Mayor of Topeka, Kansas facts for kids

A mayor is an important leader in a city or town. They are like the chief executive officer, helping to manage the city's daily operations and make big decisions. The mayor works with the city council to make sure the city runs smoothly, from public safety to parks and roads.

Topeka, Kansas, has had many mayors since it was founded. These leaders have helped shape the city over the years.

Quick facts for kids Mayor of Topeka
Incumbent Mike Padilla since January 4, 2022
Inaugural holder	Loring Farnsworth
Formation	19th Century

What Does a Mayor Do?

A mayor is the head of the city government. They are elected by the people who live in the city. The mayor's job is to lead the city, make sure laws are followed, and work on plans for the future. They often represent the city at events and meetings.

How Mayors Help the City

Mayors work on many different things to improve life in their city. This can include:

• Making sure there are good public services like police and fire departments.
• Working on projects to build new roads or improve parks.
• Helping businesses grow and create jobs.
• Listening to the people of the city and addressing their concerns.

History of Topeka's Mayors

The city of Topeka has had mayors since the 19th century. The first mayor was Loring Farnsworth, who started his term in 1858. Since then, many different people have served in this important role. Each mayor has contributed to the city's growth and development in their own way.

Notable Mayors of Topeka

Over the years, some mayors have served multiple terms or are well-known for their contributions. For example, Cyrus K. Holliday served as mayor several times in the early years of Topeka. He was also a very important person in building the Santa Fe Railway.

Roswell L. Cofran also served multiple times, including in the early 1900s. More recently, Butch Felker served as mayor for many years across two different periods.

The Current Mayor

As of 2025, the current mayor of Topeka is Mike Padilla. He began his term on January 4, 2022. Mayor Padilla continues the long tradition of leadership in Topeka, working to guide the city into the future.

See also

• List of people from Topeka, Kansas
• Timeline of Topeka, Kansas

Images for kids

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  Cyrus K. Holliday

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  Josiah B. McAfee

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  Roswell L. Cofran

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  Butch Felker

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  Bill Bunten

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  Michelle De La Isla