Important for Platte Countians to pay attention to KC mayoral race

Kansas City is less than two weeks away from its mayoral primary election on February 22. The two receiving the top votes will advance to the general election March 22. While a crowded field usually fills the ballot when there is an open seat, Mayor Mark Funkhouser is only in his first term and running for re-election. Funkhouser has drawn sharp criticism from civic leaders and citizens from around the city for his handling of a number of situations and heading a city council that has found itself in near gridlock for the better part of three years. This has led several high profile community leaders to challenge him. In fact, with the strong support and credentials of the other candidates, Funkhouser is on pace to become the first Kansas City Mayor in over fifty years to not win re-election.

The 2011 mayoral campaign is unique because of the caliber of candidates in the race. While there are currently six candidates challenging Funkhouser’s re-election, four have risen to the top of the field. Slyvester ‘Sly’ James, Mike Burke, Deb Hermann, and Jim Rowland have a wide range of community, business, and government experience spanning their entire careers. All bring reputations generally held in high regard with specific strengths they’ve highlighted at various forums and debates this month. In a large city with many different constituencies to discuss issues, a city-wide campaign can be complex and unpredictable. Between the seven total candidates, 20% of the total vote could be enough for a candidate to advance to the general election campaign, meaning they will be working hard to earn it.

During Sly James’s 26-year legal career, he became the first African-American partner at the law firm of Blackwell, Sanders, Matheny, Weary & Lombardi, served as president of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, was appointed to the board of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, and successfully twice chaired the Save Our Stadiums committee to bring improvements to the Truman Sports Complex. James currently runs his own small law firm, The Sly James Firm. His campaign has taken a broad focus to education, employment, government efficiency, and law enforcement (the four E’s). Supporters see strength in the fact that he hasn’t held elected office before and is known for bringing a positive approach to problems.

Long-time Platte County resident and economic development lawyer Mike Burke has participated in some of Kansas City’s largest job creation projects over the past 30 years. Burke recently served as President and CEO of the King Hershey law firm. He served a partial term on the City Council in the 80’s, but is known more for his involvement as President of what is now the Northland Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Public Improvements Advisory Committee (PIAC) which is responsible for distributing funds for public works projects, and a leading advocate of the development of Berkley Park along the Missouri River where Riverfest is held each July Fourth weekend. His campaign has focused on his vast knowledge of tools available for creating economic opportunities and his business experience leading successful organizations.

Northland neighborhood advocate and current City Councilwoman Deb Hermann served in a number of volunteer community roles throughout the 90’s and was appointed to the City Planning Commission and Property Maintenance Advisory Committee before running for office. Elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2007, Hermann is currently the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee which is responsible for making many of the budgetary and financial decisions for the city. In difficult economic times, many close to the actions of the city have given her positive credit on the steps taken in recent years to improve the city’s financial standing. Supporters of Hermann think her ‘accidental politician’ status allows her to rise above divisive politics, while her detailed knowledge of the budget will be an asset to a cash-strapped city.

Jim Rowland is a former I.T. business consultant and City Council member. Rowland left his position on the Council to accept the job of Executive Director of the Truman Sports Complex Authority where he oversaw $700 million worth of renovations and improvements. Rowland has been involved as a youth baseball coach and part-time teacher in recent years as well. His campaign has focused on his inclusiveness of women and minority businesses in the Truman Sports Complex project and handling of the funds along with his experience with city issues while on the Council.

Brushing just the surface of these candidates, many Kansas City residents will have a tough decision picking a single person. Each brings their own unique background, strengths, and persona leaving some to wish for a hybrid of them all. Any of the four top challengers could realistically advance to the March general election and even a glimmer of hope still remains for Funkhouser. Although there has been very little in-fighting between the challengers, Funkhouser’s likely opportunity to sneak through the primary would be if the vote were divided evenly between his opponents. However, the prowess of political consultant Jeff Roe and some last minute campaign donations can never be underestimated.

Even though the majority of Platte County’s land mass is not in Kansas City, a significant portion of its population is. Kansas City has served as a regional hub of commerce for decades and supports the many municipalities that border it. The election of the next Mayor of Kansas City will have wide ranging effects beyond the city’s limits so while many may not be able to vote in the election, turning your attention to it will be time well spent.