By Don Bradley
Incumbent Michael Davis is seeking a third term as representative from Missouri House District 56, which after redistricting now takes in most of Belton and Raymore.
Davis, a Republican, faces primary challenges from a former football coach and a current Cass County commissioner.
Todd Berck most recently coached at Summit Christian Academy in Lee’s Summit. He is making his first run in politics.
Ryan Johnson is wrapping up his first term as associate Cass County commissioner.
Both men have lobbed criticisms at Davis. Berck said Johnson “has not shown up for the district.” Johnson alleges Davis doesn’t even live in the district.
Davis refutes both, including saying that his residency was verified by the Cass County Clerk and the Missouri Secretary of State.
The winner will face Democrat Pam Jenkins Hatcher in November. Hatcher is unopposed in her primary.
Michael Davis
Davis, 29, grew up in Belton and went to law school at Washburn University.
He says a big issue next session will likely be something dealing with stadiums for the Royals and Chiefs. He said the teams would probably need some kind of state assistance after the way Jackson County voters soundly rejected a stadium plan earlier this year.
“I think we could also see a special session on abortion,” he said.
Davis said his time in office should make him the choice of voters.
“My record is one of getting things done,” he said. He mentioned his voting record on abortion, guns and property tax relief for seniors.
Davis, who serves on the House judiciary committee, rejects talk that he was not active during the recent fight against a proposed landfill near Raymore.
“I co-sponsored bills, I spoke on the House floor,” Davis said. “If anyone examines my record on the House website, they will see that.”
Todd Berck
Berck, 56, of Raymore, calls himself a strong law and order, small government, social conservative.
He grew up in Centralia, Mo., played football at Southwest Baptist and taught and coached several years in St. Charles County near St. Louis.
After resigning from Summit Christian, he now works for Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
A big issue for Berck is public safety. He says crime from Kansas City is steadily working its way south in Cass County. He believes courts need to do more to keep violent criminals in jail.
He also believes schools should enforce stronger rules about student behavior and dress.
He doesn’t think students should have access to cell phones during the school day. He also calls for stricter dress codes for students.
“Bodies need to be covered and we need to support administrators who try to enforce that,” he said.
Berck, who calls himself a strong Chrisitan, says he was called to serve and that the country needs a Christian perspective.
“If people are looking for something other than a career politician then I’m their choice. “
Ryan Johnson
Johnson, who lives in Raymore, was elected in 2020 to the Cass County Commissioner. In 2021, he announced he would run for the open 4th district U.S. House seat, but later withdrew, citing family considerations.
He is a veteran of both the Army and Coast Guard, and former chair of the Cass County Republican Party.
Johnson could not be reached for this story. Comments are taken from his websites.
In 2020 Johnson ran on a platform of conservative leadership. He says he worked hard to keep the county open during the covid pandemic, to reduce taxes and eliminate burdensome regulations.
He supports school choice.
“We must secure our elections, protect our property rights, stop the Chinese from buying our farmland, and to restore public trust,” he says on his campaign site.
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