Politics will dominate 2012

With Iowa Caucus results coming in as we go to press, 2012 will be dominated politically by the Presidential race. There’s no doubt all races will be affected by it, but while the 2010 local election results mirrored those nationally with huge Republican gains, 2012 should see more balanced results nationally.

2012 will be a year of answers. We’ll learn much more than we did over the course of 2011. Elections tend to fast track those answers. Will President Barack Obama serve a second term? Can Congress accomplish… anything? Will Republicans complete their political takeover of Platte County? Or can local Democrats find candidates respected and strong enough to run despite a less than desired party backing? Will Republican county officials divide themselves into conservatives and moderates?

Commissioners will approve the County’s 2012 budget this week. Included will be a 10 percent employee health insurance cost increase, an estimated $10.7 million contract for emergency communication equipment upgrades and the funding of a $5.4 million community center expansion. Not included will be a three percent cost of living adjustment for County workers proposed by County Auditor Kevin Robinson which has not been done since 2006. The 2012 budget will be slightly smaller than Robinson’s recommendation and the finalized 2011 budget.

Filing to run for public offices begins in February. County officials expected to run for re-election include 1st District Commissioner Kathy Dusenbery and 2nd District Commissioner Jim Plunkett. Three officeholders announced their retirements in 2011 for the end of 2012. They include County Treasurer Bonnie Brown (Democrat), County Administrator Terry Edwards (Democrat) and Sheriff Richard Anderson (Republican). Republican Rob Willard, an attorney, has announced his candidacy for the Treasurer’s seat while Republican Mark Owen, a long-time captain with the department, will run for Sheriff. County Assessor David Christian, a Democrat, is expected to run for election after his appointment last spring.


Also in February (and again in March), Republicans will vote for their party’s Presidential preference. Missouri law requires a primary be held Feb. 7, but the results won’t be binding because the state legislature failed to move it to the Republican Party’s “official” date of March 17 when delegates will be decided by a caucus. In addition to your annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration, which might traditionally include an alcoholic beverage, Republicans can also pick a Presidential candidate. If you’re undecided, then said beverage may aid your selection. In Parkville, you’ll be able to drive your golf cart to the polling place by this point.

April brings school board elections. Possible levy increases will be a large part of those debates. After years of lowering tax levy rates during strong economic times, local school districts may need to reverse course in 2012 to balance their budgets. Similar to some people’s resolutions to lose weight, it’s great to say you lost it, but not as fun when you can’t keep it off.

All three local state representatives appear to be running for re-election in 2012. Galen Higdon, Nick Marshall, and Ron Schieber have no announced opponents so far. Redistricting is still to be finalized, but as the lines currently stand it can be said Marshall benefited with the addition of some strongly conservative neighborhoods in the south. Marshall’s benefit comes at Schieber’s peril as his district now has advantages to a possible Democratic challenger.

During the 2012 legislative session, balancing the budget and Mayor Sly James’s proposed takeover of the Kansas City Missouri School District will take center stage. While Kansas City representatives try to negotiate and pass legislation to address this, look for representatives from more rural areas of Missouri to leverage this to their own agendas. Education aside, Republican legislative leaders have had several months to review and discuss the stalemate within their own party. This will hopefully lead to more progress in 2012.

July brings the major league All-Star game to Kansas City. Where will most of those people come through to get there? That’s right, Platte County via Kansas City International Airport. There probably aren’t any promotions scheduled when the baseball world focuses in on Kansas City, but showcasing the economic and quality of life aspects of moving your residence, business, or convention to Platte County wouldn’t hurt.

August will feature some interesting primary contests along with a number of ballot initiatives. The biggest will be the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate with the winner challenging Senator Claire McCaskill. Former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, Congressman Todd Akin, and businessman John Brunner are the announced Republican candidates. With President Obama’s poor outlook in Missouri, whoever advances will have a good chance against McCaskill. The thought of Independents voting for one, but not for the other in this case is unlikely.

While the state legislature is dominated by Republicans, four out of six statewide offices are held by Democrats. For local Democrats, these are probably some of the races that draw the most excitement in 2012 based on how races are shaping up early. Looking at the White House, President Obama is not where he’d like to be coming into 2012, but neither are his potential opponents. Despite any contrary Iowa results, Mitt Romney will be the Republican Party nominee for two reasons. He’s run a steady, smooth campaign with few mistakes and has the best chance at beating Obama. By most historical indicators, he should be the next President. On the other hand, Obama’s economic and approval numbers are trending positive. He’ll run against a Congress that passed less legislation in 2011 than even the infamous “Do-Nothing Congress” Harry Truman ran against in 1948. Could Obama lose the popular vote, but win the Electoral College? The map says it’s possible. The effect of a third-party candidate can’t be ruled out either.

Of course, this is just what appears on the 2012 horizon. Many more headlines will surface throughout the year. The Citizen will touch on various subjects throughout including the local issues, races and candidates themselves. In the meantime, here’s hoping you all have a great 2012.