Vanessa Vaughn West

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
BP-Initials-UPDATED.png
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Vanessa Vaughn West
Image of Vanessa Vaughn West

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

University of Missouri, Columbia, 1999

Personal
Birthplace
Springfield, Mo.
Profession
Executive
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Vanessa Vaughn West (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Kansas House of Representatives to represent District 39. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Vaughn West completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Vanessa Vaughn West was born in Springfield, Missouri. She attended the University of Navarra and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia in 1999. West's professional experience includes working as an executive, corporate grant writer and communications professional, and in local government.[1][2]

West has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

  • Starlight Theater
  • United Community Services of Johnson County
  • Johnson County Parks and Recreation Public Arts Committee
  • Lenexa Police Department’s Community Advisory Board
  • Olathe Citizen’s Police Academy
  • Olathe Latino Coalition
  • City of Shawnee, Kan. Parks and Recreation Improvement Plan and Citizen Engagement Committees
  • Olathe Noon Rotary

Elections

2024

See also: Kansas House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Kansas House of Representatives District 39

Angela Stiens defeated Vanessa Vaughn West in the general election for Kansas House of Representatives District 39 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Angela Stiens
Angela Stiens (R)
 
51.6
 
6,837
Image of Vanessa Vaughn West
Vanessa Vaughn West (D) Candidate Connection
 
48.4
 
6,418

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 13,255
Candidate Connection = 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.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 39

Vanessa Vaughn West advanced from the Democratic primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 39 on August 6, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Vanessa Vaughn West
Vanessa Vaughn West Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
1,149

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,149
Candidate Connection = 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.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 39

Angela Stiens advanced from the Republican primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 39 on August 6, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Angela Stiens
Angela Stiens
 
100.0
 
1,448

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,448
Candidate Connection = 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

To view Vaughn West's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Vaughn West in this election.

2022

See also: Kansas House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Kansas House of Representatives District 39

Incumbent Owen Donohoe defeated Vanessa Vaughn West in the general election for Kansas House of Representatives District 39 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Owen Donohoe
Owen Donohoe (R)
 
51.0
 
5,052
Image of Vanessa Vaughn West
Vanessa Vaughn West (D) Candidate Connection
 
49.0
 
4,847

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 9,899
Candidate Connection = 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.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 39

Vanessa Vaughn West advanced from the Democratic primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 39 on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Vanessa Vaughn West
Vanessa Vaughn West Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
3,119

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 3,119
Candidate Connection = 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.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 39

Incumbent Owen Donohoe advanced from the Republican primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 39 on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Owen Donohoe
Owen Donohoe
 
100.0
 
4,073

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 4,073
Candidate Connection = 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

To view West's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Vanessa Vaughn West completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Vaughn West's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I'm running to be a connector, collaborator and voice for the people in District 39. As a proven advocate for inclusion, I have a track record of bringing people together to address important community issues. I intend to listen and work with ALL community members, especially those who have been traditionally underrepresented in Kansas politics and within the legislature. I am a working mother, member active board & strong advocate for a representative government. I am ready to join the House to protect abortion access, fully fund public education, access to affordable healthcare, sensible gun laws and an economy that works for all.
  • I will protect reproductive freedom for women and girls.
  • I will advocate for our public schools and special education funding.
  • I will focus on responsible taxation, including lowering/eliminating unnecessary taxes.
I am passionate about a representative and responsive democracy. That's why I will listen to your ideas and will respond to your concerns. I will champion your key issues, and I will work with representatives from business, the community and legislature to advocate for world-class public schools, strong and healthy communities, and vibrant economic development throughout Kansas.
The Republican supermajority in our statehouse means one party dominates the agenda, controlling which issues and bills are addressed. This limits balanced debate and collaboration. I am in this race because we need a more diverse government to ensure fair representation and bipartisan solutions.
An elected official needs to represent their constituents by being present and accessible. They need to understand the perspectives and will of the people and legislate accordingly, in the best interest of the people. They should not allow personal beliefs to guide their governance, but instead be data driven and informed by those most impacted my legislative policy.
I would like to a legacy of inclusion, opportunity and collaboration.
What's Inside, Waitress Original Broadway Cast Recording
Yes, I believe prior government experience is invaluable for state legislators. My background in local government taught me to collaborate with elected officials, advocate for citizens, and ensure our community’s needs were heard. In my community outreach role for a large local municipality, I partnered with police, fire departments, and underrepresented groups to create a government that was both responsive and representative. This hands-on experience allows me to hit the ground running, bringing the same collaborative approach and problem-solving skills to the legislature from day one.
Yes, building relationships with other legislators is crucial. Collaboration is essential, and we must move beyond partisan polarization. That’s why I believe in parity in government—to ensure we can create sound legislation and governance that truly represents all Kansans. A balanced government prevents important issues from being sidelined due to political ideologies, allowing us to address the needs of everyone in our state.
I am focused on winning this race for the District 39 seat in the Kansas House.
Yes, I’ve had a voter reach out to me about his deep frustration with accessing social services for his special needs son. He shared how difficult it was to navigate the system and how slow it was to get the help they needed. His plea was simple: he wants the legislature to improve the efficiency and quality of services, so families like his can receive the support they deserve quickly and seamlessly. That story has stayed with me and continues to motivate my work.
KNEA; Greater Kansas City Political CaucusKC; BizPAC; Education First Shawnee MIssion; ALF-CIO; LiUNA; Kansas Trial Lawyers; Middle of the Road PAC (Governor Laura Kelly); Shawnee Mayor Mickey Sandifer; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers; KTLA Consumer/Civil Justice PAC; Johnson County Democratic Women; Moms Demand Gun Sense Candidate; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; Game on for Kansas Schools; AFT Kansas; SMART; DLCC Spotlight Race
I’m particularly interested in serving on committees like Health and Human Services, driven by my nonprofit work and dedication to improving mental health and accessible healthcare. Education, both K-12 and higher education, and Elections, to safeguard free and fair elections, are also key areas of focus. I’m committed to Social Services as well. However, I am prepared to serve wherever needed and will put in the work, from thorough research to building strong connections, to be effective in any role.

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.

2022

Candidate Connection

Vanessa Vaughn West completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Vaughn West's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I'm running to be a connector, collaborator and voice for the people in District 39. As a proven advocate for inclusion, I have a track record of bringing people together to address important community issues. I intend to listen and work with ALL community members, especially those who have been traditionally underrepresented in Kansas politics and within the legislature. I am a working mother, member active board & strong advocate for a representative government. I am ready to join the House to protect abortion access, fully fund public education, access to affordable healthcare, sensible gun laws and an economy that works for all.
  • I will protect reproductive freedom for women and girls.
  • I will advocate for our public schools and special education funding.
  • I will focus on responsible taxation, including lowering/eliminating unnecessary taxes.
I am passionate about a representative and responsive democracy. That's why I listen to your ideas and will respond to your concerns. I will champion your key issues, and I will work with representatives from business, the community and legislature to advocate for world-class public schools, strong and healthy communities, and vibrant economic development throughout Kansas.
Our current representative has missed 25% of the votes in the Kansas House, earning the 7th worst voting record in Kansas. He has also sided with extremists and voted against the will of the majority of Kansans regarding reproductive freedom.
An elected official needs to represent their constituents by being present and accessible. They need to understand the perspectives and will of the people and legislate accordingly, in the best interest of the people. They should not allow personal beliefs to guide their governance, but instead be data driven and informed by those most impacted my legislative policy.
I would like to a legacy of inclusion, opportunity and collaboration.
I remember the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. Although I wasn't yet 5 years old I remember being afraid for the safety of our President and our nation. It was the first time I had seen harm done to a famous person and worried about my own safety as a result.
Dear Theodosia

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.


Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Vanessa Vaughn West campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Kansas House of Representatives District 39Lost general$77,921 $0
2022Kansas House of Representatives District 39Lost general$26,316 $0
Grand total$104,237 $0
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

2024 Elections

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

Government

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

Newsletters

Ballotpedia RSS.jpg
The Daily Brew
The Weekly Brew
The Ballot Bulletin
Checks and Balances
Economy and Society
Hall Pass
Number of the Day
Robe & Gavel


External links

Candidate

Kansas House of Representatives District 39
  • Facebook
  • Website
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
    		•

    Personal

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
    		•

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 29, 2022
    2. ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 8, 2024


    Current members of the Kansas House of Representatives
    Leadership
    Speaker of the House:Daniel Hawkins
    Majority Leader:Chris Croft
    Minority Leader:Brandon Woodard
    Representatives
    District 1
    District 2
    District 3
    District 4
    District 5
    District 6
    District 7
    District 8
    District 9
    District 10
    District 11
    Ron Bryce (R)
    District 12
    Doug Blex (R)
    District 13
    District 14
    District 15
    District 16
    District 17
    District 18
    District 19
    District 20
    District 21
    District 22
    District 23
    District 24
    District 25
    Rui Xu (D)
    District 26
    District 27
    District 28
    District 29
    District 30
    District 31
    District 32
    District 33
    District 34
    District 35
    District 36
    District 37
    District 38
    District 39
    District 40
    District 41
    District 42
    District 43
    District 44
    District 45
    Mike Amyx (D)
    District 46
    District 47
    District 48
    Dan Osman (D)
    District 49
    District 50
    District 51
    District 52
    District 53
    District 54
    District 55
    District 56
    District 57
    District 58
    District 59
    District 60
    District 61
    District 62
    District 63
    District 64
    District 65
    District 66
    District 67
    District 68
    District 69
    District 70
    District 71
    District 72
    District 73
    District 74
    Mike King (R)
    District 75
    District 76
    District 77
    District 78
    District 79
    District 80
    District 81
    District 82
    District 83
    District 84
    Ford Carr (D)
    District 85
    District 86
    District 87
    District 88
    District 89
    District 90
    District 91
    District 92
    District 93
    District 94
    District 95
    District 96
    District 97
    District 98
    District 99
    District 100
    District 101
    District 102
    District 103
    District 104
    District 105
    Jill Ward (R)
    District 106
    District 107
    Dawn Wolf (R)
    District 108
    District 109
    District 110
    District 111
    District 112
    District 113
    District 114
    District 115
    District 116
    District 117
    Adam Turk (R)
    District 118
    District 119
    District 120
    District 121
    District 122
    District 123
    Bob Lewis (R)
    District 124
    District 125
    Republican Party (88)
    Democratic Party (37)


    Flag of Kansas
    v • e
    State of Kansas
    Topeka (capital)
    Elections

    What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

    Government

    Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy


    Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Vanessa_Vaughn_West&oldid=10013893"