Former KC Mayor Kay Barnes to replace Frank White Jr. until interim approved
Former Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes will temporary take over the role of Jackson County Executive after voters overwhelmingly recalled current County Executive Frank White Jr., DaRon McGee, chairman of the Jackson County Legislature announced Thursday.
“It has been a historic week for Jackson County and the voters who have made their voices heard in this historic recall election, and no matter where anyone’s sitting the debate, we recognize the significance of that decision,” McGee said during an afternoon news conference. “A recall is never easy, and it’s a powerful expression of accountability to the voters in our democracy.”
Barnes will take over the position effective upon the certification of the election results next week.
“Mayor Barnes is a historic and trusted leader,” McGee said. “She was the first woman elected mayor of Kansas city, serving from 1999 to 2007. During her tenure, she was widely credited with spearheading the revitalization of downtown, helping to bring new jobs and helping housing and projects across the city skyline.”
Barnes, who also served as a county legislator, is known as bringing people together across various communities and political lines and for governing with both competence and compassion, always putting people first, McGee said.
Her role as will last no longer than 30 days, McGee said, adding that she will add stability and experience during the transition period.
Barnes said she went past what used to be her office prior to the news conference and memories came flooding back, even though it was a long time ago — 1974 to 1978. It continues to be an important part of her life, she said, as she reflected back on her political involvement over the decades.
“I am very aware, as a former Jackson County legislator, of the history of Jackson County, its importance, not only historically, but as we move into the future,” Barnes said. “So I’m delighted to play this minimal role, and will certainly cooperate any ways that I can over the next few weeks.”
Barnes said she’s confident that all members of the legislature will work “thoughtfully and diligently” to come up with the interim county executive to finish the term.
First District At-Large Legislator Jalen Anderson, who posted about the appointment on Facebook Wednesday evening, said he was excited to work with Barnes.
“Her long career career in public service is inspiring. I hope that for however long she is in this temporary county executive position that we can work together and to try to deliver for the people of Jackson County,” Anderson said.
White is being removed from office after an overwhelming 85.2% of voters voted Tuesday to recall the beset county executive, a former Hall of Fame-awarded baseball player with the Kansas City Royals, according to unoffical results.
Election results won’t be final for a few days — absentee ballots are still rolling in from military and overseas residents, due Friday at noon. The Jackson County and Kansas City election boards expect to certify the results of the recall sometime early next week.
Not the official interim
Barnes will serve in the position for 30 days, McGee said.
Starting on Friday, anyone interested in applying for the role as interim county executive can apply on the county clerk’s website, submitting a short application and resume, McGee said. The deadline to apply is noon Monday.
A public meeting will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Longview Community College, where the public can talk to legislators about what they want to see in the next executive.
There will be a special legislative session next week, which has not been scheduled yet, where legislators will vote on the process of the interim county executive, McGee said.
The nine members of the Jackson County Legislature will have those 30 days to either affirm her appointment or agree on an alternative candidate. If the legislature fails to approve a candidate by a majority vote in that time, the judge of the county’s 16th Judicial Circuit will select a nominee to serve out the remainder of White’s term that expires at the end of 2026.
In choosing Barnes for the temporary position, McGee said they went through a process and interviewed a number of candidates.
“Mayor Barnes came highly recommended from several folks in the community, I think her reputation is impeccable,” McGee said. “The question is, would Mayor Barnes say, ‘Yes.’”
McGee said he called her and she asked for a day to think about it, which he thought meant no. But she called back and said she would be glad to help the community.
“I think that’s a testament to her service, the fact that she is retired and doing other things with her life, and she’s willing to come back where her career started,” McGee said.
Barnes told reporters that after the initial call, she really didn’t hesitate. She chose to come back because of her past history with the county and because she knew it was a temporary position. In an answer to a question, Barnes said she has not had any communication with White.
When asked if she would consider applying for a longer position, Barnes didn’t hesitate when she said, “I think I’m finished.
Barnes served as Kansas City’s first female mayor from 1999 to 2007, serving two terms, and is credited with playing a significant role in reinvigorating downtown.
She then joined Park University as the director of the university’s Center for Leadership in May 2007. She also served as the senior director for university engagement and as staff liaison to the university’s Civic Advisory Council, a group of Kansas City business, civic and nonprofit leaders.
Limited time to select it interim county executive
McGee said county legislators will face a tight deadline, but they want to make the process as transparent as possible.
Besides the 30-day deadline, the county has to get a budget before the legislature in November.
“We want to give the new county executive every opportunity to get that prepared and get the budget out the door so we can keep operations running,” McGee said. “So we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
First District legislator Manny Abarca said in a post on Facebeook that he was excited about the appointment of Barnes.
“Barnes ushered in a renewed vision for Kansas City that has left a legacy of impact. I am excited to learn from, collaborate with and chart a clear vision for the future of Jackson County,” he said in the posting.
“Undoubtably, as literally a professor of public policy, Executive Barnes could swiftly work on many of the current challenges while breathing new life into taxation corrections, budgeting, World Cup planning, regional transit solutions, stadium discussions and so many more necessary and swift focuses that must be engaged,” Abarca said.
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said she was excited to work with the person who she will “forever call Mayor Barnes” over the next couple of weeks to make sure that the prosecutor’s office continues to be well resourced and well supported.
“Knowing what I know about Mayor Barnes’ acumen and her track record, I have no concerns about our ability to conduct business at the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office,” Johnson said, before turning to Barnes. “And thank you again for answering the call to service.”
Mayor Quinton Lucas said that on behalf of his colleagues on the city council, they are excited to work with the legislature and with Barnes.
“The success of Jackson County is vital not just to the future of Kansas City, but our entire region,” Lucas said. “We are proud to have a strong relationship and we’re proud to have an even stronger one as we continue to do the work that’s important for our region ahead.”
After thanking the legislature, Lucas then said, “Let’s get work done with accountability to our taxpayers in Jackson County and Kansas City.”
This story was originally published October 2, 2025 at 11:23 AM.
