A third candidate has entered the race for the District 4 seat on the Sedgwick County Commission.
Lacey Cruse is a Wichita activist and hospice consultant. She says this year’s Women’s March — which she helped organize — inspired her to campaign for political office for the first time.
“We just kind of decided we can’t let this energy fizzle," she says. "We need to redirect it and keep it alive."
Cruse says she's advocating for accountability and transparency in government.
"Let’s understand where our money’s going," she says. "Let’s be smart with how we’re spending it, and let’s put programs in place that propel our county forward.”
She says she also wants to see more emphasis on mental health services, like the county's Comcare program.
Cruse is in the process of gathering more than 500 signatures to get on the ballot. So far, she’s the only Democrat in the race. Current Commissioner Richard Ranzau will face retired businessman Hugh Nicks in the Republican primary on Aug. 7.
The 4th District covers central Wichita, as well as Maize, Valley Center and Sedgwick.
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