Voters in Kansas City will see very different levels of competition depending on which local offices they’re voting on in the Aug. 4 Democratic primary.
Among Missouri House districts that traditionally lean Democratic in the Kansas City area, nearly every incumbent or Democratic candidate is running without opposition. The lone exception is the race in House District 28, where incumbent Rep. Donna Barnes faces a primary challenge from former state representative Mike Sager.
Unopposed Democratic House candidates include Wick Thomas (District 19), Yolanda Young (22), Tony L. Van Trece (23), Kevin Garner (24), Pattie Mansur (25), Tiffany Price (26), Melissa A. Douglas (27), Michael Scott (35), Anthony T. Ealy Jr. (36) and Karissa Marie Varga (37).
All of the other Democratic House candidates in the area are unopposed in the primary. In many of those districts, they also are expected to advance to the November general election without Republican opposition.
The lack of contested legislative races stands in sharp contrast to the Jackson County Legislature, where several Democratic primaries will give voters competitive choices.
Contested county legislative races include:
- County Legislator, 2nd District: Venessa Huskey (incumbent) and J. Eric Dickinson
- County Legislator, 3rd District: Dennis R. Rowland and Phyllis Hernandez
- County Legislator, 4th District: Byron Townsend and John T. Maloney
- County Legislator, 1st District At-Large: Carla Fields, Justice Horn and Jalen Anderson (incumbent)
- County Legislator, 2nd District At-Large: Donna Peyton (incumbent) and Brandon Ellington
The Community Voice has previously profiled many of these races and candidates. For more information on the candidates, district maps and continuing election coverage, visit communityvoiceks.com/category/election-2026/ or scan the accompanying QR code.
Check Out Our Previous KCMO Area Candidate Coverage Under Election’26 on our website, including these stories.
More Candidates, More Turnover — Jackson County Races Take Shape
Crowded Field Emerges In Jackson County Executive, Legislature Races
