Manny Abarca voted out as Jackson County Legislature chair; Donna Peyton voted in

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Donna Peyton began Monday’s Jackson County Legislature meeting as the 2nd District At-Large legislator.

After a puzzling few minutes near the end of the meeting, she became the chairperson of the legislature.

Manny Abarca, who began Monday’s meeting as the legislative chairman, was voted out of the job by his colleagues.

Last week, Abarca accused another county legislator’s aide of offering him a $10,000 campaign “donation” in exchange for a vote.

KSHB 41 political reporter Charlie Keegan reported Abarca’s accusation after a July 16 news conference.

Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forté said Abarca called him the night before his news conference and spoke of “allegations of corruption involving several elected officials and other individuals,” according to Keegan's report.

Forté said he told Abarca to document the allegations and send him an email.

The sheriff’s office turned the case over to another agency.

KSHB 41's Lauren Schwentker attended Monday's meeting where the move was made.

Donna Peyton said she has mixed feelings about the circumstances surrounding her new role.

"I feel honored and very thankful that I am elected chair, not too happy about the circumstances," Peyton said.

Jackson County 6th District Legislator Sean Smith said the decision to remove Abarca had been building for some time.

"The seven of us had been in close communication, going back a little while, and thinking that this was possibly necessary," Smith said.

Smith said Abarca's use of his platform was a key concern.

"We were observing challenges with the chair using the platform for personal and political reasons," Smith said.

Peyton said ensuring more voices are heard will be a priority in her new role.

"While that seems like a given, I don't know that that has always been the case," Peyton said.

Before the vote, Abarca raised corruption concerns before the full legislature.

"I have concerns of several legislators and their complaints, including vice chair, that rise above this attempted coup, and I'll submit those to ethics complaints and let that process work itself out," Abarca said.

Smith said the way the accusations were handled publicly could have consequences.

"The way those accusations were made to the media first has the potential to both harm law enforcement investigative efforts, and it has the potential to harm the county and our taxpayers," Smith said.

After the meeting, Abarca's attorney said there are no statements to make at this time.

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