Two candidates for the Ward 1 seat for Lenexa City Council got the votes needed to advance to the general election in November.
In Johnson County’s only primary election on Tuesday, voters from Ward 1 selected incumbent John Michael Handley and challenger Joe Shull to move forward in the election.
Ward 1 generally covers the northern portion of Lenexa from the city’s northwest corner to just past Interstate 435. A city ward map can be found here.
Handley was selected with a 611 votes, and Shull was selected with about 347 votes. A third challenger, Trevor Keegan, was eliminated with 111 votes.
Handley was appointed to the Ward 1 seat in January, following the death of longtime councilmember Joe Karlin. Handley previously served for years on the Lenexa Planning Commission.
The candidates come from different backgrounds
While both candidates graduated from the University of Kansas, they come from different backgrounds.
An Onaga, Kansas, native, Handley moved to Lenexa with his husband in 2019. With a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a master’s in civil engineering from the University of Kansas, Handley said in a previous interview that he wanted to put that education to good use as part of the planning commission. He was appointed to the position in 2020.
A longtime Lenexa resident, Shull earned his undergraduate and law degree from KU. After graduating, he co-founded the law firm Shull & Klenda, LLC, where he also serves as an attorney.
Growth, development big issues for both candidates
Both candidates view Lenexa’s growth in terms of population and housing as the biggest issue facing the city.
Vocally against more high-density developments, Shull told the Post he will make that a focus of his campaign.
“I think people are getting sick of rubber stamping these apartment developments. I’ve made it clear to my constituents and potential voters that I am anti-high density apartment development, and I think that’s resonating with folks,” he said.
Aiming for development that keep Lenexa’s character intact, Handley told the Post he wants to make thoughtful decisions when it comes to housing.
“We owe it to both current and future residents to guide development responsibly–ensuring it aligns with Lenexa’s comprehensive plan and long-term vision. “That means making thoughtful decisions about where and how we grow,” he said in a previous interview.
Both candidates are “excited” to move forward
Following the results of Tuesday’s election, both candidates said they were proud to have the support of Lenexa voters.
“I’m excited to advance to the general (election) and take one step closer to continuing to serve Lenexans for four years,” Handley said, following Tuesday’s Lenexa City Council meering. “I’ve already gotten to do that for five (years) and so, the opportunity to effectively double that is very exciting.”
Congratulating his opponents, Shull said he was excited to move on to the general election and to get out and meet Lenexans where they live.
“I’m looking forward to getting my steps in, that’s for certain, meeting fellow Lenexans and also, hearing what they want, what they want to see on the city council, see the changes that they’d like to be made,” he said.
Our past report on the primary race: Meet the 3 candidates running in a primary for Lenexa City Council
