Chris Phelps (Kansas)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Chris Phelps

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 7, 2023

Education

Associate

Texas State Technical College, 1991

Personal

Birthplace

Topeka, Kan.

Religion

Baptist

Profession

Sales

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Chris Phelps ran for election to the Topeka City Council to represent District 8 in Kansas. He lost in the general election on November 7, 2023.

Phelps completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Chris Phelps was born in Topeka, Kansas. He earned an associate degree from Texas State Technical College in 1991. Phelps' career experience includes working in sales.

Elections

2023

See also: City elections in Topeka, Kansas (2023)

General election

General election for Topeka City Council District 8

Incumbent Spencer Duncan defeated Chris Phelps in the general election for Topeka City Council District 8 on November 7, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Spencer Duncan (Nonpartisan)	79.3	1,341
		Chris Phelps (Nonpartisan)	20.1	340
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	10

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,691
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Spencer Duncan and Chris Phelps advanced from the primary for Topeka City Council District 8.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Phelps in this election.

Campaign themes

2023

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Chris Phelps completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Phelps' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

The number one role for City Government and it's leaders it to provide a safe environment for each and every citizen and non-citizen. In 2022 I was a graduate of the Topeka Police Citizen's academy. During the 12 week class I was able to learn and appreciate the different units of the Topeka Police Department. There is not one unit that is not needed, however I feel that if we are going to truly fight crime we need to start at the root. The root of crime starts in our schools and school children. We all have the need to belong to something, however with the growing use of electronics we have become a society of secluded individuals. I feel the great resource we have to fight crime is with the School Resource Officers. The School Resource Officers create an environment inside of the schools where they are mentors to these kids. After talking with a couple of officers it is clear that they have a heart for the kids, they can tell by body language if something is wrong at home.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Safe and Strong Neighborhoods
• Responsible City Budgets
• Infrastructure Quality of Living

Community Question Featured local question

Do you think the downtown area is healthy? What is your definition of a healthy downtown? What changes, if any, would you like to make?

I would say our downtown is healthy. We have had a lot of economic growth. I wouldn't change anything but just keep the growth going.

Community Question Featured local question

How important is it to involve residents in the government’s decision-making process? What plans do you have regarding resident involvement in this process?

It is very important to involve residents. The residents of District 8 will have my phone number to call me anytime to connect.

Community Question Featured local question

How would you address crime and public safety? Do you have a different stance than current city council policy?

I would have never voted to buy a hotel, I would have used that money to increase salary's and hire more Law enforcement. Since the hotel is already bought I will work to get it sold asap to free up money to fight the important issues of crime.

Community Question Featured local question

How would you set priorities and develop plans in a way that will reflect community values and goals?

I would have regular focus groups and forums to get a clear understanding of the communities values and direction they would like to see and then work to match that.

Community Question Featured local question

What do you think about the city's current approach to public safety? Would you take any different positions?

We have a long way to go with public safety

Community Question Featured local question

What plans do you have regarding infrastructure?

I will work to develop a plan to not only fix the already broken streets, but to maintain the newer infrastructure so that we don't find ourselves in this mess in the future.

Community Question Featured local question

What plans do you have regarding the police department? Would you make any changes from current policy?

I would work to increase competitive salary. The Country shares the same building yet their officers get paid a lot more.

Community Question Featured local question

What policies would you have implemented in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic? Why did you select those policies?

As a parent of an 11 year old-8 when the pandemic started, I would have never shut down schools. Yes moving schools remotely had to happen but students went from all day school to about 1.5 hours a day.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

33 homicides are unacceptable. I am passionate about creating a safe environment for the citizens of Topeka

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My Dad. he was a man of character, right is right and wrong is wrong.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a Christian with Christian values and my moral compass would direct me in making the votes needed to change Topeka

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to make Topeka a better place for generations to come

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Nov. 15 1988 Topeka West Tornado, I was 17

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Vista Hamburgers, 1 year

What is your favorite book? Why?

What to Say When You Talk To Yourself. I think if you can master the self-talk that is constantly playing in your head you can master everything else.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Fly like an Eagle

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Weight. I topped out at 408lbs. It has been a struggle all my life until about 5 years ago. I conquered it and lost 240 lbs.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Note: Community Questions were submitted by the public and chosen for inclusion by a volunteer advisory board. The chosen questions were modified by staff to adhere to Ballotpedia’s neutrality standards. To learn more about Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Expansion Project, click here.

See also

2023 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

Topeka City Council District 8

Website

Facebook