Sarah McMillen, a Democrat, is running for Sedgwick County Commission District 1 in the Nov. 3 general election.

Republican Pete Meitzner also seeks the seat.

Asked why she is running, McMillen said in our questionnaire: "We are in an affordability crisis. 80% of USD 259 students are at risk or currently experiencing poverty. Over 2,000 Sedgwick Co households experienced homelessness for the first time last year … Yet we have only 24 low barrier beds. Programs that help keep people at home, provide for the homeless and those living in poverty, support schools and mental health programs, MUST be protected."

She added: "After saying, 'Someone should do something,' more times than I can count, I realized that I could no longer wait for someone else. It was my responsibility to step forward and advocate for the changes we need."

Candidate information

Party: "Democrat"

Education: "I attended Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina where I earned my BA in Psychology at 18. … I then went to California Baptist University in Riverside, CA. I earned an MS in Counseling Psychology and received an award for 'Most Outstanding Graduate Student'. I have completed PhD courses in Cognitive Neuroscience/Human Factors and Clinical Psychology, later completed my PsyD in Forensic Psychology at Eisner's Institute for Professional Studies."

Family: "I have been married to my husband, Greg, for 25 years. We met our freshman year of college at KWU. … We have 3 amazing adult children."

Occupation: "I own a psychotherapy clinic where we work with first responders, families, and individuals of all ages. We are a VA community care clinic and specialize in treating trauma. I have been a licensed therapist for over 25 yrs and am trained in domestic, civil, and restorative justice mediation."

Experience and public service

McMillen was a candidate for Wichita USD 259 school board, District 1, in 2025, according to the Wichita Eagle. She said she was appointed to the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board's Master's Level Psychology Advisory Committee in 2024 and has been reappointed.

Asked about accomplishments that qualify her, McMillen said: "I have navigated many different government systems, helped representatives understand legislation, find resources, and advocate for their constituents. I have worked as a mediator, addressing workplace conflicts on military installations as well as a mental health consultant. … I have been involved in many situations where I had to create programs for non-profits, write amicus briefs, fundraise, propose budgets, and operate within very limited budgets."

On the issues

Data centers: Asked about Sedgwick County's rules for data centers, McMillen said: "I believe there should be an extended moratorium and obtain a neutral review of regulations and impacts in other states. No NDAs or by-right approvals should be allowed." She said data centers "should be required to disclose type, size, owner, amount of water it will require, impact expected on water quality, expected cost on infrastructure, requirement to be closed-loop, and continued reports of water used. Setbacks should be 1,000ft from homes. … Tax incentives should not be used."

Budget and taxes: McMillen said: "I would focus on removing the bulk of the tax burden off of the residents, identify other sources as well as reassess how property valuations are decided. … If these large corporations had more of the tax responsibility, it would lower the overall cost to the individual."

Mental health and law enforcement: McMillen said: "Sedgwick County accounted for 22% of the beds used at state hospitals. Our jail is described as the largest mental health facility in the region." She said transitional programs would help: "Implementing these programs would reduce the need for law enforcement to serve as crisis therapists."

Key differences with opponent: McMillen said: "I want an extended moratorium on data centers instead of rushing to develop regulations that could harm our community. … I am against any pay raises for commissioners—especially when programs and jobs are being cut. I believe in protecting preventative programs."