Ponca City, OK – Kelsey Wagner recently announced her candidacy for Ponca City Commissioner seat #1 and was encouraged by current Seat #1 Commissioner Lanita Chapman to run. Chapman’s fifth term as a city commissioner expires in March of 2023, and she will not seek re-election.

“I met with Lanita, talked to her about my interest in running for City Commissioner, and Lanita encouraged me to run. Lanita has set a phenomenal example for me to follow, and I am honored to have her support,” said Kelsey Wagner.

Kelsey grew up on a small wheat farm in northcentral Oklahoma and moved to Ponca City with her husband in 2007. Kelsey is very involved in Ponca City and has served on several boards including Ponca City Main Street, Ponca City Art Association, BisonBison Film Festival, Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council, and currently serves on the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Board. Kelsey attended Leadership Ponca City in 2014, and Leadership Arts Oklahoma in 2016. During her time on the Ponca City Main Street board, Kelsey led the effort to form an arts district in downtown Ponca City, which has helped change the landscape of downtown. Kelsey is a member of the Ponca City Rotary Club and was recognized as Rotarian of the Year in 2017 and served as Rotary Club President in 2018. Kelsey was named as one of the “5 Under 40” in 2020, an award that recognizes young leaders from the Ponca City area. Kelsey was awarded the 2021 Ponca City Main Street Hero award and was also a finalist for the 2021 Oklahoma State Main Street Hero award. Kelsey was appointed by Mayor Homer Nicholson to the Ponca City Planning Commission in August of 2020 and has served there for two years.

Kelsey has an associate degree in Mass Communications from Northern Oklahoma College, and a bachelor’s degree in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma. Kelsey has an interdisciplinary background in business, with experience working in manufacturing, non-profits, banking, technology, and design. Kelsey is a small business owner. She currently owns MyMediaMatters, a digital creative agency, and launched Ponca City Monthly magazine in 2020, a hyperlocal lifestyle and leisure publication about Ponca City. Kelsey and her husband Jay own a commercial downtown property, located at 319 E. Grand Ave which is the office location of MyMediaMatters.

Kelsey is married to Jay Wagner, and together they have two boys, Noah and Pierce, ages 13 and 15. Jay works at Phillips 66 as an Area Production Superintendent, and also served in the Army National Guard for 7 years. Jay spent one year of service deployed overseas as a soldier in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009. Jay is the Scoutmaster for BSA Troop 524 which is chartered by First Lutheran Church.

“I love my community. Ponca City is my home, and I’ve spent the last decade dedicating my time to make Ponca City a better place to live and work. I am running for Ponca City Commissioner because I know Ponca City’s future depends on people like me stepping into leadership roles to continue the amazing work that’s brought Ponca City to where we are today. I am dedicated to the success of this community, and I promise to serve with honesty, integrity, and an eye to the future.”