Handley for Lenexa

Sunflowers, in Kansas? Not an especially groundbreaking choice of logo, but one I cared about deeply.

Sunflowers have a myth about them--that they follow the sun wherever it is. That's partially true: they do before they fully mature. But there's something compelling about that, always seeking the sun. Lenexa is special. While we can't ignore problems that need solved, neither should we turn away from the things that make it special. Instead, we should celebrate them.

That's the why behind my sunflower. Just as remembering the things (and more importantly, the people) that make Lenexa special, is the why behind running to stay in office. I'm so grateful to get to continue serving. Thank you, Lenexa, for your trust in me.

And to the many folks who volunteered knocking doors, texting and calling our neighbors, and hosting meet and greets: thank you. You helped me see the sun when it felt dark.

Let's keep working!

Featured--one of the sunflowers blooming in our backyard last summer. 🌻

Happy Election Day, Lenexa! Make sure to go make your voice heard--and let your friends and neighbors know as well. Polls are open until 7 p.m., and if you're in line by then you'll still get to vote!

Yesterday I got to attend the Kansas City Area Development Council's annual luncheon for work, something I've come to enjoy immensely every year. The energy of business and civic leaders from across the metro coming together to celebrate how we all fit together is infectious.

This year's keynote speaker was Will Guidara, former owner of Eleven Madison Park--the restaurant that became the #1 in the world not just from perfecting their product with exceptional food, technically-perfect service, or beautiful architecture... but because of a culture he and his team built around "unreasonable hospitality."

That phrase stuck with me. Guidara described how going above and beyond for others, creating moments of genuine care and surprise, doesn't just improve a dining experience: it deepens connection, trust, and care.

Lenexa Staff strive for excellence every day, and I thought of stories I've heard from other Lenexans where staff haven't just done their jobs well--they've gone above and beyond and helped a resident feel special. I'm deeply proud of our staff and love working with such caring, kind, and professional people.

The speech felt especially relevant this week as we celebrate the career of Chief Dawn Layman, who announced her retirement later this year after 32 years of service to the City. Chief Layman embodies what unreasonable hospitality can look like in public service by constantly going the extra mile for her team, for residents, and for our community. Her leadership has set a standard for our Police Department that will last years beyond her departure.

Chief Layman will be deeply missed, but I'm excited for her next chapter, and confident in the strong foundation she helped build over more than three decades of service to Lenexa.

Chief of Police Dawn Layman has announced her intent to retire in December 2025 after a distinguished 32-year career with the Lenexa Police Department. Chief Layman began her career as a patrol officer and worked up the ranks to become Chief in 2020. Chief Layman has accepted the Chief of Police position for the Breckenridge, Colorado Police Department. For more info on Chief Layman's retirement, visit bit.ly/49y8HMe

A huge thanks to each and every organization and individual who have supported this campaign, some from as far back as June. I'm proud to be powered almost entirely by neighbors, local businesses, and community organizations who care about keeping Lenexa steady, responsible, and strong.

(Not listed: the Victory Fund and KC Regional Association of REALTORS have endorsed me as well!)

Mailers, walk cards, yard signs, and more all add up: If you're curious about where support comes from in local elections, and where your candidates spend their money, campaign finance reports are public documents and available for anyone to read here: https://voter.jocoelection.org/CampaignReportsDisc. You never know what surprises you might find!

Having a blast texting Lenexans this weekend while they're making their choice for this race! Thousands of texts sent, hundreds of replies with questions, priorities, and concerns about our city.

One that's been coming up a lot has been the subject of some misinformation, so let's set some things straight.

Below is Lenexa's Future Land Use Map, approved with our Comprehensive Plan in 2024. See all the gold and light yellow in central and western Lenexa? That's hundreds and hundreds of acres yet to be developed for... Suburban- and even lower-density housing. For a comparison on what that might look like, check the map for where you live.

That's right. There's only so many spots we have ever designated as acceptable for apartments. So why are we seeing so many projects for them? The simple answer is: the market.

The Kansas City Homebuilder's Association has some awesome resources, and one breaks the cost of a new home into 5 L's: Lumber, Labor, Land, Lending, and Laws. The city only controls the last L--and with hundreds of lots ready for permits to be pulled, it seems like the first 4 are standing in the way. Banks are giving better rates for multifamily projects, so the spots we would allow them are getting filled in fast.

What happens when we run out of spots designated for density?
You'll hear a lot less about apartments and hear more about how we work with KCHBA, other communities, and our own residents to shape the last of our land for generations to come. While I hope that includes more "missing middle" like townhomes, rowhomes, or others, I draw the line at density where it doesn't make sense.

Don't be fooled by sky-is-falling rhetoric. The city has accounted for future single family housing for decades, but we can't force the market to move faster than it does.

Full map here:https://www.lenexa.com/files/sharedassets/city/v/3/business-development/planning/documents/future-land-use-map.pdf

Happy Friday night, Lenexa!

Early voting starts TOMORROW, and the Johnson County Post has been sharing candidate questions and answers each day this week. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read through them now that all five are posted. It's one of the best ways to learn about each of us, as well as where we stand on key issues affecting Lenexa and Johnson County, including taxes, housing, public safety, and more.

I've appreciated the chance to share my perspective (under 250 words) on topics like growth, housing, public safety, and how we keep delivering great city services without losing sight of long-term responsibility.

To learn more about the questions and where candidates stand, you can start at the link below; each question has its own link toward the bottom of the webpage.

2025 Lenexa city council election primer | Johnson County Post There are three contested races for Lenexa City Council seats this year, as well as a fourth uncontested race. You can read the candidates' responses t ...

With just 2 days before early voting, I wanted to take the opportunity to re-share the Johnson County Post's Lenexa City Council Forum!

I had a blast at this, talking about Lenexa's future alongside other passionate candidates. Whether you live in Ward 1 or elsewhere in the city, this is a great way to get to know everyone on the ballot and hear how we each approach issues that impact all of us in the community.

If you have friends or neighbors in Lenexa, please share this video with them--whether on your own page or over a message! Person-to-person contact is one of the only ways to drive engagement, and municipal races need more voters and voices.

In the meantime, you can count on me to remain the steady, engaged, and frankly sometimes nerdy candidate (see about 1 hour, 9 minutes in for evidence) who does the homework, asks the hard questions, and works every day for a Lenexa we can all stay proud of.

(Fun fact: The forum happened to fall on my wedding anniversary, making an already-memorable night even more special!)

Lenexa City Council Forum Lenexa City Council candidates participated in a forum hosted by the Johnson County Post on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

When I took the oath to serve Lenexa, I promised to do so with authenticity, integrity, and care. That moment, and this photo, still mean a lot to me.

Serving on City Council means making tough calls. Sometimes they’re not the easy ones or the ones that make everyone happy—but they’re the right ones for Lenexa. And that’s what matters most.

I’m proud to run this campaign the same way I try to live my life: honestly, respectfully, and without divisiveness. Those things don’t build stronger communities; they tear them apart.

We’re now less than two weeks from Election Day, and I’ll be sharing more thoughts about my priorities and endorsements here as we head into the final stretch. Thank you to everyone who’s shown such kindness and encouragement along the way. Thanks as well to the folks I've met at the door or in front of their garage. It's been amazing to meet hundreds of folks across the city who share the same feeling: we Like Lenexa.

(Photo Credit: Johnson County Post / Leah Wankum)

Want to get to know your candidates before voting? Check out VoteJoCo.com, where the Johnson County Public Policy Council hosts detailed candidate surveys and video forums.

Take a few minutes to visit VoteJoCo.com and see where candidates stand. It’s one of the best ways to make an informed decision this election.

Candidate profiles and surveys: https://votejoco.com/candidate-profiles/

Home / forum page: https://votejoco.com/

VoteJoCo.Com | votejoco.com VOTE JOCO Helping you make informed decisions in Johnson County Elections.   Register to Vote Important Dates for 2025 Elections  October 14, 2025 Voter Registration Deadline for General Election  October 27, 2025 Advanced Mail Ballots Due Learn more  October 25, 2025 In-Person Advance Vot...

A huge thanks to Kyle Palmer and the Johnson County Post for moderating an evening of conversation with my fellow candidates (and another thanks to the Johnson County Library - KS at City Center for hosting)!

When Lenexa looks forward and sets a plan--even with flexibility--we set ourselves up for success. We've seen it time and time again, from Vision 2020 and Vision 2040 to our master Parks Plan and Comprehensive Plan. We are known for planning the work--then working the plan. As growth in our region accelerates, having those guiding principles and documents as our North Stars keeps us on track for a city we can continue to be proud of.

WATCH: The Post's Lenexa City Council candidate forum All six candidates vying for three contested Lenexa City Council seats attended a forum Wednesday hosted by the Post and took questions from the audience.

Steady. Measured. Thoughtful.

Lenexa's strength comes from doing what we say we will: maintaining strong infrastructure, following clear plans, and keeping our city an attractive place for both established and new businesses. Our residents get tremendous value for our taxes, and we've continued to lower the property tax mill levy while preserving the high-quality services that make Lenexa stand out.

I'm proud to lead with facts, not fear--and to keep working for a city that plans ahead and delivers on its promises.

Thank you to the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce for hosting a great forum and a chance for residents to hear directly from us.

The next forum will be hosted by the Johnson County Post on Wednesday, October 8th at 6 p.m. at City Center Library; I hope to see you there!

2025 Lenexa City Council Ward 1 Candidate Forum This recorded public forum, hosted by the Johnson County Public Policy Council, includes the following general election candidates:Joe ShullJohn Michael Hand...