The election is required to be non-partisan, but most candidates are known to be affiliated with political parties.

Incumbent Democratic mayor Brandon Whipple unsuccessfully ran for re-election to a second term, losing to registered Libertarian candidate Lily Wu.

[1] Former TV news anchor Lily Wu finished first in the primary election, with Whipple narrowly defeating Republican city councilor Brian Frye to secure the second spot in the general election.

Wu was backed by numerous prominent Republicans in the general election, including former U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Representative Mike Pompeo.

Wu defeated Whipple by a wide margin and became the first Asian-American and second female mayor in Wichita history.