Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Abortion / life.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
NonpartisanCurrent official, not on 2026 ballot
Alaina Cunningham
Hays Vice Mayor / City Commissioner - current local official
This is a current-official accountability profile, not a 2026 ballot-candidate profile. The next expected election cycle for this local body is 2027, based on current local-cycle research.
Sources
16
linked public trail
Issues
8/14
with evidence
Records
14
documented items
Online
17
observations
Source mix
16 total
3 primary11 secondary2 social
Latest source access: May 20, 2026
Source TrailBackgroundWho They Are
Alaina Cunningham is profiled here for Hays Vice Mayor / City Commissioner as a nonpartisan incumbent/current official. Quality of life is usually framed through practical amenities rather than broad ideology. She has discussed parks, community center needs, retiree housing, youth retention, and resident-facing services. Hays Post quoted her on The Grove/community center issue... Primary source: https://www.ellisco.net/DocumentCenter/View/5736/2026-Candidate-Filings. These biography/status records are descriptive background only; no policy position is inferred from identity, faith, family, or associations.
- Party
- Nonpartisan
- Office
- Hays Vice Mayor / City Commissioner
- Occupation
- Nurse / Fitness Instructor
- Education
- RN (Registered Nurse) credential -- school not confirmed
Issue overviewWhere They Stand on Big Issues
Position summary
Shown first when sourced
Dated actions
14 items on file
Online signals
17 observed
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for LGBT / gender / parental rights.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Education / curriculum / schools.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Religious liberty / church / civic morality.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Taxes / spending / debt.
Social/online observations
These observations show public activity tied to this issue. They are context, not confirmed positions.
HA
Her 2023 candidate Q&A is the densest first-person source. She framed her run around public service, saying she wanted to make positive chan…
Public activity only; not a policy position.
HA
Hays Post candidate Q&A: first-person platform on water, housing, economic growth, retirees, budget, infrastructure, and "Do Good." (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
HA
Hays Post 2026 budget story: constrained-budget quote and 2026 revenue-neutral budget context. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
HA
Hays Post December 2025 property-tax-relief discussion: quote about shifting burden when funding sources are eliminated. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Economy / jobs / labor.
Social/online observations
These observations show public activity tied to this issue. They are context, not confirmed positions.
HA
Hays Post candidate forum: housing and business development dominated the forum; Cunningham identified youth retention as a top priority. (s…
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Guns / Second Amendment.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Immigration / border.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
Where they stand
HaysMed Center for Health Improvement page: lists Alaina Cunningham under group fitness instructors. Source:
Social/online observations
These observations show public activity tied to this issue. They are context, not confirmed positions.
HA
HaysMed public page: lists Alaina Cunningham among Center for Health Improvement group fitness instructors. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Where they stand
Cunningham's accessible public message is more civic-administrative than campaign-social. The City of Hays currently lists her as vice mayor, and local coverage says the commission elected Mason Ruder mayor and Cunningham vice mayor when the governing body reorganized on January 8, 2026. (City of Hays, Hays Post) Tiger Media Network reported that she and Ruder were not on the 2025 city ballot, confirming she remaine...
What they have done
Kansas campaign-finance data portal:
Hays Post candidate Q&A, October 25, 2023: Cunningham tied growth to housing shortage, diversified housing, developer incentives, workforce, youth retention, retiree needs, and a possible new community center. Source:
Hays Post candidate Q&A, October 25, 2023: Cunningham named securing a sustainable water source as one of the top issues, praised conservation, and described R9 as the framework for a long-term pipeline supply. Source:
Primary source:
Cunningham's accessible public message is more civic-administrative than campaign-social. The City of Hays currently lists her as vice mayor, and local coverage says the commission elected Mason Ruder mayor and Cunningham vice mayor when the governing body reorganized on January 8, 2026. (City of Hays, Hays Post) Tiger Media Network reported that she and Ruder were not on the 2025 city ballot, confirming she remained midterm while the new 2026 body formed. (Tiger Media Network)
Social/online observations
These observations show public activity tied to this issue. They are context, not confirmed positions.
HA
Cunningham's accessible public message is more civic-administrative than campaign-social. The City of Hays currently lists her as vice mayor…
Public activity only; not a policy position.
HA
The highest visible public attention metric is electoral, not social. Hays Post reported that Cunningham received 27 percent of the vote in…
Public activity only; not a policy position.
HA
After the November 2023 election, Hays Post reported that Cunningham received 27 percent of the vote and won a four-year term. She said she…
Public activity only; not a policy position.
HA
Hays Post election-night article: Cunningham elected to a four-year term with 27 percent of the vote and post-election quote. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Where they stand
Water is one of her most direct issue signals. In the 2023 Q&A, she named a sustainable water source as a top challenge, praised local conservation, and said the R9 Ranch framework could give Hays a long-term supply. (Hays Post) In 2025 R9 coverage, her language sharpened: "This is about sustainability and survival," she said, adding that without it, Hays does not survive. (Hays Post)
What they have done
Hays Post candidate Q&A, October 25, 2023: Cunningham named securing a sustainable water source as one of the top issues, praised conservation, and described R9 as the framework for a long-term pipeline supply. Source:
Water is one of her most direct issue signals. In the 2023 Q&A, she named a sustainable water source as a top challenge, praised local conservation, and said the R9 Ranch framework could give Hays a long-term supply. (Hays Post) In 2025 R9 coverage, her language sharpened: "This is about sustainability and survival," she said, adding that without it, Hays does not survive. (Hays Post)
Social/online observations
These observations show public activity tied to this issue. They are context, not confirmed positions.
HA
Her 2023 candidate Q&A is the densest first-person source. She framed her run around public service, saying she wanted to make positive chan…
Public activity only; not a policy position.
HA
Hays Post candidate Q&A: first-person platform on water, housing, economic growth, retirees, budget, infrastructure, and "Do Good." (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
HA
On water, Cunningham's own statements put R9 and long-term water supply in survival terms. In her 2023 Q&A, she said securing a sustainable…
Public activity only; not a policy position.
HA
Hays Post R9 water project story: quote framing water as sustainability and survival. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Where they stand
Water is one of her most direct issue signals. In the 2023 Q&A, she named a sustainable water source as a top challenge, praised local conservation, and said the R9 Ranch framework could give Hays a long-term supply. (Hays Post) In 2025 R9 coverage, her language sharpened: "This is about sustainability and survival," she said, adding that without it, Hays does not survive. (Hays Post)
What they have done
Hays Post candidate Q&A, October 25, 2023: Cunningham named securing a sustainable water source as one of the top issues, praised conservation, and described R9 as the framework for a long-term pipeline supply. Source:
Primary source:
Housing, growth, and incentives recur more often than any other accessible theme. Cunningham talks about retaining young adults, supporting all ages, meeting retiree housing needs, and using incentives to make development feasible. In her candidate Q&A, she argued Hays needed diversified housing and more ways to attract developers and builders. (Hays Post) In later meeting coverage, she defended development incentives as a practical growth tool, saying "We've all agreed that growth is what we want" and that develo...
Cunningham's accessible public message is more civic-administrative than campaign-social. The City of Hays currently lists her as vice mayor, and local coverage says the commission elected Mason Ruder mayor and Cunningham vice mayor when the governing body reorganized on January 8, 2026. (City of Hays, Hays Post) Tiger Media Network reported that she and Ruder were not on the 2025 city ballot, confirming she remained midterm while the new 2026 body formed. (Tiger Media Network)
Water is one of her most direct issue signals. In the 2023 Q&A, she named a sustainable water source as a top challenge, praised local conservation, and said the R9 Ranch framework could give Hays a long-term supply. (Hays Post) In 2025 R9 coverage, her language sharpened: "This is about sustainability and survival," she said, adding that without it, Hays does not survive. (Hays Post)
Social/online observations
These observations show public activity tied to this issue. They are context, not confirmed positions.
HA
Cunningham's accessible public message is more civic-administrative than campaign-social. The City of Hays currently lists her as vice mayor…
Public activity only; not a policy position.
HA
Hays Post April 2026 budget-prep story: quote on property-tax caps, city impacts, amenities, and early public awareness. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
HA
"While it's great to cap your property taxes, it's going to affect the city in other ways." (Hays Post, Apr. 6, 2026)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Where they stand
Hays Post candidate Q&A, October 25, 2023: Cunningham named securing a sustainable water source as one of the top issues, praised conservation, and described R9 as the framework for a long-term pipeline supply. Source:
What they have done
Hays Post candidate Q&A, October 25, 2023: Cunningham named securing a sustainable water source as one of the top issues, praised conservation, and described R9 as the framework for a long-term pipeline supply. Source:
Actions and source trailActions and Decisions
This profile links 14 public items across 5 of the 14 issue areas. Examples include: Election integrity / voting / courts: Cunningham's accessible public message is more civic-administrative than campaign-social. The City of Hays currently lists her as vice mayor, and local coverage says the commission elected Mason Ruder... Election integrity / voting / courts: Primary source: https://www.ellisco.net/DocumentCenter/View/5736/2026-Candidate-Filings. Election integrity / voting / courts: Hays Post candidate Q&A, October 25, 2023: Cunningham named securing a sustainable water source as one of the top issues, praised conservation, and described R9 as the framework for a long-term pipelin... Election integrity / voting / courts: Hays Post candidate Q&A, October 25, 2023: Cunningham tied growth to housing shortage, diversified housing, developer incentives, workforce, youth retention, retiree needs, and a possible new community... Public online activity is listed separately as context.
How to read this section
Dated actions appear here when a linked source supports them. Candidate statements, reporting, and public online activity are labeled where they appear.
- Abortion / life0 documented items
- LGBT / gender / parental rights0 documented items
- Education / curriculum / schools0 documented items
- Religious liberty / church / civic morality0 documented items
- Taxes / spending / debt0 documented items, 4 online observations
- Economy / jobs / labor0 documented items, 1 online observation
- Guns / Second Amendment0 documented items
- Immigration / border0 documented items
- Health care / insurance / Medicaid0 documented items, 1 online observation
- Election integrity / voting / courts5 documented items, 4 online observations
- Public safety / law enforcement / criminal justice1 documented item
- Agriculture / rural economy / water2 documented items, 4 online observations
- Local governance / transparency / ethics5 documented items, 3 online observations
- Environment / energy / land use1 documented item
Faith affiliationWhere They Worship
No public worship affiliation was confirmed in the reviewed public record. No policy position is inferred from the absence or presence of faith-related public records.
Campaign financeDonor/Funding Information
Finance snapshot
No clean online donor list, campaign-finance total, committee report, or itemized contribution record for Alaina Cunningham was located in reviewed public sources.
Reporting period
Most recent public filing reviewed
Source: Campaign Finance
Research trailSources
16 linked public sources
Open the complete source trail with every public URL used for this profile.
Is Something Wrong or Missing?
If you are Alaina Cunningham or represent their campaign, or if you have a correction or additional information, let us know. We want to get this right.
Social/online observationsPublic Online Activity
17 public online items are tied to issue areas. Additional online activity is treated as context, not a policy position.
Her 2023 candidate Q&A is the densest first-person source. She framed her run around public service, saying she wanted to make positive change and that she tries to apply the motto "Do Good" in all areas of life. Her stated priorities were sustainable water, economic growth, housing supply, youth retention, retirees and aging residents, budget discipline, infrastructure, and quality of life. (Hays Post, Oct. 25, 202...
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Hays Post candidate Q&A: first-person platform on water, housing, economic growth, retirees, budget, infrastructure, and "Do Good." (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Hays Post 2026 budget story: constrained-budget quote and 2026 revenue-neutral budget context. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Hays Post December 2025 property-tax-relief discussion: quote about shifting burden when funding sources are eliminated. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Hays Post candidate forum: housing and business development dominated the forum; Cunningham identified youth retention as a top priority. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
HaysMed public page: lists Alaina Cunningham among Center for Health Improvement group fitness instructors. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Cunningham's accessible public message is more civic-administrative than campaign-social. The City of Hays currently lists her as vice mayor, and local coverage says the commission elected Mason Ruder mayor and Cunningham vice mayor when the governing body reorganized on January 8, 2026. (City of Hays, Hays Post) Tiger Media Network reported that she and Ruder were not on the 2025 city ballot, confirming she remaine...
Public activity only; not a policy position.
The highest visible public attention metric is electoral, not social. Hays Post reported that Cunningham received 27 percent of the vote in November 2023 and won a four-year term. After the result, she said she was honored to be chosen and wanted to keep bettering Hays and "doing good for Hays as a whole." (Hays Post) No verified post-level social engagement was visible in the public capture.
Public activity only; not a policy position.
After the November 2023 election, Hays Post reported that Cunningham received 27 percent of the vote and won a four-year term. She said she was "Truly honored to be chosen by the voters" and wanted to keep "bettering our community" and "doing good for Hays as a whole." (Hays Post, Nov. 8, 2023)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Hays Post election-night article: Cunningham elected to a four-year term with 27 percent of the vote and post-election quote. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Her 2023 candidate Q&A is the densest first-person source. She framed her run around public service, saying she wanted to make positive change and that she tries to apply the motto "Do Good" in all areas of life. Her stated priorities were sustainable water, economic growth, housing supply, youth retention, retirees and aging residents, budget discipline, infrastructure, and quality of life. (Hays Post, Oct. 25, 202...
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Hays Post candidate Q&A: first-person platform on water, housing, economic growth, retirees, budget, infrastructure, and "Do Good." (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
On water, Cunningham's own statements put R9 and long-term water supply in survival terms. In her 2023 Q&A, she said securing a sustainable water source was one of the top issues facing Hays and praised conservation and the R9 framework. (Hays Post, Oct. 25, 2023) At a 2025 Hays-Russell R9 update, she said, "This is about sustainability and survival," and "without it, we don't survive." (Hays Post, Aug. 29, 2025)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Hays Post R9 water project story: quote framing water as sustainability and survival. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Cunningham's accessible public message is more civic-administrative than campaign-social. The City of Hays currently lists her as vice mayor, and local coverage says the commission elected Mason Ruder mayor and Cunningham vice mayor when the governing body reorganized on January 8, 2026. (City of Hays, Hays Post) Tiger Media Network reported that she and Ruder were not on the 2025 city ballot, confirming she remaine...
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Hays Post April 2026 budget-prep story: quote on property-tax caps, city impacts, amenities, and early public awareness. (source)
Public activity only; not a policy position.
"While it's great to cap your property taxes, it's going to affect the city in other ways." (Hays Post, Apr. 6, 2026)
Public activity only; not a policy position.