By Kathy Feist
Former Kansas City mayor Kay Barnes was sworn in as the temporary Jackson County executive on Wednesday, October 10.
Barnes was appointed by Jackson County Legislature Chairman DaRon McGee after voters overwhelmingly (85%) recalled former executive Frank White, Jr. at the polls on September 30th.
McGee shared with the Telegraph that his decision to select Barnes rested on her experience as a county legislator and mayor of Kansas City.
“She also has not been involved in local politics in quite some time,” he said. “Which inspires public trust in her.”
Barnes was elected as the first woman legislator in Jackson County in 1974. In 1979 she was elected city councilman for Kansas City. She was voted first woman mayor of Kansas City in 1999 and set out to make a name for herself and Kansas City by setting in motion the Kansas City Power & Light District and Sprint Center in an otherwise dying downtown area. She was reelected in 2003.
Since her retirement from politics in 2008 (she ran for state congress and lost), Barnes served Park University as the director of the Center for Leadership. At the age of 87, Barnes has continued to serve on various boards throughout the community.
“She is smart and physically fit for someone who is 87,” said McGee who claims he was unaware of her age during the selection process.
Barnes will serve in her new role until the county legislature elects an interim executive. The legislature has up to 30 days after the recall to do so. When one is named, he or she will serve until the public votes in a candidate in November 2026. The legislature will begin interviewing candidates on Friday, October 12.
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