KSHB 41 reporter Rachel Henderson covers neighborhoods in Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties. Share your story idea with Rachel.
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Voters in Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, elected a new Mayor/CEO of the Unified Government.
With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Christal Watson defeated Rose Mulvany Henry 9,465 votes to 8,050 votes to become the next UG Mayor/CEO.
Watson will succeed outgoing mayor Tyrone Garner who did not seek re-election after serving one term.
"I am thrilled for this opportunity, and I look forward to working with Wyandotte County," Watson said. "I give God all the glory."
Family, friends and even other leaders joined Watson on Tuesday night to celebrate her victory.
She held her watch party at John's Java and Jazz, a restaurant in Northeast KCK, an area of town Watson says is close to her heart.
"Every Sunday, I was here on 12th and Cleveland. My husband and I attended church up the street from John’s Java and Jazz," Watson said. "I’m really glad I chose here because this is grassroots, and this is what I’m about, and I think the people of Wyandotte County saw that."
Watson says she's aware of the concerns residents have about wanting lower property taxes.
She says filling empty land bank lots, pursing federal grants and exploring an earnings tax could bring the county money to offer property tax relief.
"I am hopeful to purple the 1% earnings tax," Watson said. "And that’s going to be a big tax for the state, but we’re up for it."
Watson also spoke to the idea of collaboration.
She says public-private partnerships are the key to success and says she looks to still collaborate with unions in town, despite her opponent, Rose Mulvany Henry, garnering most of their support.
"I am open to working with anyone," Watson said. "Just because we did not get the support from the unions does not mean we can’t work together."
Watson's historic victory makes her the first woman in 20 years to serve as the UG's mayor/CEO, and the first Black woman ever to hold this title.
"Representation matters, and I’ve said before that my personal mission in life is to be in a position of influence so I can be a voice for people who don’t have a voice," Watson said.
Among those in attendance were Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson and Mayor Pro Tem for Kansas City, Missouri, Ryana Parks-Shaw.
Kansas City, Missouri mayor Quinton Lucas also showed his support for Watson on Facebook.
Watson says working with leaders on both sides of the state line is important to her.
"In the next four years, I see Wyandotte County as a progressive community making a mark in the region and setting an example for the nation," Watson said.
She'll officially be sworn into office in December.
As for now, she's holding one thought near and dear to her heart.
"I know without a shadow of a doubt that everyday folk got a voice," Watson said. "And they want to be heard, and they spoke today."
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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