Lily Wu is an American politician and former television news anchor serving as the 103rd mayor of Wichita, Kansas. She made history as the first Asian American mayor in the state of Kansas and the first woman elected to a full mayoral term in Wichita. Before her political career, Wu spent 12 years as an award-winning journalist at KAKE and KWCH television stations. Born in Guatemala to Chinese immigrant parents, she moved to Wichita as an eight-year-old and rose from an ESL student to one of the city’s most recognizable public figures.
Quick Wiki/Bio about Lily Wu
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Lily Wu |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | September 4, 1984 |
| Age | 41 years old (as of April 2026) |
| Place of birth | Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala |
| Current residence | Wichita, Kansas, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Chinese-American |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 5 in – 5 ft 7 in (165–170 cm) |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Marital status | Not publicly confirmed |
| Spouse | N/A |
| Children | None (pet dog Aspen, a Samoyed) |
| Alma mater | Wichita State University (BA), University of Hong Kong (MA) |
| Profession | Politician, Former Television News Anchor |
| Net worth | Estimated $500,000 – $1 million |
Who Is Lily Wu?
Lily Wu is the 103rd mayor of Wichita, Kansas, the largest city in the state. She was sworn into office on January 8, 2024, after winning the November 2023 mayoral election with 58% of the vote, defeating incumbent mayor Brandon Whipple.
Her election was historic on several fronts. She became the first Asian American to serve as a mayor anywhere in Kansas.
She is also the first woman elected to a full term as mayor of Wichita. Newsweek described her win as the Libertarian Party’s “biggest ever election win,” though the Libertarian Party of Kansas noted she was “a registered libertarian, but not a recognized candidate.”
Before entering politics, Wu built a well-known career in local television journalism. She spent nearly a decade reporting for KAKE News and later served as an anchor and multimedia reporter at KWCH 12 Eyewitness News. She is also a former beauty pageant titleholder, having won Miss Kansas United States in 2012.
Wu is a member of the Libertarian Party. She was previously registered as a Republican but changed her voter registration to Libertarian in 2022.
Is Lily Wu Married? Husband, Boyfriend, Dating History, and Relationship Status
Current Relationship Status
Lily Wu’s marital status and romantic relationships are not publicly confirmed as of April 2026. The mayor keeps her personal life private and has not made any public disclosures about a husband or partner.
Stephen Clark II
During her 2023 mayoral campaign, media reports revealed that Wu had been in a longtime relationship with Stephen Clark II, the son of prominent Wichita businessman and philanthropist Steve Clark.
The relationship became a topic of political debate when opponent Brandon Whipple accused Wu of covering stories about the Clark family’s philanthropy on KAKE and KWCH without disclosing her personal connection. Wu pledged she would abstain from any city decisions involving the Clark family if elected.
In her KSN questionnaire response during the campaign, Wu stated: “She is not married and loves her [dog] daughter.” Whether she and Clark II are still in a relationship has not been publicly confirmed.
Children
Lily Wu does not have children. She is the proud owner of a Samoyed dog named Aspen, whom she refers to as her “dog daughter.”
Lily Wu’s Family
Wu comes from a close-knit immigrant family. Her parents, Wing Wu (father) and Anna Wu (mother), are originally from China. They emigrated from mainland China to Guatemala, where Lily and her younger brother Carlos Wu were born.
The family of four immigrated to Wichita, Kansas, in April 1993, moving in with Lily’s grandfather in southwest Wichita. Her father works as a cook in south Wichita, and her mother is a hairstylist in west Wichita.
Wu has spoken publicly about the sacrifices her parents made. She credits them for instilling a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility in her from a young age. As the older sibling, she took on a leadership role early, helping her parents deal with language barriers and life in a new country.
Wu speaks three languages: English, Spanish, and Cantonese.
How Old Is Lily Wu? Age and Birthday
Lily Wu is 41 years old as of April 2026. She was born on September 4, 1984, in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala. Her zodiac sign is Virgo.
Wu was born to Chinese immigrant parents who had settled in Guatemala before starting a family. In April 1993, when she was eight years old, the Wu family moved to Wichita, Kansas, where they lived with her grandfather in southwest Wichita.
Lily Wu’s Height, Weight, and Body Measurements
Lily Wu’s exact height and weight are not publicly disclosed. The mayor keeps her physical measurements private.
Based on public appearances and photographs, she appears to stand approximately 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 7 inches (165–170 cm) tall with a slender build.
She has black hair and dark brown eyes. Wu’s other body measurements, including bra size, shoe size, and dress size, have not been made public.
Lily Wu’s Education Background
Wu’s educational path is one of the most notable aspects of her personal story. She arrived in Wichita at age eight speaking only Spanish and Cantonese.
She enrolled in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Lawrence Elementary School and later attended Rea Woodman Elementary and Truesdell Middle School.
At Truesdell, she met school psychologist Stephanie Sorensen, who encouraged her to apply for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Wichita East High School.
Wu was accepted and thrived in the program. As a student at East High, she also interned at KSN and worked with KTQW TV, where she won a first-place KAB award in Public Affairs in 2003.
Wu received the Harry Gore Memorial Scholarship, one of the most prestigious scholarships at Wichita State University.
As a Gore Scholar, she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2007 with two bachelor’s degrees: one in international business and another in integrated marketing communication.
She was the first member of her family to graduate from high school and attend college. Wu later earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Hong Kong while serving as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar.
Lily Wu’s Career
Early Career
After returning from Hong Kong in December 2008, Wu was one of 81 people selected from a pool of 1,200 applicants to join the Koch Associate Program.
She completed Market Based Management training in Washington, D.C., and then worked in Wichita on program coordination for Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas (YEK).
Television Journalism Career
Wu joined KAKE News in Wichita as a reporter in 2010. She worked there for nearly a decade, reporting on local stories and hosting the station’s morning show from August 2014 to September 2016. She left KAKE in December 2019.
In June 2020, she accepted a dual role at rival station KWCH-DT (CBS affiliate) as a co-anchor for the 4 p.m. newscast on KSCW and a weekday multimedia reporter.
At KWCH, she also produced a weekly business and employment feature called “Building You” and shared daily “Job of the Day” opportunities.
Wu resigned from KWCH in March 2023 to run for mayor of Wichita.
Beauty Pageant Career
Wu has a rich history in beauty pageants. She won the title of Miss Kansas Teen International in 2003 and Miss Kansas United States in 2012.
She represented Kansas at Miss United States 2012 and the USA at both Miss World University and Miss Chinese World.
In 2017, she represented China at the Miss Global pageant held in Cambodia, where she placed 4th Runner-Up among 60 contestants from around the world. Wu also served as director of the Miss Wichita Asian Festival Scholarship Pageant.
Political Career
On April 2, 2023 — exactly 30 years after her family arrived in the United States — Wu announced her candidacy for mayor of Wichita.
She received endorsements from Americans for Prosperity (Koch brothers’ organization), the Wichita Regional Chamber PAC, the Wichita Fraternal Order of Police, and former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Wu raised $440,000 during her campaign, a record amount for a Wichita mayoral race, and Americans for Prosperity spent an extra $192,000 on her behalf.
She finished the August 2023 primary in first place with 30% of the vote, advancing to a runoff against incumbent Brandon Whipple.
On November 7, 2023, Wu won the general election with 57.6% of the vote (37,004 votes) compared to Whipple’s 41.8%. She was sworn in on January 8, 2024, as Wichita’s 103rd mayor.
Tenure as Mayor (2024–Present)
During her first two years, Wu has focused on increasing police salaries and equipment, promoting transparency in city government, and prioritizing public safety and economic growth.
She introduced Monday meetings with local news media to better inform residents and pushed for rules on gift reporting and council member travel.
In March 2026, Wu delivered her second State of the City address at Century II Convention Hall. She spoke about homelessness, public trust in city government, and responsible budget spending.
She also acknowledged that her vote for a special election on a 1% sales tax — which voters rejected — was “a mistake.”
Wu was selected for the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative’s Mayors Class of 2026, joining 47 mayors from 17 countries.
She was also selected for the 2025 Hunt Mayors Leadership Fellows and 2025 Rodel Institute Fellowship programs.
Her current mayoral term ends on January 10, 2028.
What Is Lily Wu’s Net Worth and Salary?
Net Worth
As of 2026, Lily Wu’s net worth is estimated at between $500,000 and $1 million. She built her wealth through a 12-year career in television journalism and her current position as a full-time mayor.
Salary
Wu’s annual salary as mayor of Wichita is set at $131,008. This full-time position includes health benefits and retirement contributions. She attempted to decline a cost-of-living pay raise in 2024, but the city attorney informed her that the raise was mandated and could not be individually refused.
Income Sources
Wu’s primary source of income is her salary as mayor. Before her political career, she earned a salary from her work at KAKE and KWCH television stations.
Her pageant career and community volunteer activities did not appear to be major income generators.
Lily Wu’s Awards and Recognitions
Wu has received multiple awards spanning journalism, community leadership, and pageantry:
- 2003 — KAB 1st Place Award in Public Affairs (KTQW TV)
- 2003 — Miss Kansas Teen International
- 2012 — Miss Kansas United States
- 2015 — Leader in Diversity (Wichita Business Journal)
- 2017 — 4th Runner-Up, Miss Global (Cambodia)
- 2020 — Exceptional Young Leader (Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce)
- 2022 — Rising Star in TV (Kansas Association of Broadcasters)
- 2024 — Spotlight Award (APAICS Women’s Collective, Seattle)
- 2025 — Visionary Leadership Award (Wichita Asian Association)
She has also been selected for the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Mayors Class of 2026, 2025 Hunt Mayors Leadership Fellows, and 2025 Rodel Institute Fellowship.
Social Media Presence
Lily Wu maintains an active presence on social media platforms. Her official Facebook page,@MayorLilyWu, has over 22,000 followers and serves as her main platform for sharing updates on city business, community events, and personal reflections.
She also uses Instagram and LinkedIn to connect with constituents and post about her work as mayor.
Fast Facts About Lily Wu
- She speaks three languages fluently: English, Spanish, and Cantonese.
- Wu arrived in Wichita at age eight not knowing a single word of English. She learned through ESL programs and by watching the local evening news with her grandfather.
- She was the first member of her family to graduate high school and attend college.
- Wu announced her mayoral candidacy on April 2, 2023 — exactly 30 years to the month after her family arrived in America.
- She is a registered Libertarian, making her the only Libertarian mayor of one of the 100 largest cities in the United States.
- Wu represented China at the Miss Global 2017 pageant in Cambodia and placed 4th Runner-Up out of 60 contestants.
- As a teenager, she hosted a public television show called Kidding Around Wichita with Lily Wu.
- She received the Harry Gore Memorial Scholarship at Wichita State University, worth approximately $64,000.
- Her Samoyed dog, Aspen, is a frequent feature on her social media pages and is often called her “dog daughter.”
- In 2026, she was selected for the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative alongside 47 mayors from 17 countries.
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Wrapping Up
Lily Wu’s life story — from an eight-year-old immigrant who did not speak English to the mayor of the largest city in Kansas — is one of determination and public service.
She has built a career spanning journalism, beauty pageantry, community activism, and politics. As she continues her first term as Wichita’s 103rd mayor, Wu remains focused on public safety, city spending reform, and restoring trust between residents and their local government. Her term is set to run through January 2028.
References
- Wikipedia. “Lily Wu”.
- City of Wichita. “Mayor Lily Wu”.
- Splurge! Magazine. “Lily Wu”.
- KSN-TV. “Lily Wu – Wichita mayoral candidate”.
- The Wichita Eagle. “Whipple says Wu promoted her boyfriend’s family as a TV reporter”.
- Kansas Association of Broadcasters. “KAB Announces Inaugural Recipients of KAB’s Rising Star Award”.
- KWCH. “Wichita Mayor Lily Wu delivers State of the City address”.
- Wichita State University. “Lily Wu – Alumni Profile”.
- The Shocker Magazine. “Miss Wu”.
- Lily Wu For Mayor. “Bio”.
Disclaimer: The information on Star Vistiq is collected from trusted public sources. We strive for accuracy but cannot guarantee completeness of celebrity profiles, net worth estimates, or biographical data. Readers should verify information independently. For corrections or inquiries, contact: info@starvistiq.com.
