Dr. Susan B. Wilson has filed as an early candidate for the Jackson County Legislature’s 3rd District At-Large seat, setting up what could become one of the county’s closely watched races in 2026.
The seat is currently held by Legislator Megan L. Smith, who was elected in 2022 under her previous name, Meghan Marshall. Smith – her married name – has not publicly announced whether she will seek re-election. However, In December, she shared on social media that she is expecting a child, due in April 2026.
Jackson County’s Legislature is a nine-member body made up of six district legislators and three at-large members who vote on budgets, property tax policy, public safety funding and county operations.
Wilson, a clinical psychologist and retired University of Missouri-Kansas City vice chancellor, says she is running to bring stability and accountability to county government following the property tax assessment controversy that angered many homeowners.
“Jackson County families deserve predictable, fair property taxes,” Wilson states on her campaign website. She supports reforms aimed at preventing future spikes in assessments and making recent tax protections permanent.
Her platform focuses on four priorities: fair property taxes, responsive government, safer communities and economic mobility.
Wilson calls for data-driven assessments, a simpler appeals process and clearer public reporting. She also says she will work to improve communication between the County Executive and Legislature, arguing that dysfunction has delayed budgets and weakened public trust.
On public safety, Wilson points to her service as a Jackson County COMBAT Commissioner, which oversees anti-drug tax funding for violence prevention and victim services. She supports continued funding for SAVE KC – a regional violence-prevention initiative – law enforcement and local agencies to reduce violent crime.
Wilson also highlights her role as board president of Essential Families, a nonprofit focused on economic mobility and closing the digital divide. She says her priorities include supporting small businesses, workforce development and reducing barriers such as childcare and transportation.
Her civic leadership includes board service with Prime Health, the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the Missouri Mid-Continent Library. She also served 15 years as a team psychologist for the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL.
Smith was elected as part of a slate of candidates backed by Freedom Inc., a Kansas City political organization that helped elect a five-candidate coalition of legislators two years ago. Had the group remained united, its members would have held enough votes to effectively control outcomes of the nine-member Legislature.
But internal divisions emerged, with Smith often aligning independently — a shift that changed the balance of power inside the chamber.
Whether Freedom Inc. will endorse Smith again remains unclear.
Candidate filing for the August 2026 primary opens Feb. 24 and ends March 31.
