Community activist Aujanae Bennett has filed to run for the District 1 seat on the Wichita City Council. The seat, which represents central northeast Wichita, is currently held by Councilman Brandon Johnson, who can not seek reelection due to term limits.

Bennett is the third candidate to enter the race. Previously announced candidates are Joseph Shepard and LaWanda DeShazer.

Bennett, who has served as president of the Northeast Millair Neighborhood Association for eight years, came to the greater community’s attention three years ago when she sounded the alarm about the toxic spill that had contaminated much of the groundwater in her neighborhood.

“If I hadn’t been at that meeting as a president of an association, we still wouldn’t know,” said Bennett about the spill the Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment knew about in 1994, but failed to engage the community around.

Bennett didn’t just hear the information, she acted on it. She’s spent the past three years actively fighting to bring attention to the spill, get it cleaned up and to get those impacted by the spill tested for related cancers.

It’s a role that’s landed her on a number of related boards and commissions, including one appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly.

Through roles like this, she says she feels God pushing her to serve. That’s why she decided to run.

Her platform includes improving the quality of life for people in the community. She wants to see transparency in the community and sustainable situations and solutions for mental health and affordable housing.

Bennett, 61, is a Wichita native. She owns and operates an insurance brokerage company and previously owned and operated a daycare for 12 years.

If a fourth candidate enters the race, there will be a primary on Aug. 4. The general election is Nov. 4.