Voter guide: See who’s seeking the mayor’s office in Lee’s Summit
Voters in Lee’s Summit will chose between two current members of city council to take over the mayor’s office in the April 7 election.
Here’s a look at the two candidates vying to helm Lee’s Summit, Cynda Rader and Beto Lopez:
Cynda Rader
Website: cyndaformayor.com
Political bio/background: Rader is currently serving in her first term on Lee’s Summit City Council. She’s also held roles serving on the city’s License Tax Review Committee, the Water Utilities Advisory Board and the Planning Commission. She’s also a real estate professional and runs her own business, the Cynda sells Real Estate Company. Rader has lived in Lee’s Summit for more than 50 years.
Platform: Rader said she is running for the mayor’s office to bring her business experience and leadership to the city at an important time for the city’s future. She said her focus is on managed growth and infrastructure, economic development and collaboration among the city’s leadership, residents and business community.
Rader said one of her top priorities is bringing quality jobs to Lee’s Summit. She said she believes the city must be intentional about attracting businesses and industries that create strong, sustainable jobs for residents. She said she would work closely with regional partners and local leadership to ensure the city remains competitive for long-term economic success.
Housing, she said, is another key focus. She said she supports a balanced approach to housing that prioritizes “attainable, single-family homes, especially for first-time buyers and seniors looking to downsize.” She said the city should explore creative ways to make those homes more accessible while still protecting the character and integrity of existing neighborhoods.
Lee’s Summit City Council member Faith Hodges recently accused Rader of being dismissive of allegations that former council member Fred DeMoro had sexually harassed Hodges before he resigned in 2024. Hodges said she spoke out about the situation after Rader recently posted a campaign video on social media that briefly showed DeMoro and Rader at an event.
Rader said the video was shot at a public campaign event and that there was “no coordination or involvement beyond that.”
Further, Rader said she was not involved in the alleged harassment and said, “I will not engage in speculation or mischaracterization. My focus remains on serving the people of Lee’s Summit, listening to our residents, and continuing to lead with integrity, respect, and accountability.”
Beto Lopez
Website: betolopez4mayor.com
Political bio/background: Lopez is serving in his second term on Lee’s Summit City Council and currently holds the city’s mayor pro tem position. He’s also held board roles for Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools, the Police Foundation of Kansas City, the Mid-America Regional Council and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as the president and CEO of Guadalupe Centers in Kansas City.
Lopez did not respond to multiple messages from The Star for this voter guide.
In the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce voter guide, Lopez said his top three priorities as mayor would be public safety, planning for continued population growth and strategic economic development.
Lopez was criticized in a pair of 2024 lawsuits filed in Jackson County by former Guadalupe Centers employees who alleged that they were wrongfully dismissed from their roles and that Lopez retaliated against them after they raised concerns in their positions. One lawsuit, filed against Guadalupe Centers by former human resources director Shirley Folch, was eventually dismissed by agreement from the two sides last year, while another, filed against Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools by former Superintendent James Hammen, remains pending.
In a candidate Q&A with the news site Link 2 Lee’s Summit earlier this year, Lopez said he could not discuss specifics of the Folch case and said Guadalupe Cneters had denied any liability in the matter.
“As the CEO of an organization with over 450 employees, there are bound to be disagreements with personnel and leadership decisions,” he told the site. “I have always approached these situations with professionalism and compassion and I will continue to take this collaborative approach as Mayor, just as I have on City Council.”
