On June 20, more than half of Kansas City’s city council seats were won by newcomers, with only five incumbents winning re-election. The result? A council that is, according to Mayor Quinton Lucas, “… the most progressive in years.” Add to that the changing landscape of local development, shifting from an era defined by momentum to build a vibrant downtown and worldclass airport, to one in which advocacy groups have increasingly brought forth the pressing need for affordable housing for all. The situation has set the stage for what will likely be an interesting four years at city hall.
New members to the KC council include Darrell Curls of the 5th District at large, Jonathon Duncan of the 6th District, Lindsay French of the 2nd District at-Large, Melissa Patterson Hazley of the 3rd District at-Large, Crispin Rea of the 4th District at-Large, Wes Rogers of the 2nd District and Nathan Willett of the 1st District.
Curls previously served as a state representative and as a Ford Motor Company union steward. His priorities include crime reduction, better city services, more affordable housing choice, good paying jobs and infrastructure investment.
Duncan was a KC Tenants Power (KCTP)-backed candidate. He is a vocal supporter of tenant protections and municipal social housing as well as policing/incarceration alternatives, more transit and worker protections.
French prioritizes safe and healthy communities, affordable and workforce housing, basic city services and equitable development that balances the need for incentives with fair treatment of taxing jurisdictions.
Patterson Hazley advocates for diverse housing for all, good paying jobs with benefits, improved basic services, enhanced public safety and youth advocacy. A former LCRA commissioner, she has deep relationships in development community. At a KCTP meeting, she committed to co-govern with the organization and shared her plan to use multiple tools, including tax incentives and philanthropic funding, to create and revamp truly affordable housing.
Rea states his top priority as safe neighborhoods and supports strong basic services, small business development and job creation. Having grown up in the urban core and worked as a prosecuting attorney in the Special Victims Unit, he says he has seen the impact of crime firsthand and wants to make Kansas City the safest city in America.
A former state representative, Rogers seeks to make Kansas City the best city in the country to start or grow a business. He has said in media interviews that the city needs more housing options which require easier permitting and use of incentives. He also agreed, at a KCTP meeting, that, “… $1,200 for a one-bedroom apartment is not affordable.” He also committed to, “… co-govern with our sibling organization, KC Tenants.”
Willet is a third generation Northlander whose priorities are public safety, neighborhood improvements, youth needs and supporting teachers.
Among incumbents returning for another four years are council members endorsed or supported by KCPT.
Andrea Bough states that her number one priority will be to, “… increase the stock of truly affordable housing in Kansas City.”
Melissa Robinson is a former Kansas City Public Schools board president and crisis intervention director at Ad Hoc Group Against Crime. She has said crime prevention, poverty and redirection of housing and infrastructure funds from her district are among her biggest issues.
Eric Bunch sponsored legislation to overhaul short-term rentals and advocates for municipal social housing and public transit.
The remaining two council members are incumbents who were not officially supported by KCTP but have backed affordable housing/tenant solutions and crime prevention efforts.
Kevin O’Neill lives north of the river and his platform is safe neighborhoods, good-paying jobs/ work environment and the city’s efficient use of tax dollars. He supports the Tenant Bill of Rights, Right to Counsel and is in favor of penalties for bad-actor landlords.
Lastly, Ryana Parks-Shaw in her first term sponsored multiple initiatives around affordable housing, neighborhood services/access, infrastructure bond packages, violence prevention and economic development/small business.
Kansas City has both big events or developments underway or anticipated such as the 2026 World Cup, the new women’s soccer stadium, the streetcar extension, the possibility of a new baseball stadium and the downtown South Loop park.
At the same time, demands for solutions to affordable housing, crime and infrastructure issues are getting more attention.
Time will tell how the newly elected Kansas City council members will integrate the new voices and competing priorities to successfully manage the many opportunities and challenges awaiting it. Congratulations and good luck to all.