KC ethics panel reviews Nathan Willett’s email to residents lauding Trump policies
A Kansas City ethics panel is questioning whether Councilmember Nathan Willett misused the city’s email system to promote his campaign for a seat in Congress.
The questioning centers around a recent email Willett sent through the communication system welcoming Vice President JD Vance to Kansas City that referenced national Republican talking points.
The city’s Municipal Officials and Officers Ethics Commission received five separate anonymous complaints about the email, suggesting Willett was using city resources for political activities.
Bob Geary, who leads the commission, said during a meeting on Monday that the city’s code of ethics “pretty clearly” shows that participation in political affairs or self-promotion is not a public purpose for using city resources.
The email had already caused a stir among the City Council because Willett, who represents the city’s 1st District in the Northland, sent the message to constituents of his district as well as to those in the 4th District. Councilmembers Eric Bunch and Crispsin Rea, who represent the 4th District, said they did not authorize Willett sending the message to their constituents.
However, the ethics commission did not formally launch an investigation into the matter. Lanè Johnson, a spokesperson for the city, said the commission asked city staff to gather more information to consider whether an investigation is needed.
Geary said he wanted to know more about the email before launching the review. City staff said Willett had not yet been questioned about the email.
“I want to know the details,” Geary said. “I would like to have Councilman Willett’s understanding of what he did and why.”
The city’s code of ethics states that a city official can be suspended or removed from office for violations.
Willett did not respond to The Star’s request for comment.
Seeking higher office
The email in question came when Vance recently toured Milbank Manufacturing, a manufacturer of electrical metering equipment located within the City Council’s 4th District. During the visit, Vance touted manufacturing policies under President Donald Trump. He also touched on illegal immigration and criticism of Democrats in Congress.
Willett, who is running as a Republican for Missouri’s 6th District seat in Congress, sent an email promoting the Trump administration’s focus on boosting U.S. manufacturing.
“We believe in the American First Agenda of the President and have seen firsthand in the Show Me state how they have fought for the American Worker - unlocking American manufacturing and reducing the reliance on foreign supply chains,” Willett said in the email. “We are seeing expanded growth and opportunities here in Missouri. We must continue the fight for the America First Agenda.”
Ethics commissioners also scrutinized Willett’s use of the word “we,” and whether he believed he was speaking for the entire city. Geary noted that the city charter recognizes the mayor as the official head of the city government.
Commissioner Bob Bjerg wondered if Willett had instead used the word “I” whether the issue would be moot. But Commissioner Ramona Farris said that too may be a problem because Willett sent the message to constituents of a district he does not represent.
Farris also noted that Vance was invited to the city by a private company, not the city or the state, suggesting Vance’s visit was not related to city business. She also said Willett’s active campaign for higher office should be considered.
“He was utilizing his position for his own personal thoughts, knowing he is in his position now and what he is looking to do in the future,” Farris said. “I’m looking at this being political, especially when a manufacturing company is the one that sponsored the vice president to be in town.”
City staff told the commission it would create an investigation plan and bring information back to the commission at a future meeting.
Unauthorized email
Willett’s email had already been scrutinized by his fellow council members. Bunch and Rea criticized him for sending a political message to their constituents, calling it “inappropriate and unauthorized.”
Rea said he was disappointed by the content of the message because it was not related to city business.
Meanwhile, Bunch called Willett’s message “divisive” and said it violated the City Council’s internal regulations. He also said Willett had been warned about the regulations because of earlier misuse.
“His selective use of certain district lists raises serious concerns about the line between public service and other political activities,” Bunch said in his statement.
Willett later said that the email was sent to 4th District residents in error and that he apologized to Bunch and Rea.
