By Ben McCarthy
KCMO Director of Public Safety, Melesa Johnson secured an expected win Tuesday night to become Jackson County Prosecutor. Johnson defeated Republican Tracey Chappell on an election night when there was little else for Democrats to celebrate.
At the state level, Republicans achieved a trifecta in Missouri by securing control of the State Senate, the State House and the Governor’s mansion.
Johnson replaces Jean Peters Baker, who was appointed to the position in 2011 and subsequently won election three times.
As the outcome of the race became apparent around 10 pm, Johnson’s mother, Milena Johnson, was ushered to the watch party microphone, where she almost immediately began directing remarks to her daughter’s Republican challenger.
“We wish Tracey Chappell well in her future endeavors, but what she’s not gonna be …”
Crowd noise drowned out the rest of the elder Johnson’s words, as she continued with remarks aimed at Chappell, delighting those gathered and able to hear.
When her daughter took to the stage a few minutes later in an all-white ensemble (she would end her remarks with a nod toward new beginnings, locally), the newly elected County Prosecutor struck a slightly more conciliatory tone with her defeated opponent, but also spoke in a more prosecutorial tone towards those would-be, repeat violent offenders.
“Change your life, or I will have to change it for you,” Johnson warned.
Calling the current levels of violence in the community “unsustainable,” Johnson promised a tenure that would see her office attack the root causes of crime. While speaking at a Town Hall event with a focus on juvenile crime held October 28 inside the Uptown Theater, Johnson spoke about what she sees as a lost generation of young people lacking hope.
“They have been raised in an environment where violence is normalized and glamorized,” Johnson said.
Like her remarks at that event, Johnson continued to echo her broad support of local law enforcement, especially given the brazen nature of violence they see in the community (particularly amongst young people). After thanking a long list of supporters and colleagues, she acknowledged the road that lies ahead of her.
“This is when the real work begins,” Johnson said.
Ballot Issues
Missouri voters had to decide the fate of five amendments and one proposition . The Amendments held the power to change the state’s constitution, while Proposition A will change the state law regarding minimum wage.
Amendment 2, barely passed with 50.2% voting to legalize sports betting. Missouri joins Kansas, where it has been available for two years. The amendment promises to tax 10 percent of net revenue–after deductions for promotions and other expenses–with proceeds going to education and compulsive gambling programs.
With almost 3 million votes cast, Amendment 3 narrowly passed, establishing a constitutional right to reproductive rights. Around 52% voted in favor of the measure, thus removing Missouri’s previous ban on abortion. Two years ago, Kansas voted by an even wider margin (59%) to reject a state constitutional amendment that would have said there was no right to an abortion. The votes showcase that, despite popular belief, there is a contingent of pro-choice Republicans alive and well in the heartland. Missouri becomes the first state to end an abortion ban since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Amendment 5 lost by a close margin, with voters ultimately rejecting another gambling measure. With 52% of voters rejecting it, the Missouri gaming commission is unable to grant an additional gambling boat license for a boat on the Osage River.
Amendment 6 fell by a wider margin, with 61% of Missouri voters rejecting the amendment that would have allowed the courts to charge fees that would fund the salaries of law enforcement personnel.
Amendment 7 did pass comfortably with 68% voting in favor of no ranked choice voting. To many, the ballot language made the Amendment appear as if it would change the state constitution so that only US citizens could vote. Since that has always been a constitutional law, many believe voters were misled by confusing ballot language.
Proposition A passed by a wide margin of 58% in favor, and 42% opposed. This will amend Missouri law to increase the minimum wage on January 1,2025 to $13.75 per hour, and to $15 the following year (it will also continue to adjust the minimum wage based on changes in the Consumer Price Index each January, beginning in 2027). It also requires all employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked. Missouri Jobs with Justice celebrated the win with supporters at the Uptown Theater on election night. Mayor Lucas made his way to the venue to mingle with supporters as the celebration was underway.
Jackson County voters also voted on Question 1, passing it by a margin of 57.7% in favor to 42.3% opposed. This adopts a new property tax to fund services for seniors, aged 60 and above. It imposes a 0.05% property tax (5 cents per $100 of assessed value of both real and personal property) on all Jackson County residents. For a Jackson County resident with the average home price of $250,000, they will receive an assessed value of $47,500 (typically 19% of market value for residential property). The homeowners would then have to pay a levy of $23.75. A $10,000-valued automobile would result in another $1.67 annually in new taxes.
Candidate Races
Josh Hawley cruised to Senate re-election over Democrat Challenger Lucas Kunce, helping Republicans win a Senate majority. Hawley won with a 55% share of the vote, collecting 1,608,610 votes, against Kunce’s 1,216,082 (95% reporting).
Missourians voted to send all of its incumbent members of Congress back to D.C., including Republican Mark Alford in District 4, and Democrat Emanuel Cleaver II in District 5. Alford defeated Democrat Janette Cass, 71% – 26%, and Cleaver won with 60% of the vote over Republican Sean Smith’s 36%.
Republican Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe will succeed out-going Governor Mike Parson (also a Republican, term-limits) after defeating Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade.
Kehoe won with 59% of the vote, against Quade’s 39%. Republican Dave Wasinger will join Kehoe as Lieutenant Governor after beating Democrat Richard Brown by a margin of 57% – 39%.
While Republicans seized the State House and Senate, local Democrats fared well in their respective races.
Republican Dave Thomas could only muster 31% of the vote against Democratic incumbent Anthony Ealy for District 36, which includes a constituency south of 115th St and Grandview.
In District 25, Patty Mansur, a one-time member of the Kansas City Public School’s Board of Education, won with a sizable advantage of 77% against Republican Steven Bright’s 23%.
In the Missouri Senate, State Representative Patty Lewis won District 7, after cruising to victory against Republican Joey LaSalle, winning by a margin of 74% to 26%. The district represents the western and southwestern parts of Kansas City and most of the City of Grandview. The seat had previously been held by Greg Razer who resigned this summer to accept an appointment with the State Tax Commission.
Incumbent Missouri Senator Barbara Ann Washington fared even better in the District 9 race against Republican Derron Black, taking the contest by a count of 79% to 21% (she won by an identical margin in her Democratic primary). District 9 contains parts of Kansas City east of Forest Ave / Troost Avenue, Hickman Mills, and Raytown.
Republicans swept the remaining offices: voters retained Republican Andrew Bailey as Attorney General, as he defeated Democratic challenger Elad Gross, 60% – 38%, Missouri Sen. Denny Hoskins becomes Secretary of State after defeating Barbara Phifer, 58% – 40%, and Vivek Malek wins reelection as State Treasurer with 58% of the vote, to Mark Osmack’s 38%.