LaWanda DeShazer

LaWanda DeShazer

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, Wichita City Council District 1

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Wichita Southeast High School

Bachelor's

Southwestern College, 2002

Graduate

Southwestern College, 2004

Personal

Birthplace

Wichita, Kan.

Profession

Community outreach

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

LaWanda DeShazer is running for election to the Wichita City Council to represent District 1 in Kansas. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. She advanced from the primary on August 5, 2025.

DeShazer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

LaWanda DeShazer was born in Wichita, Kansas. She graduated from Wichita Southeast High School. She earned a bachelor's and graduate degree from Southwestern College in 2002 and 2004, respectively. Her career experience includes working in community outreach.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Wichita, Kansas (2025)

General election

General election for Wichita City Council District 1

LaWanda DeShazer and Joseph Shepard are running in the general election for Wichita City Council District 1 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	LaWanda DeShazer (Nonpartisan)
		Joseph Shepard (Nonpartisan)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= 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.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Wichita City Council District 1

Joseph Shepard and LaWanda DeShazer defeated Chris Pumpelly, Aujanae Bennett, and Darryl Carrington in the primary for Wichita City Council District 1 on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joseph Shepard (Nonpartisan)	47.9	1,811
✔	Submit photo	LaWanda DeShazer (Nonpartisan)	20.5	776
	Submit photo	Chris Pumpelly (Nonpartisan)	16.5	622
	Submit photo	Aujanae Bennett (Nonpartisan)	11.1	421
	Submit photo	Darryl Carrington (Nonpartisan)	4.0	151

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,781
= 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.

Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

LaWanda DeShazer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by DeShazer's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Experience and Trust are important! I am currently the most experienced and prepared running for the office and have a lifelong connection

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 & THRIVING COMMUNITIES. I propose partnering with citizens to implement community safety strategies. We need to make sure all elements of public safety are adequately funded and staffed. Communities know their needs better than anyone else and I plan to include them in conversations. Safe and thriving means more than "just surviving", it means moving forward in a way feasible to independent communities as it ties into the growth plan of the City,
• Economic Empowerment. My goal is to strengthen the economic foundation of District 1 by supporting small businesses, investing in workforce and job training, and promoting fair, inclusive development. District 1 is full of potential, and with sensible, forward-thinking planning, we can ensure that growth benefits everyone—not just a few. I’m committed to making sure our citizens are active partners in shaping the economic future of our community.
• AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I am committed to fighting for fair and attainable housing solutions for all families. Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home—whether they dream of owning or prefer to rent. I will work to expand access to homeownership through innovative pathways while ensuring strong protections for both tenants and landlords. As we grow, we must be creative and intentional—revitalizing existing homes, transforming vacant lots with modular housing, and reinvesting in our neighborhoods rather than tearing them down. Together, we can build stronger, more inclusive communities that everyone can afford to live in.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am deeply passionate about public policies that strengthen families, empower communities, and create equal opportunities for all. My focus areas include economic empowerment, affordable housing, public safety, and youth development. I believe in policies that support small businesses, create pathways to homeownership, and ensure our neighborhoods are safe, thriving, and inclusive. I’m especially committed to uplifting young people through mentorship and engagement, because investing in them builds a stronger future for all of us.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe honesty, ethical behavior, and transparency are the cornerstones of effective leadership. Elected officials must lead with integrity, make decisions in the best interest of the people they serve, and remain accountable to the community. Trust is earned through actions, and I am committed to serving with fairness, openness, and respect for all voices.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe the core responsibility of anyone elected to this office is to lead with strength, consistency, and integrity. District 1 deserves leadership that stands on principle and does not change positions for convenience or appearance. True leaders take responsibility, acknowledge mistakes, and move forward in a positive and transparent manner. My commitment is to serve with honesty, accountability, and a genuine desire to make decisions that benefit all residents.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want my legacy to reflect a life of servant leadership—one where I always put the needs of others first and worked tirelessly to uplift the community. I want the citizens of Wichita to know that I gave my very best to make a difference. My hope is that my service inspires others to lead with integrity, compassion, and a genuine commitment to helping others. My legacy should be one of unity, empowerment, and progress for District 1 and for all of Wichita.

What is your favorite book? Why?

One of my favorite books is George Orwell's "1984". It warns against not just having power, but absolute power and how it can suppress thoughts and freedoms of citizens. That is why it is important to have someone in political seats that are honest and are serving or others and not just for themselves.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, I believe previous experience in government or politics is very important. We are in a political climate where understanding internal processes and procedures is essential to getting things done effectively. Our city has approximately 400,000 residents depending on strong, informed leadership. This is not the time for on-the-job training—experience and knowledge truly matter when making decisions that impact our community every day.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

I believe hands-on experience in government is essential for any City Council member. Having worked within public service for many years, I understand how city operations, budgeting, and development processes impact our daily lives. Equally important are honesty, integrity, and the courage to make decisions based on what’s right—not what’s politically convenient. We’ve seen development deals that haven’t benefited our citizens, and I am committed to ensuring that every decision made moving forward is fair, transparent, and truly in the best interest of the people of Wichita.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Although I am proud of my undergrad degree in Human Resources, and my Master Degree in Business, I am most proud of my Honorary Doctorate Degree in Ministry. The Doctorate is a compilation of all of my community service work over the last 20 years.

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.

See also

2025 Elections

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Candidate

Wichita City Council District 1

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