Jessica Maldonado
Jessica Maldonado is a lifelong Wichitan, community advocate, and single mother who believes every person deserves the opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive.
She spent her early childhood on Wichita’s south side, where she learned the value of hard work, resilience, and neighbors looking out for one another. From a young age, Jessica was drawn to government and public service. While other kids were watching cartoons, she was watching C-SPAN, curious about how decisions were made and how those decisions shaped people’s everyday lives.
That interest stayed with her. Throughout high school, Jessica competed in Debate, Forensics, and Student Congress, experiences that taught her how to research complex issues, communicate clearly, listen carefully, and engage respectfully with people who see things differently. Those lessons still shape the way she approaches public service today.
Jessica has carried that commitment into years of civic and community involvement. She served as Co-President of the League of Women Voters Wichita-Metro and on the League of Women Voters U.S. Advocacy and Litigation Committee. She also helped found the Wichita chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby and has volunteered with organizations including Wichita Clean Streams, 316 United, the Sierra Club’s Southwind Chapter, ICT Trees, ICT SOS, and several City of Wichita advisory boards.
Through that work, Jessica has often served as a bridge between residents, organizations, and decision-makers. She has listened to neighbors, helped connect people with resources, shared community concerns with leaders, and worked alongside volunteers who give their time simply because they want Wichita and Kansas to be better places to live.
Her commitment to public service is also deeply personal. Like many Kansas families, Jessica knows what it means to stretch every dollar, navigate complicated systems, and make difficult choices to keep a family moving forward. Those experiences have reinforced her belief that government should be easier to understand, easier to access, and more accountable to the people it serves.
Jessica believes individual effort matters, but she also understands that public policy shapes what is possible. The decisions made in Topeka can either remove barriers and create opportunity or make everyday life harder for families who are already working hard.
That is why she is running for the Kansas House. Jessica wants to help build a Kansas where working families can afford to live, students and teachers have the resources they need, communities are supported, government is transparent and responsive, and every Kansan has a meaningful voice in shaping our future.
Civic Leadership in Action
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran
Citizens’ Climate Lobby Visit — 2015
Jessica joined fellow Kansans with Citizens’ Climate Lobby for a meeting with Senator Moran’s office to advocate on climate and environmental issues.
Wichita Business Journal
Women Who Lead: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Featured for her leadership with the League of Women Voters Wichita-Metro.
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League of Women Voters Wichita-Metro
2024 Annual Meeting Report
Served as Co-President and co-authored the organization’s annual leadership report.
View the report →