Longtime community advocate, journalist and business owner Bonita Gooch has entered the race for Kansas House District 84, setting up a Democratic primary contest against incumbent Rep. Ford Carr.
Gooch filed shortly before Monday’s deadline, saying her decision came after months of encouragement from community members who urged her to bring her decades of advocacy and leadership into elected office.
“I didn’t arrive at this decision lightly,” Gooch said. “But this is a time when people are looking for leadership they can trust, leadership that listens, and leadership that can bring people together to move our community forward.”
Gooch is well known throughout Wichita and Kansas as the publisher and owner of The Community Voice, which has served communities across the state for nearly three decades. Through her work as a journalist, business owner and community leader, she has advocated for greater economic opportunity, improved healthcare access, stronger neighborhoods, educational achievement and civic engagement.
A Wichita native, Gooch comes from a family with a long history of public service and civic involvement. Her father, the late U.L. Gooch, was a respected businessman, community leader and elected official whose work helped shape generations of leadership in Wichita. Gooch has also built a reputation of her own through decades of community involvement, journalism and civic engagement.
Gooch said her campaign is rooted in the belief that public service begins with accountability, integrity and trust.
“People deserve representatives who are accessible, responsive and focused on results,” she said. “For nearly 30 years, I’ve had a front-row seat to government at every level. I’ve covered public policy, interviewed elected officials, followed the issues that matter most to families, and listened to the concerns of residents throughout our community. Those experiences have prepared me to serve.”
District 84 covers much of northeast Wichita and includes neighborhoods where Gooch has spent decades reporting on issues affecting residents and advocating for solutions through her journalism and community involvement.
Carr was appointed to the seat in September 2022 following the death of longtime Rep. Gail Finney and subsequently won election to the position without opposition in both 2022 and 2024. During the 2025 legislative session, Carr was the subject of a House disciplinary investigation that generated statewide attention. The matter ended without lawmakers reaching consensus on more serious sanctions.
Gooch said voters are looking for thoughtful leadership that can build relationships, earn trust and effectively advocate for the district in Topeka.
“For years, I’ve helped tell our community’s stories, highlight challenges and celebrate successes,” she said. “Serving in the Legislature is an opportunity to take that work a step further. I’ve spent decades informing, connecting and advocating for people. I believe those experiences have prepared me to represent District 84 with integrity, accountability and a deep understanding of the issues facing our community. This isn’t a new direction for me. It’s the next step in a lifetime of service and advocacy.”
The August Democratic primary will give District 84 voters their first contested race for the seat in years and offer residents a choice between the incumbent and a candidate whose career has been dedicated to informing, engaging and advocating for the community.
