2023 Wichita mayoral election

The 2023 Wichita mayoral election was held on November 7, 2023, to elect the mayor of Wichita, Kansas. The election is required to be non-partisan, but most candidates are known to be affiliated with political parties. Incumbent Democratic mayor Brandon Whipple unsuccessfully ran for re-election to a second term, losing to registered Libertarian candidate Lily Wu.

Former TV news anchor Lily Wu finished first in the primary election, with Whipple narrowly defeating Republican city councilor Brian Frye to secure the second spot in the general election. Wu was backed by numerous prominent Republicans in the general election, including former U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Representative Mike Pompeo. Despite Lily Wu being a registered Libertarian, the Libertarian Party of Kansas declined to endorse Wu because of her being a registered Republican shortly before the election.

Without getting an endorsement from any political party, Wu pitched herself as a political outsider, while Whipple ran on his record. Wu defeated Whipple by a wide margin and became the first Asian-American and second female mayor in Wichita history.

Candidates

Declared

Jared Cerullo, former city councilor (Registered Republican Voter)
Bryan Frye, city councilor (Registered Republican Voter)
Tom Kane
Celeste Racette, community activist and former Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation investigator (Registered Independent Voter)
Julie Stroud, environmental health specialist (Registered Independent Voter)
Brandon Whipple, incumbent mayor (Registered Democratic Voter)
Lily Wu, former KWCH-DT news anchor (Registered Libertarian Voter)

Withdrew

Irving Freige, U.S. Navy veteran

Declined

Jeff Blubaugh, city councilor (running for Sedgwick County commission, endorsed Frye)
Pete Meitzner, chair of the Sedgwick County commission and former city councilor (endorsed Wu)