KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Kay Barnes was named the temporary Jackson County Executive on Thursday.
Jackson County Legislature Chairman DaRon McGee formally appointed Barnes during a news conference Thursday afternoon after voters overwhelmingly recalled current County Executive Frank White Jr. in a recall election on Tuesday.
"It's great to be back," Barnes said after McGee made the announcement.
Joining Barnes and McGee at the podium were Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Melesa Johnson and current Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas.
You can watch the news conference in the video player below.
Barnes will serve in the position for the next 30 days while the legislature works to identify an interim county executive who would serve out the remainder of White’s term, which is set to expire in November 2026.
Barnes, 87, served as KCMO mayor from 1999 to 2007.
White released a statement Thursday afternoon, which reads below.
I am grateful to former Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes for her willingness to serve during this important time of transition. With her long and distinguished record of public service, Mayor Barnes brings the steady leadership and dedication our community deserves. As her uncle Walter Cronkite once said, ‘I can’t imagine a person becoming a success who doesn’t give this game of life everything he’s got.’ Mayor Barnes has lived that truth throughout her career, giving everything she’s got to the people she serves.
I have directed my staff to assist in her transition and look forward to working with her soon. I am also hopeful that her temporary appointment will allow the County Legislature the time to carry out a transparent, thoughtful, and effective selection process — the kind of public process that produced respected leaders such as Sheriff Darryl Forte and former Prosecuting Attorney Jean Peters Baker.
Some Jackson County legislators attended Thursday’s press conference, including legislator Jalen Anderson.
“We can all say county government has not been stable as it should be because of egos and fights,” Anderson said after the conference. “I think anyone coming in and willing to not choose a side with the legislature, not trying to play 5-4, 4-5 politics, is a huge improvement.”
He says it’s anyone’s guess as to who the next county executive will be.
“I could go from a mention of the three names, LeVota, Tarwater and McGee, to maybe it’s President Joe Biden,” Anderson said. “I have no idea.”
He said one of the legislature’s top priorities will be selecting a new county executive.
With that in mind, Anderson doesn’t believe Barnes’ term will last the full 30 days.
“I think there’s going to be a very quick process to try to get this done,” Anderson said. “I think we have to start seeing ourselves as fellow elected officials.”
One of his fellow elected officials, Sean Smith, was also present at Thursday’s news conference.
“We really had some problems that couldn’t be overcome with Frank in that seat,” Smith said.
He shared what he believes kick-started the present-day issues and need for a recall election.
“The property assessments really set the whole thing off,” Smith said. “It’s a disappointment that [a recall] needed to happen, but it did need to happen.”
McGee shared that the application for people interested in applying for the remainder of White's term can be found on the county clerk's website from Friday, Oct. 3, to Monday, Oct. 6, at noon.
They'll be required to submit an application and provide a resume.
Legislators are also hosting a public listening session on Saturday from 9-10 a.m. at Metropolitan Community College's Longview campus at 500 SW Longview Road in Lee's Summit.
McGee also shared that there will be a special legislative session next week to have a final vote on the process for the interim county executive.
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