KC mayoral hopeful Glynn gets backing from prominent minister

A prominent South Kansas City pastor has endorsed the mayoral candidacy of Crossroads businessman Phil Glynn.

The Rev. Ronald Lindsay, senior pastor of Concord Fortress of Hope Church in Ruskin Hills, appeared with Glynn Tuesday morning in a message across social media. In an accompanying statement, he cited Glynn's firm Travois, which finances and supports housing and economic development projects in American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.

Lindsay said Glynn's experience with job creation was needed in the city's under-served neighborhoods.

"Phil has a bold vision for One Kansas City, "said Lindsay, a founding board member of WeDevelopment Federal Credit Union, a financial services firm created as an alternative to payday loan operations in low-income communities.

The endorsement was surprising for its timing — a year ahead of the mayoral primary — and Lindsay's commitment to Glynn, a first-time candidate. Among the regular attendees at his predominantly African American church of 2,000 members is City Councilman Quinton Lucas, a possible entrant into the mayoral race.

Lindsay did not return a phone message Tuesday. In a text message, Lucas said he'd spoken with Lindsay and respected his choice.

"I go to the church for spiritual guidance and to share in the community, not for political support," Lucas said. "We'll have enough time to talk the mayoral race. I'll keep my Sundays free of that talk for now."

The other announced candidates in next April's primary are City Councilwoman Jolie Justus, Mayor Pro Tem Scott Wagner, Councilmen Scott Taylor and Jermaine Reed and former Missouri Highway Commission chair Steve Miller.

Glynn, who attends Visitation Catholic church near the Plaza, said he'd gotten to know Lindsay through mutual friends in the city's faith community and work with Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO) a social justice advocacy group. Glynn and his wife Elizabeth, CEO of Travois, co-sponsored an awards dinner last year for Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, where Lindsay is a board member.

"What I came to find is that we have a lot of shared values, like getting our people prepared for jobs coming in the future," he said. "I'm very proud to be associated with him. He is a well respected person in all different parts of Kansas City," Glynn said.

This story was originally published April 17, 2018 at 3:49 PM with the headline "KC mayoral hopeful Glynn gets backing from prominent minister."