Suzanne Wikle

Suzanne Wikle was born in Kansas City, Missouri. She earned a high school diploma from Shawnee Mission North High School, a bachelor's degree from the Washington University in St. Louis, and a graduate degree from the University of Kansas in 2006. Wikle's career experience includes working as a policy director and policy analyst. As of 2024 Wikle was affiliated with the Community Children's Center and Alliance for a Healthy Kansas.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a mom, social worker, and dedicated advocate for policies that advance economic, health, and racial justice. As a fifth generation Kansan I believe maintaining strong public schools and infrastructure is critical. I also believe we need to push for a fairer tax system, affordable health care for all Kansans, and greater public investment in our youngest residents through child care and early education policies.

I have more than 16 years experience working on issues that make a difference for children and families. I am an expert on health and human services issues, including Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and nutrition assistance. For the past nine years I have been working with advocates across the country to help them identify policy changes to improve families’ economic security. I also spent seven years at Kansas Action for Children, an advocacy group working to make Kansas the best state in the nation to be and raise a child. I led many successful legislative victories, including an expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (part of KanCare), improved screening for newborns to identify genetic abnormalities, and updated licensing standards for child care providers.

My focus on state level advocacy and policy making throughout her career has prepared me to be a strong voice for Lawrence families in Topeka.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordable and accessible health care. This includes getting Medicaid expansion over the finish line and ensuring abortion and other reproductive health care remains accessible. I also include common sense gun laws in the health bucket because gun violence is a public health issue. I have the Gun Sense Candidate Distinction from Moms Demand Action.Fully supporting education systems. This involves increasing public investments in child care and early education, fully funding K-12 (including special education), and supporting higher education. Supporting education systems is a priority of mine for the education and well-being of children and young adults, and also because USD 497 and KU are two of the largest employers in our community. Beyond funding, I will advocate that legislators trust teachers and push back against efforts to micromanage the classrooms or schools. I was recently endorsed by Kansas NEA for the primary election.Relieving economic stress on Kansans. This involves things I’ve already mentioned, like Medicaid expansion and helping families afford child care and higher education. This also means shoring up our safety-net system, supporting workers and unions, restructuring our tax system so that the wealthiest pay their fair share and property taxes are less of a burden for our seniors, strengthening KPERs, and taking steps to increase affordable housing.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Children and family issues, health care, responsible fiscal policy, and care giving.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Elected officials should be honest, accountable and transparent. It is also important for elected officials to have life experience and empathy as well as be good listeners.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm a hardworking mother of two children with over a decade of policy experience. I will bring valuable lived experience and policy experience to the role.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of someone elected to office is to serve the people of your district. Central to serving the people of your district is listening to their concerns, researching policies and solutions, and advocating for policies to improve the quality of life of people living in the district.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to work to improve Kansas and to leave a state that my kids can thrive in and that we're proud to live in. I want to advance policies and programs that improve life for all Kansans.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Bluey.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

We make progress at the speed that we build trust. Therefore, it is important for legislators to build relationships with other legislators, the Governor and their administration, stakeholder groups and constituents.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

KNEA - Kansas National Educators Association and Mom's Demand Action

What committees interest you?

Health and Human Services; Federal and State Affairs Committee, Social Service Budget, Taxation, and Appropriations

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are important principles and I am an advocate for both.