Alexandria Washington (Overland Park City Council, Ward 5, Kansas, candidate 2025)
Alexandria Washington (Nonpartisan) is running for election to Overland Park City Council, Ward 5 in Kansas on November 4, 2025.[1]
Elections
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Alexandria Washington completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Washington's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am running for Overland Park City Council (Ward 5) to ensure our city remains a vibrant, inclusive, and financially secure place for all families.
I believe in smart financial planning, responsible governance, and policies that uplift families and businesses alike. Together, we can build a safer, fairer, and more prosperous Overland Park.
- Financial Security for Families & Businesses – Advocating for responsible economic policies, small business growth, and financial literacy initiatives that help families build long-term stability.
- Equal Rights & Inclusive Governance – Ensuring that Overland Park remains a diverse, inclusive community where everyone has access to opportunities and fair representation.
- Community Safety & Infrastructure – Strengthening community policing, investing in mental health resources, and improving public infrastructure to create safer neighborhoods.
While previous experience in government can be helpful, it’s not the only path to success. What’s most important is having a deep understanding of public service, strong ethics, and a commitment to transparency and fairness. Fresh perspectives from outside politics can sometimes bring needed innovation. However, familiarity with how government systems work can certainly help the officeholder be more effective from day one.
At the local level, this office provides direct, responsive service to the community, ensuring that government remains accessible and accountable. It often manages resources, enforces local laws, and advocates for citizen needs in a way that larger bodies of government can't always do effectively. Its proximity to the people it serves makes it a unique and vital connector between everyday citizens and broader government structures.
I look up to leaders who lead with integrity, humility, and a real commitment to service — people like Stacey Abrams and Barack Obama. Stacey Abrams, in particular, inspires me because of her unwavering focus on expanding opportunity and building systems that serve everyone, not just a few. Her ability to stay focused, organized, and community-centered even in the face of setbacks shows the kind of resilience and purpose I want to bring to public service. I admire leaders who balance idealism with practical action, who listen first, and who work hard every day to build trust and deliver results. That's the kind of example I hope to follow.
Strong leadership, clear communication, financial literacy, critical thinking, and a solid understanding of public policy are essential. The ability to listen to constituents, analyze complex information, and make decisions based on fairness and data are key to success. Experience in finance, law, public administration, or community leadership would be especially valuable in supporting the work of the office.
I would like my legacy to be one of service, trust, and real impact. I want people to say that I listened, that I made government more accessible and responsive, and that I helped make my community stronger and fairer for everyone. I believe a true legacy isn’t about holding a title — it’s about what you build and leave behind for others. If I can inspire more people to get involved, restore faith in public service, and create real, lasting improvements in people's daily lives, that would be the legacy I’m proud to leave.
The most important characteristics and principles for an elected official are integrity, accountability, transparency, and a commitment to serving the public good. Integrity ensures that officials act ethically and uphold the trust placed in them by voters. Accountability means they take responsibility for their actions and decisions, recognizing that they are answerable to the people they represent. Transparency builds trust by making processes and decision-making clear and accessible.
A genuine commitment to serving the public good—over personal, political, or financial interests—is crucial for building strong, healthy communities. An elected official must listen, lead with empathy, and balance diverse perspectives while making decisions that benefit the whole community.
Business-Friendly Policies: Streamline permitting and licensing processes to make it easier for businesses to start and expand in Overland Park. Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaboration between the city and businesses to drive innovation, job creation, and community development. Small Business Support: Expand access to city resources, mentorship programs, and grants for small businesses to foster local economic growth.
Financial transparency and government accountability are absolutely essential to building public trust. Taxpayers have the right to know how their money is being spent and to expect that decisions are made fairly and responsibly. Transparency ensures that government actions are open to public review, and accountability means elected officials must answer for their choices. Both are critical to preventing waste, fraud, and abuse, and they help create a culture of honesty and integrity in public service.
This office serves as a bridge between the community and the larger framework of state government and the legal system. It plays a critical role in ensuring that laws are fairly applied, that public resources are managed properly, and that citizens have a direct line to the systems that affect their daily lives. Its accessibility to the public, combined with its responsibility to uphold state law and policy, makes it a unique protector of both individual rights and government standards.
Yes — many people don't realize that this office often has the ability to initiate investigations, audits, or community reviews that help protect public funds and ensure ethical practices. It can also serve as a key resource for residents navigating legal or governmental processes, acting as an advocate for fairness and transparency. Raising awareness about these responsibilities can empower the public to engage more actively with their government.
I worked at a doctor/medical supply store. It was great to interact with clients. I also had quite a bit of self-management from the beginning, so I was able to build up my need to be self-sufficient.
Like many people, I’ve faced real financial challenges in my life. I experienced an extremely difficult personal situation that tested me both emotionally and financially. But instead of letting it define me, I took action — I worked hard, rebuilt, and used that experience to grow stronger. It’s part of what led me to pursue my master’s degree in financial planning. Today, I’m proud to have turned that adversity into a foundation for helping others and making sound, ethical financial decisions in both my personal and professional life.
One book I would recommend is The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama. It offers a balanced, thoughtful view of how hope, pragmatism, and a belief in common ground can drive effective leadership. It reflects my political philosophy: that government should be practical, inclusive, and focused on improving people's lives without losing sight of values like integrity, fairness, and responsibility. I believe real progress happens when we listen to each other, find shared priorities, and commit to building strong, resilient communities. This book captures that spirit well.
I remember in high school, my freshman year, September 11th happened. It changed everyone and the country forever.
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External links
[1] ↑ Submitted to Ballotpedia's candidate survey in 2025.
