With the March 31 filing deadline now closed, the field is set for Jackson County’s 2026 elections — and it’s more crowded than when candidates first began filing in February.
Voters will need to pay attention early. With multiple contested primaries, many key races could effectively be decided on Aug. 4, ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
County Executive Race Grows To Eight Candidates
When The Community Voice first reported on the race in March, just three Democrats had filed. That field has now grown to eight candidates, including one Republican, ensuring both a competitive primary and a general election.
Here’s who is running:
- DaRon McGee, current Jackson County legislator representing the 4th District in southeastern Kansas City and Raytown. He was one of five votes to appoint Phil LeVota as interim executive in October 2025.
- Stacy Lake, an attorney who nearly unseated Frank White Jr. in the 2022 Democratic primary, earning 47% of the vote.
- Ryan Meyer, a marketing consultant and Streetcar Transportation Development District board member who previously ran for county legislator in 2022.
- Holmes Osborne, a financial analyst who serves on the Metropolitan Community College Board of Trustees.
- Bill Baird, the current mayor of Lee’s Summit, commercial real estate broker and former school board member. Baird has pushed back on the idea that the race lacked qualified candidates before LeVota entered.
- Erik Steffen, a major-account manager at a cybersecurity company.
- Alan Rohlfing, a former U.S. military service member from Lee’s Summit and the only Republican in the race.
They are joined by Interim County Executive Phil LeVota, whose decision to run drew attention after he signed an affidavit indicating he would not seek the office.
New Legislative Challengers Since March
Since our initial report, two key races have drawn new challengers:
In 2nd District At-Large, incumbent Donna Peyton now faces Brandon Ellington, a former Missouri state representative and former Kansas City council member. The winner of that Democratic primary will face Republican Gresia Cabrera in the general election.
In 2nd District, first-term legislator Venessa Huskey now faces a primary challenge from Erik Dickinson, a first-time candidate with a background in youth development. Dickinson is president of Urban Ranger Corps, which focuses on preparing at-risk youth for careers, leadership and community involvement. This race will likely be decided in the primary, as no Republican has filed for the seat.
Major Turnover Expected On Legislature
There will be significant turnover on the nine-member Jackson County Legislature, with five members not seeking reelection:
- DaRon McGee, who is running for county executive
- Megan Smith, 3rd District At-Large, who is not seeking reelection after just one term
- Sean Smith, who currently represents the 6th District and has completed one term. He initially entered the Republican primary for the newly drawn 4th Congressional District but withdrew and is now running for the Missouri House, District 34
- Charlie Franklin, 3rd District, term-limited
- Jeanie Lauer, 5th District, term-limited
Other Races Previously Covered
1st District At-Large:
Incumbent Jalen Anderson faces Democratic challengers Carla Fields and Justice Horn, with a Republican also filed for the general election.
3rd District At-Large:
Susan Wilson, a former UMKC vice chancellor with experience in higher education leadership and community engagement, is the Democratic candidate and does not face a primary. She will face Republican Leon Weatherby in the general election. This is one of the few races without a primary.
1st District:
Incumbent Manny Abarca faces two Democratic challengers in the primary. If he advances, he will not face a Republican opponent in the general election.
3rd District:
This seat is being vacated by Charlie Franklin. Democrats Dennis Rowland and Phyllis Hernandez are running, along with two Republican candidates, setting up both a competitive primary and a general election.
4th District:
With McGee vacating the seat, Byron Townsend, his fellow Hickman Mills School Board member, is running for the position. Also filing since the last report is John Maloney, who has served as an alderman in the City of Grandview since 2011.
5th District:
Democrat Antoine Jennings, who previously ran for Missouri State Senate District 8 and the Blue Springs School Board, is running for the open seat. He does not face a primary but will face a Republican opponent in the general election.
6th District:
Democrat Tony Lawson has filed for the open seat. While little information is publicly available about Lawson, he does not face a primary and will compete against a Republican in the general election.
With the candidate field now finalized, Jackson County voters are looking at one of the most competitive election cycles in recent years. And with so many crowded Democratic primaries, the most consequential decisions may come in August — not November.
