Meet the 7 candidates running for Leawood City Council amid JoCo development boom
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- Seven candidates compete for four Leawood council seats amid development boom
- Two incumbents run unopposed while five newcomers seek city council seats
- Election on Nov. 4 centers on managing growth, identity and development conflicts
As Leawood residents grapple with an influx of new development and a myriad of other issues, seven candidates are running to serve on the city’s governing council.
The crowded field includes a wide range of candidates jockeying for four spots on the city council, including two incumbents running unopposed and five newcomers.
The Nov. 4 election comes at a key time for Leawood, illustrating the complicated divide over preserving the city’s identity while managing the growing pains associated with large developments.
The City of Leawood, located in eastern Johnson County, operates under a mayor-council form of government in which the mayor and eight council members are elected separately. Those nine officials make up the nonpartisan City Council.
All of the candidates are listed on the Johnson County Election Office’s website and voters can find their sample ballots on the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.
Ward 1
Matt Peppes
Matt Peppes, a North Leawood native, runs a digital marketing firm called Cuvée KC, according to his Linkedin profile and campaign website.
Peppes holds leadership positions for various community organizations, such as the Leawood Board of Zoning Appeals and the Historic Commission. He also chairs the Leawood Economic Development Council and is vice president of the Leawood Homes Association.
In one online candidate profile, Peppes centered his campaign around neighborhood quality of life, thoughtful growth and development and fiscal responsibility.
While Leawood City Council is a nonpartisan position, the Johnson County Democratic Party has promoted his campaign.
Sarah Meuli
Sarah Mueli, a candidate for Ward 1, does not appear to have an active campaign website or publicly available comments online.
Ward 2
Mary Larson (Incumbent)
Leawood City Councilmember Mary Larson is running for reelection unopposed. An attorney by trade, Larson has served on the City Council since 2017, according to her Linkedin profile.
Ward 3
Daniel Taylor
Daniel Taylor does not appear to have an active campaign website or publicly available comments.
Mitch Lohr
Mitch Lohr’s campaign website highlights his extensive experience in government and volunteer work for nonprofits. His Linkedin profile states that he currently works as a freelance consultant who focuses on marketing.
A Leawood native, Lohr spent two years working for the U.S. House in Washington, D.C., including as a legislative assistant. He also previously worked for American Battlefield Trust, a nonprofit focused on preserving Revolutionary and Civil War battlefields, and has volunteered for the Smithsonian National Museum and the National World War I Museum & Memorial.
The Johnson County Democratic Party has promoted Lohr’s campaign.
Rachel Rubin
Rachel Rubin, an attorney, touts her experience with various community groups on her campaign website.
Some of her experience includes membership in the Leawood committee that fosters a “sister city” relationship with the Regional Council of Gezer in Israel, previously serving as president of the Waterford Homes Association and working on the board for the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City.
Rubin’s website also highlights her campaign priorities, which include a need to improve traffic safety and a focus on holding developers accountable for their promises, specifically related to the 135th Street Corridor.
The Johnson County Democratic Party has promoted Rubin’s campaign.
Ward 4
Julie A. Cain (Incumbent)
A local realtor and councilmember, Julie A. Cain is running for reelection unopposed. Cain has sold real estate since 2004 after previously working as a stockbroker and in pharmaceutical sales, according to her Linkedin profile.
Cain has also volunteered with various community organizations, such as Avenue of Life, Hope Faith Ministries and Kansas City Young Matrons, according to her profile.
This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 11:11 AM.
