How would you advocate for the district’s unique needs? Every resident wants safe neighborhoods, clean streets, economic opportunity, and a high quality of life. However, what makes District 1 unique is that there are areas that have felt forgotten or left behind when it comes to resources and investment. You see it in aging infrastructures, inconsistent economic development, and disparities in access to essential services. These issues impact people’s everyday lives. My approach will focus on strategic partnerships and community collaboration.
The city lowered its property tax mill levy slightly this year for the first time in nearly 40 years. Would you advocate to raise or lower the mill levy in the future? How would you balance that with funding city services? The City of Wichita just recently hired an auditor, after not having one for several years. I would advocate for having more than one auditor because we need to have an in-depth review of the budget before any major decisions are made. We recently found out that some previous agreements with developers have not been honored, and other contractual fees were not collected (i.e. parking). We have to have a solid foundation moving forward in order to make sound decisions regarding the mill levy.
If you had to cut city services because of a lowered mill levy, what would you cut? Is there anything you wouldn’t cut? Until we have a sound financial foundation, I would not make any changes to the mill levy. I sat in on a simulation exercise earlier this year led by the City Manager, in which citizens were charged with cutting services due to budget shortfalls. At the end of the exercise, not one service was cut. This told me that current services are important to our citizens and that if anything was cut--it should be a community led conversation. Keeping communities safe will always be a priority.
Is there a particular city service that you think needs more resources? If so, how would you pay for that? I have learned that all city services are important and need more resources, depending on who you ask. But there are two areas that need immediate attention because it effects the quality of life for all citizens: housing the homeless and keeping our communities safe. Both come with a price tag, that is why I am advocating for an accurate financial standing based on information from auditors before plans are made on how to fund those services or any other services citizens feel are important.
Joseph Shepard
Age: 32
Occupation: Director of Community and Program Impact
Campaign phone: 316-226-0974
Campaign email: Joseph@voteshepard.com
Website: voteshepard.com
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision? As a graduate of Wichita State University, the most diverse institution in Kansas, I learned early that leadership means looking beyond oneself to serve the whole community. My lived experience, including overcoming homelessness, and my professional experience building a statewide organization headquartered in Wichita, prepared me to meet today’s challenges with innovation, partnership, and inclusive leadership. My vision is a District 1 where every neighbor is seen, heard, and supported.
What is your top priority and what specifically would you do to address it? Building strong communities means addressing the challenges of our unhoused neighbors, the affordable and workforce housing crisis, improving walkability, and strengthening neighborhood associations. I will work with planning and housing departments to diversify housing options, partner with the private sector to build safe, affordable housing, and rehab homes with nonprofit support. We must also provide resources and funding to sustain neighborhood associations and be present during challenges.
How do the needs of your district differ from the rest of the city? How would you advocate for the district’s unique needs? District 1 is diverse socially, economically, geographically, racially, and in many other ways. Challenges vary, so a one-size-fits-all approach will not work. My proximity to community, including those I don’t personally identify with, is vital. We must mobilize District Advisory Board members as delegates alongside the councilmember, ensuring residents have a seat at the table on issues that impact their quality of life.
The city lowered its property tax mill levy slightly this year for the first time in nearly 40 years. Would you advocate to raise or lower the mill levy in the future? How would you balance that with funding city services? The mill levy must be raised as we consider the potential consequences of lowering it. A $14 annual savings for the average homeowner does not justify the harmful impact this decision would have on core services, especially in neighborhoods across District 1, but also citywide. Conversely, if we’re raising it, we must be diligent in ensuring residents have strong infrastructure, safety and quality core services.
If you had to cut city services because of a lowered mill levy, what would you cut? Is there anything you wouldn’t cut? Before reaching that point, I would work with the city’s finance department to review the projected outlook well in advance. If the roadmap showed a significant shortfall, even with a margin of error, I would collaborate with council members to engage the public on the option of a sales tax and give the public a chance to vote on it. Our job is to ensure Wichita’s economic success, and cuts that harm core services and the quality of life in District 1 would not be in residents’ best interest.
Is there a particular city service that you think needs more resources? If so, how would you pay for that? Yes, I believe the Public Works and City Engineering Department needs more resources to address issues like potholes, sidewalks, nuisances, and housing violations. Residents consistently express the value of investing in infrastructure, yet the high volume of reports submitted through the “See,Click,Fix” app strains staff capacity. Without adequate human capital, delays occur, leaving residents feeling unheard and questioning whether local government is truly working for them.
This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 4:45 AM.