About Mike Padilla
Mike Padilla was an American police officer.
Michael Padilla (born 1948/1949) is an American politician who served as the mayor of Topeka, Kansas from 2022 to 2026. Prior to becoming mayor, Padilla was a member of the Topeka Police Department for 33 years and served one term on Topeka's city council.
Career Padilla is a second-generation Mexican American.
In 2000, Padilla, then a police captain, ran for sheriff of Shawnee County as a Democrat. He won the Democratic Party's primary election in August, but lost the November general election to the incumbent, Republican Richard Barta. Padilla retired from the Topeka Police Department in 2003 at the rank of major.
Padilla was elected to Topeka's city council to represent District 5 in 2017. After mayor Michelle De La Isla decided not to run for reelection in 2021, Padilla announced his candidacy for mayor. He was sworn in as mayor on January 4, 2022. Padilla chose not to seek re-election to a second term.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Mike Padilla?
American politician
When was Mike Padilla born?
Mike Padilla was born in Topeka, Kansas.
What was Mike Padilla's occupation?
Mike Padilla was a police officer.
What nationality was Mike Padilla?
Mike Padilla was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Mike Padilla. https://biography.guide/mike-padilla/
MLA: "Mike Padilla." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/mike-padilla/.
Chicago: "Mike Padilla." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/mike-padilla/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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