Independence Mayor Weir survives primary, but wins fewer votes than her top challenger
Independence Mayor Eileen Weir survived a challenge from five other candidates during Tuesday’s primary election, but received fewer votes than her top competitor.
Unofficial results from the Jackson County Election Board show Missouri Rep. Rory Rowland, a Democrat, won the most votes with 2,562 ballots cast his way. Weir, also a Democrat, received 1,948 votes.
Colleen Huff, a political newcomer who played up her Republican roots and Christian faith in the campaign, received 1,842 votes.
Weir and Rowland will face off in the city’s April 5 general election.
Weir has been mayor of Missouri’s fifth-largest city since 2014. Before that, she served on the council for two years.
Rowland, a professional speaker and business consultant, has served in the Missouri House of Representatives since 2015.
Weir could not immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday evening.
While the incumbent sought to play up recent business expansions and quality of life improvements in Independence, Rowland centered his campaign on ethics reforms, including new limitations on campaign donations.
“Today, the Independence voters sent a powerful message that they want to see change at City Hall,” he said.
In Tuesday’s city council race, voters narrowed down five candidates to four.
Council incumbents Karen DeLuccie and Mike Huff, along with Marcie Gragg and Jared Fears, will move on to the general election.
Those four will compete for two open at-large council seats.
This story was originally published February 8, 2022 at 9:19 PM.
