4 Unified Government seats are up for the taking. Who in Wyandotte wants them?
Nearly half the seats on the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas’s board are up for grabs this fall, and four of those races will start with a primary election later this summer.
The filing deadline to vie for a spot on one of the commission’s open at-large and in-district seats was last Monday. At that time, five people were seeking the District 2 at-large position; five were seeking the District 1 seat; three filed for District 5; and four filed for the District 8 seat. Commissioner Chuck Stites is running uncontested for his District 7 seat.
The contests are among a string of public offices opening this election year across Wyandotte County. Voters will also elect the next Unified Government mayor/CEO, county sheriff, respective school board members, public utility board members and more.
After the Aug. 5 primary, the candidate pool for each race will narrow down to two top candidates who will vie in the Nov. 4 general election.
July 15 is the last day to register to vote in the primary election. Check your registration and status and see the full list of candidates on the county’s election website. Go to the county’s commission map to see which board members represent your neighborhood.
Candidates are listed in filing order by date.
District 2 at-large
The at-large District 2 position is currently held by Tom Burroughs. His jurisdiction includes districts 2, 3, 6 and 7. The at-large District 1 seat oversees commission districts 1, 4, 5 and 8. Burroughs is leaving his seat on the commission to run to replace outgoing Mayor Tyrone Garner alongside five other candidates.
Candidates running in the District 2 at-large race:
J. Michael Tiner Mackey, a former Bonner Springs councilmember who previously sought the District 2 office in 2021;
Philip Lopez, current District 6 commissioner;
Luis Madrigal, a former KCK fire captain;
KalIie McLaughlin, a former Unified Government employee who worked in planning and zoning;
Andrew Kump, an attorney with Shamrock Trading Corporation.
District 3 Commissioner Christian Ramirez also filed for the position but pulled out before the deadline. He announced the decision in a May 31 social media statement.
“However, as national politics and divisive rhetoric increasingly seep into our community, I believe my efforts are best focused on continuing the work I began in District 3,” he wrote.
District 1
Five people are competing for the District 1 seat currently held by Gayle Townsend, who is not seeking reelection this year. She was first elected to the seat in 2013, according to the Unified Government website.
Candidates for the District 1 seat include:
Korri Hall, a student services director at the University of Kansas’ GEAR UP program;
Victor A. Harris, owner of a lawn care and snow removal service;
Darnell Busch, an information technologies director at Jade Alarm Company;
Jermaine Howard, who works for Hopeful Housing Management;
Lisa Walker-Yeager, who served as a local neighborhood association vice president and previously ran for office.
District 5
Three candidates, including one current Unified Government staff member, are running for Mike Kane’s District 5 seat. Kane, who held the seat for 20 years, is not running for another term.
Candidates for District 5 are:
Alma D. Hall, an athletic director in Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools;
Carlos Pacheco III, a local physician;
Lavert A. Murray, an economic development advisor and business liaison in Garner’s office.
District 8
Commissioner Andrew Davis will be challenged by three people in his bid for reelection. Davis was first elected to his seat in 2021.
Candidates for the District 8 include:
Davis;
Jacob Handy, a program director at High Aspirations, a faith-based mentorship program;
Madella Henderson, a resident that publicly came forward as an alleged victim of KCKPD officer Roger Golubski and advocated for justice for survivors and their families;
Nanette Tucker, who provides transportation services to students receiving behavioral support or special education services.
This story was originally published June 9, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
