The Mayor’s Role: Salesman, Cheerleader, and Coalition Builder

Title: Why Topeka Needs a Mayor Who Sells Our City: The Power of Political Leadership in a Council-Manager Government

By Henry McClure, MCRE, LLC – Topeka Real Estate Broker & Advocate for Economic Growth

In Topeka’s council-manager form of government, the city manager handles day-to-day operations, budgets, and administration with professional expertise. That structure has its strengths in reducing patronage and ensuring competent execution. But as we’ve discussed before, it still demands strong political leadership from the elected mayor to set vision, rally support, and act as the city’s chief salesman for economic development.

A proactive mayor should function like a “majority whip” — building coalitions on the council, championing pro-growth policies, and relentlessly promoting Topeka to attract businesses, investment, and jobs. Sales tax growth is the lifeblood of local revenue for infrastructure, services, and quality-of-life improvements. Every new retailer, restaurant, hotel, or development that brings customers through our doors expands that base without raising property taxes on existing residents.

Unfortunately, recent examples show where this leadership has fallen short.

The Maverik Opportunity: A Missed Chance for Sales Tax Growth

Consider the proposed Maverik fueling station and convenience store at SW 6th Avenue and Fairlawn Road. This project represented a significant economic development opportunity — a modern truck stop and retail hub off I-70 that could generate substantial new sales tax revenue, create jobs, and signal to other businesses that Topeka is open for investment.

Councilmember Dave Banks appeared ready to support practical development and get the votes aligned. Yet Mayor Spencer Duncan and the broader leadership failed to aggressively rally behind it. Instead of treating Dave Banks (or any pro-development council voice) as a key ally and working the council like a whip to secure approval, the project faced delays, opposition, and ultimately rejection or significant hurdles.

This is precisely the kind of moment where a strong mayor should step up: personally engaging stakeholders, highlighting the sales tax benefits, addressing neighborhood concerns constructively (traffic, infrastructure), and closing the deal. Maverik stores are known for clean, efficient operations and drawing travelers — exactly the kind of incremental growth Topeka needs. By not championing it more forcefully, we let potential revenue, jobs, and momentum slip away.

The Mayor’s Role: Salesman, Cheerleader, and Coalition Builder

In council-manager cities that thrive (Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas), mayors don’t micromanage operations — they sell the vision externally and build internal consensus. Topeka’s mayor should:

• Court businesses daily with site-ready proposals and incentive packages.
• Whip votes for CIDs, TIFs, zoning reforms, and infrastructure that unlock development.
• Prioritize anything that grows the sales tax base — retail, hospitality, mixed-use projects.
• Partner closely with council allies like Dave Banks who understand development realities.

Our city manager excels at execution when given clear direction. But without mayoral energy driving the agenda, we risk bureaucratic inertia while neighboring communities steal opportunities.

Topeka has the location, workforce potential, and assets to grow. What we need is consistent political leadership laser-focused on economic development. As someone who has spent decades brokering deals across the country and advocating for smarter local policies, I believe refocusing the mayor’s office on this salesman/whip role is essential for putting Shawnee County first.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s push our leaders to prioritize growth that benefits all Topekans.

Henry McClure is a licensed Kansas real estate broker with 45+ years of experience and founder of MCRE, LLC.