A day after Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson announced he will not be seeking a third term this year, the first candidate to succeed him has thrown his hat in the ring.
Prairie Village Councilmember Cole Robinson told the Post he plans to file to run for mayor.
Robinson just began his second term as a Ward 1 councilmember after winning reelection in November.
For the past several years, Robinson’s votes have largely aligned with Mikkelson’s takes on key issues, namely the support for the city’s $30 million municipal complex project.
Robinson said he plans to continue in Mikkelson’s footsteps in terms of engaging with the community.
“I’m grateful for Mayor Mikkelson’s dedication and service over the last 12-plus years,” Robinson said in a statement to the Post. “During that time, the city has added new, world-class parks, modernized our city’s core infrastructure and facilities, fully funded and staffed our Police Department, and reduced the mil levy on two separate occasions — all while maintaining the city’s AAA bond rating.”
“Additionally, he (Mikkelson) has been a constant, visible presence in our community and set a standard of engagement I intend to uphold,” Robinson said.
For his part, Mikkelson told the Post in a texted statement on Thursday morning that learning Robinson would run if he did not run himself “made (his) decision easier.”
If Robinson is elected as mayor, Mikkelson said, he believes Prairie Village “would continue its exceptionalism and steady progress in good hands.”
“Cole is tested, cool under pressure, and respected by colleagues and staff,” Mikkelson said. “He is emerging as a skilled, consensus-building public servant with deep roots in, and devotion to, Prairie Village.”
Robinson “promises a stable, steady hand”
A third-generation Prairie Villager, Robinson recalls walking to Tomahawk Elementary and playing baseball games at Porter Park as a child.
Robinson graduated from Shawnee Mission East and the University of Kansas before living and working in Europe and Asia as a professional poker player, and then a trader in financial markets.
In 2016, Robinson and his wife, Danielle Robinson, decided to move their family back to the United States, and more specifically, Prairie Village.
Since he returned to the U.S., Robinson has worked in community and local politics, spearheading the campaigns of top elected officials like Johnson County Chair Mike Kelly, Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog and Lenexa Mayor Julie Sayers. He also had a hand in Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids’ initial election campaign in 2018.
Robinson said his appreciation for the city started as a Prairie Village native, but it has grown as a father of four.
Now, Robinson said he finds himself with “a strong sense of responsibility toward our city’s future.”
“I want to ensure that the next generation of Prairie Village families enjoyed the same safe, vibrant, well-run city that was an integral part of my childhood.”
As mayor, he “promises a stable, steady hand.”
His priorities include public safety, continued investment in city infrastructure and safety, and transparency and accountability.
He ran against changing PV’s government in 2025
Among other priorities like investing in the city’s infrastructure through a $30 million city hall project, in his bid for a second city council term, Robinson ran against an effort to change Prairie Village’s city government.
Robinson opposed the 2025 ballot measure that called to “abandon” Prairie Village’s form of government. That measure failed after 65% of voters rejected it.
In a 2025 Post candidate questionnaire, Robinson said that Prairie Village is “one of the best, safest, most well-run communities in America” with, at that time, 74 years of success under its belt.
Robinson won his re-election with 63% of the vote in November, alongside five other candidates who also opposed the “abandon” effort and supported the $30 million city hall and police department project.
“The results from last year’s election speak for themselves,” Robinson said in a Thursday statement. “Residents want us to stop the drama and work together to make sure Prairie Village continues to be the great community we all love.”
The election is this November
- The mayoral race is this November.
- Robinson appears to be the first person to announce his bid for Prairie Village mayor.
Keep reading elections news: County says Prairie Village man paid for recount of ‘abandon’ vote
