Kendrick, McDuffie elected to represent Grandview; Water board incumbents squash nepotism concerns

By Tony Madden

Jackson County voters in the Telegraph’s coverage area decided on four candidate races in the April 7 election. Two races were for the Grandview Board of Aldermen and the other two were races for sub-district director seats for Jackson County Water District No. 1, which serves the Grandview area.

Here’s a recap of Telegraph area candidates and outcomes:

Grandview Alderman, Ward 2

In a race with familiar faces, Grandview’s incumbent Ward II Alderwoman Irene Kendrick was elected to remain on the Board of Aldermen over former legislator Joe Runions. Kendrick garnered 217 votes, or 57.6%, to Runions’ 157 votes, or 41.6%.

Kendrick was first elected to the Board of Aldermen in 2024. The Grandview native is also a past president of the Hickman Mills School Board. She has served on the school board since 2020 and ran successfully for reelection to the seat on April 7. She said she takes neither responsibility lightly. 

“I serve in both roles because I believe our communities are connected,” Kendrick said in a written statement. “Strong schools build strong neighborhoods, and strong neighborhoods create opportunities for our families.”

Kendrick added in a Facebook post that her focus is clear now that the election is over. It’s her mission to strengthen neighborhoods, expand opportunities for students, and continue the progress she’s seen in her first term as alderwoman.

Grandview Alderman, Ward 3

Newcomer and Grandview native Rodney McDuffie II defeated the city’s incumbent Ward 3 alderman, Thomas Rousey, in a three-way race. Also running was former congressional and mayoral candidate John Boyd, Jr. 

McDuffie won the Ward 3 seat with 272 votes, or about 55.3%. Rousey fell short of the votes needed to keep his seat, gathering only 174 votes, or 35.4%. Boyd got 45 votes, or about 9.2%.

The alderman-elect said he walked more than 160 miles knocking on 1000 doors for his campaign. 

“They invited me into their homes, places of business, and hearts. They told me stories I will never forget in a lifetime. I told them my dreams and aspirations I have for this city. And they chose me to represent them. And I’m eternally grateful,” McDuffie wrote on Facebook.

McDuffie added he’s excited for the work to begin, thanking incumbent Ward 3 Alderman Rousey for “serving Grandview with honor and dignity” and vowing to heed his advice.

Jackson County Water District No. 1, Sub-district 1 and Sub-district 3

Two seats were up for grabs on April 7 at Jackson County Public Water District No. 1. The district serves more than 24,500 people in the Grandview area.

Elected to represent sub-district 1 was current member Michael Lundeen, who gathered 766 votes, or about 62.2%. Lundeen beat James Kent Bruce, who earned 452 votes, or 36.7% of the total vote. Bruce was on the water board 20 years ago and was a longtime Grandview police officer.

Elected to represent sub-district 3 was current member Mark Bybee, who gathered 657 votes, or about 53.1%. A slim margin allowed Bybee to defeat opponent Dan Hartman, who got 559 votes, or 45.2% of the total. Dan Hartman is the water district’s former longtime manager, having served the area for about 40 years.

Lundeen and Bybee also squashed concerns of a single family trying to dominate the board. 

Defeated candidate Dan Hartman is the father of Sonny Hartman, who is already a member on the water board. Also on the board is Lynda Larimer, whose son is married to Dan Hartman’s daughter. James Kent Bruce, the other defeated candidate, was once married to Dan Hartman’s wife’s sister.