SPENCER DUNCAN
Lifelong Topekan Devoted to Improving Our City
Your Priorities First
Click here to see Spencer's LinkedIn Profile
Spencer is a native Topekan whose passion for the City runs deep and who has dedicated his professional career to helping businesses develop and communities improve.
He was elected to the Topeka City Council in 2018, and represents the District he grew up in.
He is currently Government Affairs Director for the League of Kansas Municipalities, representing cities across the state of Kansas.
As owner of Capitol Connection, Spencer has represented statewide associations - helping businesses, non-profits, education institutions, cities and counties. He is especially proud of his work with small businesses and non-profits, helping them navigate challenges and prosper.
In his work, and as an alum and former State Chair of Leadership Kansas, Spencer travels the state extensively. Visiting and working with communities, he has seen how other cities have excelled in job creation, redevelopment and community growth. This knowledge is invaluable in helping Topeka prosper.
Spencer served as Deputy Mayor in 2022, and for most of his years on the Council his colleagues have appointed him the Chair of the Policy and Finance Committee.
Spencer was born and raised in Topeka. He attended McEachron Elementary, French Middle School and Topeka West High School in USD 501. He holds a B.A. in English and B.S. in Journalism from the University of Kansas and has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Baker University. For several Summers, Spencer took classes at Washburn University, and years later had the honor of giving back to the campus by serving as an adjunct professor.
During his time at the University of Kansas, Spencer was Editor-in-Chief of the University Daily Kansan and awarded the Roy E. Howard Award from Indiana University for his writing and reporting efforts. He spent five years as a sports reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal during his college years, and upon graduation was honored as a Dow Jones Editing Intern, bestowed on just a select number of individuals nationwide each year. Spencer was an editor, reporter and columnist for the Austin American Statesman, Rocky Mount Telegram and Emporia Gazette, before returning home to earn his Master’s Degree.
While working on his Master’s Degree, Spencer was a substitute teacher for U.S.D. 501 by day, and worked in a warehouse at night. He also authored the book, “Historic Shawnee County: A History of Topeka and Shawnee County” which was sold as a fundraiser for the Shawnee County Historical Society.
Spencer started Capitol Connection, an association management group, in 2005, with the goal of helping businesses be successful and expand job opportunities. Capitol Connection offers association management, lobbying and investigative services, as Spencer has been a licensed Private Detective since 2008.
Along with his younger brother, Spencer is former owner of the Kansas Wine & Beer Garden at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. Spencer is also former owner of World Wine & Beer, a retail wine and beer store. Spencer's brother, Ryan, is the Head of Hospitality for University of Kansas Athletics and his brother Joromono, is a personal trainer and small business owner, who has developed a line of exercise and training products.
Spencer is an active member of St. David’s Episcopal Church, where he was baptized soon after birth and has been a member of the Vestry and is a founding member of the “Breakfast Crew” which cooked and served breakfast each Sunday morning.
An active member of the community, Spencer is two-term President of Topeka West Rotary, served on the Stormont Vail Health Events Center Advisory Board and is former President of the Topeka Performing Arts Centers Board of Trustees. He currently serves on the Shawnee County Child Care Task Force, Topeka Small Business Advisory Committee and The Topeka Zoo Board.
Spencer's wife, Barbara, is a financial planner and partner in Clayton Wealth Partners, a locally-owned company. Spencer and Barbara are also active with the Topeka Symphony.
A family man, Spencer lives with his wife have a son, take care of an old cat, a turtle and one yard full of rabbits who enjoy eating their garden. Spencer also enjoys disc golf and has participated in the Sunflower State Games multiple times.
