What KCMO's empty City Council seat means
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Mayor Quinton Lucas is searching for an interim City Council member after announcing a sudden vacancy this week.
Why it matters: Whoever fills the seat will only serve for 11 months but may have a large role in shaping the city for years to come.
Catch up quick: Tracey Lewis stepped down from heading the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) on Tuesday. Details as to why have not been released.
- 6th District At-Large Councilmember Andrea Bough immediately took over the EDC as interim president and CEO, resigning from her council seat.
- Bough was previously an EDC board member.
The big picture: City Council is in the middle of finalizing plans for a downtown Royals stadium, with future votes on authorizing bonds and tax financing.
- The city also faces scrutiny over its handling of the budget and policies surrounding hot-button issues, including conversion therapy, diversity hiring and homelessness.
- And the 2027 local election will remake City Council, with turnover in at least seven seats, plus a new mayor.
Between the lines: The councilmember nominee is up to Lucas. He needs a simple majority on City Council for approval.
- The mayor will likely opt for a candidate aligned with his policies as he approaches his term limit.
- Bough, who pushed back on the mayor's mini liquor bottle ban, voted in favor of the Royals deal.
What they're saying: Lucas' office says the mayor will search for a nominee from South KC who will not seek election in 2027 and will be ready to step in and "contribute from day one."
- City code does not set a deadline for a nomination, but the mayor "intends to move expeditiously," according to his office.
Context: The 6th District runs from the Plaza south through Waldo and alongside Grandview.
Between the lines: Chad Grittman, who is running for Bough's seat in 2027, said in an email he does not want to be "given the seat" and would decline a nomination.
- "I'm working every day to earn the support of the voters to win that very seat in 2027," he stated.
- It's a potentially risky move, should the nominee decide to run in 2027 instead of agreeing not to.
The bottom line: Whoever the nominee will be has a big year ahead.