Governor Laura Kelly today appointed Damon Mitchell of Kansas City, KS to a judgeship position in the 29th Judicial District. The position was created through the retirement of Judge Constance M. Alvey.
“As a former defense attorney and current prosecutor, Damon Mitchell brings a unique and robust perspective to the bench,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “His empathy, commitment to justice, and deep roots in the community will benefit Wyandotte County.”
Mitchell, a lifelong resident of Wyandotte County, works as the Chief Deputy District Attorney at the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office, where he advises the District Attorney on legal matters, assigns cases to attorneys in the office, and trains attorneys.
“I am humbled and honored to serve as the next District Court Judge of Wyandotte County,” said Damon Mitchell. “I thank Governor Kelly for giving me the opportunity to serve as Judge in my hometown. I look forward to helping Wyandotte County move forward, together, with justice for all.”
“We are incredibly proud of Damon,” said Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark A. Dupree, Sr. “From the moment he walked into the office restructuring his role and that of the assistant district attorneys in his charge, he has been nothing short of exemplary. He will bring the experience, work ethic and empathy required of his new position. Wyandotte County is well-served with Judge Damon Mitchell.”
District court judges in the 29th Judicial District are elected and serve four-year terms. When a vacancy occurs in the middle of a judge’s term, the governor appoints a new judge to fill the position and finish out the term. Elections for this position will be held in 2026.
Dear Ms. Bonita Gooch,
I trust my note finds you well.
I am writing to request your consideration of a feature story examining a matter of significant public interest currently before the —Case No. 26-3018, arising from Anderson v. Kansas Department of Commerce (D. Kan. No. 2:25-cv-02068-TC-ADM).
At its core, this case presents a fundamental question with statewide and national implications:
**Can a state establish objective criteria for distributing federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, disregard those criteria, and avoid constitutional accountability?**
The appellate record—now fully developed—raises serious concerns grounded in documented evidence:
• The Kansas Legislative Post-Audit Report reflects admissions that the SPARK evaluation scoring rubric was not consistently applied.
• My Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) request elicited responses confirming the absence of scoring records and, critically, that “there was no scoring” for submitted proposals.
• Despite a structured framework governing the distribution of billions in ARPA funds, awards deviated from any transparent or uniform methodology.
The consequences extend beyond administrative irregularity. The record supports claims that these deviations resulted in:
• Denial of Equal Protection under a “class-of-one” framework
• Deprivation of procedural due process
• Institutionalization of financial and economic exclusion, particularly affecting underserved communities
• Tangible economic harm and downstream public health implications tied to lack of capital access
This case also intersects with a forward-looking solution framework—one that connects legal accountability with economic inclusion:
• A proposed **Kansas City Chiefs Stadium and Entertainment Complex–driven capital strategy**
• A **Star Bonds–anchored development model in Northeast Wyandotte County**
• A **Freedmen’s Public Welfare Investment Community Benefit Agreement**, designed to convert ARPA-related inequities into enforceable community wealth-building mechanisms
The legal theory further invokes federal supremacy principles, asserting that state-level deviation from federally funded program structures cannot stand where it undermines uniform administration and statutory purpose.
I believe this matter aligns directly with your longstanding work examining civil rights, economic justice, and systemic inequities. The story is not only about litigation—it is about whether public systems designed to deliver relief instead perpetuate exclusion, and whether courts will intervene.
For your review, I can provide a complete, organized source package, including:
• Tenth Circuit Opening Brief (Case No. 26-3018)
• KORA Request and Response (State admissions)
• Motion for Summary Judgment (filed and incorporated in appellate posture)
• KC SPARK Testimony (Exhibit 1)
• Kansas City Star opinion article (October 7, 2021)
• Relevant portions of the Kansas Legislative Post-Audit Report
I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you or provide any additional materials needed to support your independent evaluation of this story.
Respectfully,
Murray D. Anderson, Sr.
Plaintiff, Pro Se
Founder, Chairman & CEO
Freedmen’s International Bancshares, Inc.
[Phone] 913-314-0934
[Email] murraydandersonsr@gmail.com
Attachments (Available Upon Request):
Appellate Brief; KORA Record; Summary Judgment Materials; Exhibits; Audit Excerpts
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