Latest news with #GabrielKillman
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
27 News speaks with 22-year-old Topeka mayoral candidate Gabriel Killman
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Gabriel Killman joined the 27 News morning newscast to discuss his campaign for Topeka Mayor on Wednesday. The 22-year-old filed for the mayoral race on April 22. Killman talked to 27 News about what sparked his interest in running for mayor. 'Just looking at the local news,' Killman said. 'Just seeing what's going on here in Topeka really motivated me to kind of get out there and start talking to people and understand what's happening. And the more I learned, the more I realized that an honest person running for mayor could get a lot done.' Killman told 27 News what he would like to focus on changing if elected. Topeka bank robbery, deadly shooting connected 'I definitely think one of the major ones would be the sidewalks,' Killman told us. 'I mean, it's city-owned, but it cuts to your property. You can't do anything with it, but you still have to pay almost full price. I see that the city does 50, 50 some times, but I just think it's a little crazy, that's something you can't change.' 27 News asked Killman about running for mayor at the age of 22, and how that might help his campaign. 'One of the biggest things is social media outreach,' Killman said. 'I know how to talk to younger generations. I know how to talk to Gen Z, get them out and voting. Even if it's not for me. I just want people getting out and voting. It's a very important thing that a lot of people don't realize or just look over every year.' New $60 million Topeka apartment community set to open in 2027 To hear more about what Killman has to say, you can watch the interview above. 27 News is working for you to keep a close eye on who's running for mayor so every candidate can have equal opportunity for on-air time. We will be reaching out to others who file to be a mayoral candidate. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A fourth candidate for mayor has entered the race. Now there will be a primary
A fourth Topeka mayoral candidate has entered the race, which will now require a primary election. Topeka cabinet worker Gabriel Killman, 22, has filed to run for mayor. "Growing up in Topeka, when you're going through high school, the main goal for most people is to move out of Topeka," Killman said. "They go to college, get a job somewhere else, and not stay here. They're worried about getting stuck here or living here most of their life, and it's kind of sad to see. So, I definitely want to bring enjoyment back to Topeka." Killman is a born and raised Topekan, arm wrestling enthusiast and the youngest mayoral candidate Topeka has ever seen. He said he gained his interest in politics from long talks with his father growing up. "I've definitely tried to become more partisan in all of my ideas, but it's just something me and him connected to when I was younger, and it's something that's always kind of stuck with me," Killman said. "Then seeing how politics can actually affect people's day-to-day lives, especially in local politics." While he hasn't had much experience in city government because of his age, Killman said it gives him a way to appeal to younger residents while still getting along with older Topekans. "I'm up to date on current events because I am on social media," Killman said. "I know how to connect with the younger generations and the older generations. I'm energetic. I love to be out there." Currently, Michael Padilla serves as Topeka's mayor. However, he announced in February that he would not seek a reelection. Since then, three other candidates have announced they're running: City Council member Spencer Duncan, local medical professional Chad Fay and local property developer Henry McClure. Killman said he wants the city to better communicate with the public and be more accessible. "There's so much you could improve on (in Topeka)," Killman said. "First, would probably be community outreach. I'd want members in the community to know what's going on here. Looking up things for being mayor was very difficult. It's hard to find local information." Killman went on to say that with more open communication, it would lead to better voter registration and community participation. He said Topeka's second main issue is a lack of term limits. "Probably my second biggest issue would be term limits," Killman said. "I would definitely like for the City Council and the mayor both to have term limits. It keeps people honest. It keeps people working on time and on a schedule. I think it levels the playing field. I think candidates that have been in for four terms would be much easier to get fifth term than somebody who's new and running, just because people are comfortable with that. I'd like it to be easier." Killman said road conditions are a main issue in Topeka. "Most people can just tell by driving day to day that the roads aren't that good," Killman said. "(You're) hitting potholes and messing with your suspension." He said he'd like to be more efficient with road repairs. "Getting the City of Topeka fixing roads quicker, and maybe spreading out the jobs you're doing instead of just one area, where people have to take massive detours," Killman said. Killman went on to say he also would like Topeka to take more responsibility for sidewalk repair. Currently, Topeka offers to pay half of the repair costs for sidewalks on people's properties. "It's a city-owned sidewalk," Killman said. "You can't change it. You can't get rid of it. You had no choice in it being there. It can be very expensive to fix, and you can be held viable for something you don't own. I'd like for that cost to brought back to the city, to save homeowners." Killman said Topekan's should vote for him "I think the community of Topeka should vote for me because I will make things cleaner," Killman said. "I'll make things smoother. I'll get things done faster. I'll make us feel like a community again." This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: What Topeka issues does mayoral candidate Gabriel Killman want to fix?
