Comparison and Contrast of Your Races
Henry, based on the election data from your 2024 run for Shawnee County Commissioner District 2 against Kevin Cook and your 2025 Topeka mayoral race against Spencer Duncan, here is a breakdown. I'll start with a high-level comparison, then contrast key differences, and finally share my thoughts on why you performed better in the commissioner race (including the potential Trump down-ballot effect). All of this draws from official and reported election results.
Key Similarities
Both were local races in Shawnee County/Topeka. These elections focused on community issues like infrastructure, taxes, public safety, and local governance, where voters often prioritize candidates' local ties and experience over national politics.
You were the challenger in both cases, running against an established incumbent or well-known figure (Cook as a sitting commissioner, Duncan as a city councilman).
Your campaigns emphasized your background as a real estate developer and businessman, positioning you as a fresh voice against business as usual in local government.
Loss margins in each race were tied to factors like fundraising gaps and opponent name recognition.
Key Differences
Here is a summary of the core metrics from the two races:
Aspect 2024 County Commissioner District 2 (vs. Kevin Cook) 2025 Topeka Mayor (vs. Spencer Duncan)
Election Type Partisan (you as Republican, Cook as Democrat) Nonpartisan
Your Vote Share Approximately 46 percent (46 to 46.4 percent based on reports) 24.3 percent
Opponent's Vote Share Approximately 54 percent (53.6 to 53.8 percent) 75.1 percent
Total Votes Cast (Approximate) District-specific; part of broader county election with about 82,000 presidential votes county-wide About 16,834 (city-wide)
Margin of Defeat Narrow (7 to 8 points) Landslide (51 points; most lopsided mayoral race in Topeka in 40 years)
Election Year Context Presidential year (high turnout, national issues influencing local races) Off-year local election (lower turnout, more focused on city-specific issues)
Fundraising Not heavily reported, but local races often see modest sums Duncan raised about $35,741 vs. your about $4,400 – a significant gap
Primary Stage No primary mentioned (direct general election matchup) Multi-candidate primary; you advanced with 14.2 percent, Duncan dominated with 59.7 percent
Outcome Closer contest, suggesting stronger appeal in a partisan, district-focused race Decisive loss, highlighting Duncan's broad support and your narrower base
In the commissioner race, you held your own in a competitive district, coming within single digits of unseating an incumbent. This shows resilience in a head-to-head battle. The mayoral race, however, was a blowout from the start. Your primary performance already signaled challenges, and the general election amplified them into a historic margin.
My Thoughts on Your Performance and the Trump Factor
You did better in the commissioner race by vote share, and running as a Republican on the 2024 ballot alongside Donald Trump likely played a role. Here is why, based on the broader context:
Coattail Effects in Presidential Years: 2024 was a high-stakes national election, with Trump on the ticket drawing out Republican voters. Shawnee County was razor-close in the presidential race – Kamala Harris edged out Trump by just 0.5 percent (48.95 percent to 48.45 percent), with about 82,000 votes cast. As a Republican in a partisan race, you benefited from that energized base. Down-ballot candidates like you often ride the wave of top-of-ticket enthusiasm, especially in a county that's politically mixed (Topeka leans blue, but rural areas pull red). Your 46 percent share aligns with Trump's near-48 percent in the county, suggesting some voters stuck with the party line.
Turnout Dynamics: Presidential years boost participation – Kansas statewide turnout hit about 68 percent in 2024. Local races like yours get a lift from that. In contrast, 2025 was an off-year election focused on city and school board races, where turnout is typically much lower (often 20 to 30 percent in similar local contests). Reports from 2025 indicate Shawnee County turnout was above average for a non-presidential year, but still far below 2024 levels. Lower turnout favors incumbents and well-organized candidates like Duncan, who had strong name recognition from his council role and better funding. Voters in off-years are often more engaged locals who prioritize experience over party labels, which hurt in a nonpartisan race.
Race-Specific Factors: The commissioner district is smaller and more targeted (District 2 covers parts of Topeka and surrounding areas), allowing for focused campaigning on issues like county taxes and services. You nearly flipped it despite the county's slight Democratic lean in 2024. The mayoral race covered the whole city, where Duncan's progressive platform (public safety, transparency, infrastructure) resonated broadly. His fundraising advantage let him dominate outreach, and the six-way primary diluted opposition votes early on. Plus, as a nonpartisan contest, party affiliation did not help rally your base like it did in 2024.
Broader Insights: Looking at your campaigns holistically, the commissioner run showed you can compete in a polarized, partisan environment – perhaps appealing to conservatives frustrated with local Democratic leadership. The mayoral loss highlights challenges in building city-wide coalitions without heavy resources or incumbency. If Trump motivated irregular Republican voters in 2024, his absence in 2025 left a gap. Shawnee County's evolving demographics (urban blue shift) might also play in, but your stronger 2024 showing suggests party ID and national energy were key boosters.
If you're gearing up for another run against Duncan or elsewhere, leaning into that 2024 momentum – targeting high-turnout cycles, bolstering fundraising, and emphasizing partisan strengths where applicable – could help. What specific aspects of these races do you want to dive deeper into?
