Meet the 5 candidates running for seats on the Olathe City Council this year
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Five candidates seek three Olathe City Council seats in November 2025.
- Council candidates prioritize infrastructure, public safety and housing policy.
- Voters will decide contested at-large and Ward 4 races; Ward 3 candidate unopposed.
Three seats on the seven-member Olathe City Council are up for election in November.
All Olathe voters will get an opportunity to vote in at least one contest, as two new candidates vie for the at-large position that Kevin Gilmore chose not to seek re-election to.
Some voters will also be asked to weigh in on a second race.
One incumbent is running unchallenged for re-election in southeast Olathe’s Ward 3, and a long-time City Council member in northeast Olathe’s Ward 4 is facing a challenger.
Over the course of their four-year terms, City Council members will be asked to balance municipal priorities such as infrastructure and public safety with residents’ concerns about property taxes.
Council members will also make important decisions about what development should be allowed in Olathe and what needs to be done to expand the affordable housing stock as Johnson County continues to grapple with an expensive housing market.
Additionally, Olathe City Manager Michael Wilkes, who has served since 1999, is set to retire early next year.
Like most local elections, Olathe City Council races are nominally nonpartisan contests.
Voters can see sample ballots on the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.
Find more coverage of Johnson County politics on KansasCity.com, or sign up for a free newsletter with news for the county.
At-Large
Jeff Creighton
Creighton recently retired after a 40-year career as business manager for the Harlan Parker Insurance Agency in Olathe, according to his campaign website.
He is a current member of the Olathe Planning Commission and has past volunteer experience on the Olathe Citizens Police Advisory Council and the Olathe Police Foundation.
“With his business background, Jeff desires to work alongside the city’s leadership team to support fiscal policies that maintain the city’s strong bond rating while supporting the priorities of the citizens,” Creighton’s website says.
It also emphasizes his support for the city’s police and fire departments and for transportation projects that improve traffic flow and safety.
Rob Olson
Olson is a longtime Republican state lawmaker who represented Johnson County residents in the House from 2005 to 2010 and the Senate from 2011 to 2024 before leaving state politics.
Olson does not appear to have a campaign website or an active social media presence.
During his time in the Kansas Legislature, Olson rose to the leadership position of the House majority whip, and later chaired Senate committees on utilities, banking and commerce.
Ward 4
Kevin Deneault
Deneault is a self-employed entrepreneur who has lived in Olathe since 2003, according to his campaign website.
“I believe in planning smart growth — where new development and businesses add value to our neighborhoods, jobs to our economy, and life to our public spaces,” his website says.
Deneault has said that he supports streamlining permitting processes and prioritizing local small businesses in city contracts.
He also says Olathe should explore public/private partnerships and incentives that encourage mixed-income housing developments.
Marge Vogt (incumbent)
Vogt was first elected to the City Council in 1997 and is seeking her 10th term this year.
“My pledge is simple: to continue representing YOU — protecting what makes Olathe special while planning wisely for the future,” Vogt promises on her campaign website.
Vogt, whose professional background is in nursing, recently told The Star that she believes stability on the City Council will be important as Olathe prepares for the retirement of its longtime city manager.
“I believe that experience and continuity on the council will be essential to sustaining momentum on key initiatives and building on the progress already achieved,” Vogt said.
Ward 3
LeEtta Felter (incumbent)
Felter, who won her seat in 2021, is running unopposed for re-election.
After 12 years of service on the Olathe Public Schools Board of Education, Felter resigned her school board post in 2023.
Felter’s campaign website emphasizes her fiscal responsibility and commitment to making Olathe “an inclusive community where everyone can live a safe and productive life.”
“That means good jobs; a resilient economy; attainable housing; quality amenities, and access to extraordinary education, childcare and health services,” Felter’s website says.
