Wu emerges as front-runner in Wichita mayor’s race, but Whipple says he can still win

Political newcomer Lily Wu emerged from the Wichita primary election as the early favorite for the November mayoral election. But Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he’s confident he can win re-election.

Whipple faces an uphill climb. First, he has to secure a spot on the November ballot.

He finished election night with a 398-vote lead over City Council member Bryan Frye, who said Tuesday night that he’s holding on to hope that late-arriving and provisional ballots could nudge him into second place. But an updated count of mail-in votes Wednesday evening showed Whipple’s lead over Frye had swelled to 610 votes.

Wu received 12,000 votes (30.0%). Whipple was second with 9,578 (23.9%), slightly ahead of Frye with 8,968 (22.4%). Wichita saw the highest voter turnout (15.33%) for a primary mayoral election since 2003, when 27.1% of registered voters cast ballots.

Going into the general election, Wu holds a sizable fundraising advantage over Whipple. She had more than $88,000 cash on hand as of July 20 compared to Whipple’s $27,794 and Frye’s $25,938. During the first two weeks of July, she also had the help of $66,000 in outside spending by Americans For Prosperity, one of the nation’s most powerful conservative advocacy groups that’s backed by Wichita billionaire Charles Koch.

That fundraising advantage and outside spending boost are expected to continue during the general election, which historically has about double the turnout of the primary and much higher spending levels by candidates and outside groups.

The two leading candidates spared no time taking aim at each other in their election night speeches.

Wu, a former TV news reporter, characterized the primary results as a referendum against Whipple’s leadership. Whipple, in turn, said Wu’s campaign is an attempt by Koch’s national political network to buy influence at City Hall.

“Three quarters of the electorate voted for change and a new mayor,” Wu said. “As an outsider and first-time candidate, I wouldn’t be receiving such widespread support if it weren’t for people who are dissatisfied.”

“Wichita has a choice right now,” Whipple said. “Do we let City Hall get taken over by the people who took over Lily Wu’s campaign in less than a month, or do we want it to be run by the people?”

But first, the primary finish has to be resolved.

It’s unknown how many ballots are yet to be counted. Any advance ballots postmarked on or before Election Day could arrive as late as Friday and still count, as well as provisional ballots, which are cast when a voter’s eligibility is in doubt.

The results won’t be final until the Aug. 10 canvass of votes.

398 votes separate Whipple and Frye

Whipple, a Democrat, said he is not concerned about Frye catching up.

“Historically, we do pretty well on late arriving ballots, and I think my lead on Frye will only grow,” Whipple said.

Frye, a Republican, said he was surprised how close he and Whipple are, noting that 398 votes is an especially thin margin.

He’s trying to understand what that number may mean.

“I’m still just trying to grasp 398 votes out of 40,000,” he said. “What’s next? Is there a path?”

Meaning are there votes still unaccounted for, and could that mean he might still be one of the top two finalists even though Whipple is leading at the moment?

“That’s what I need to know,” Frye said. “We’re definitely going to check it out.”

However, he added, “If it is final, then it’s final, and I accept that.”

Wu celebrates convincing win

Wu said her primary win shows a majority of the city is fed up with Whipple.

Whipple said his second place finish was expected, given Wu’s fundraising advantage. “Frankly, that’s what over $200,000 will get you,” Whipple said. “You come out in a crowded primary on top.”

Wu has campaigned on bringing together the community and has run as a political outsider, despite financial support from several prominent Wichita developers and business owners with business ties to City Hall.

Wu’s support appears to cross party lines. Among those in attendance at her election night party were Republican Kansas Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins, Republican Sedgwick County Commission Chair Pete Meitzner, former Republican Commissioner Michael O’Donnell and former county Democratic Party Chair Joseph Shepard.

Amid criticism for her campaign funding, Wu struck a defiant tone in her acceptance speech.

“The naysayers got louder and the attacks flowed,” Wu said. “At times, it got nasty. A story twisted and a narrative manufactured.

“A bigger battle awaits. Defeating an incumbent mayor is never easy, so the race to Nov. 7 will be challenging. We need your support. Wichita needs your support.”

Meitzner, the county commission chairman, was exuberant in his appraisal of Wu’s victory.

“Fist pump emoji!” he exulted.

“Our city deserves a person, a Lily Wu, to be our mayor . . . We’re a big economic engine in the state. We’re a huge contributor to the state economy and she cares about that but she also cares about everybody. She cares about everybody.”

Chris Pumpelly, a Whipple supporter and member of the Wichita Park Board, said Whipple has delivered on promises of civil rights, economic development, infrastructure and public safety. He said the November election will determine whose interests City Hall represents.

“This is going to be a contest between big money and regular people here in Wichita, but we’re used to that, aren’t we?” Pumpelly said.

Jeff Mattingly, who attended Wu’s party, said her campaign priorities resonate with him and he’s ready to see someone new in office.

“If those are the three points that she wants to emphasize — she wants to emphasize business, taxes and public safety — those are really the only things I care about,” Mattingly said.

“I just had a house that I was working on broken into six months ago. Taxes are killing me and I’m starting my own business.”

At the polls, voters expressed support for both candidates.

“Lily Wu — I think she’ll bring a new perspective on things to the city and, you know, she promises to be an outsider looking in and sometimes the best thing is to have an outsider come in and see things from a new perspective,” said Jacob Deboard, 28. “I hope that’s the case, and I wish her the best of luck.”

Jaslyn Alexander, 29, said she voted for Whipple. “I gotta say I was really happy to see that Mayor Whipple was running again. I’ve had a few chances to meet him in different events. ... I enjoy what he’s doing with the city. I love his vision. I love that he’s so open and with just how he’s running the city and I would love to see him get another term.”

Contributing: Carrie Rengers and Sarah Moore of The Wichita Eagle