Kansas City Democrat will be the only Black chair in Missouri General Assembly

A Kansas City state representative will be the only Democrat in the Missouri House to chair a committee — and the only African American lawmaker to chair a committee in either the House or Senate.

State Rep. Mark Sharp, a Democrat from Kansas City, announced Wednesday that House Speaker Dean Plocher chose him to chair the House Special Committee on Urban Issues.

Sharp told The Star in a Thursday phone call that this appointment is a testament to his ability to prioritize respect and make relationships with both Republicans and Democrats.

He said there is always plenty to fight about, but bringing good policy changes to their communities always comes first, and they are in Jefferson City to work together.

“Most of us in the Legislative Black Caucus feel like we’re in the minority of the minority, so we really have to be very intentional and strategic about establishing relationships, finding middle ground where we can,” Sharp said in an interview.

Sharp said in an interview that they are in the process of putting a package of bills together to help urban cores across the state, but said the committee will probably start by finding middle ground with Plocher, whether that be with bills that make urban areas safer or potential tax credits for disadvantaged people in those areas.

“We want this committee to be a valuable asset to Missouri and to our urban core,” Sharp said.

Sharp said he believes the committee will be able to work on some of the worst problems facing urban communities in Missouri by working with members of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus, Democrats and Republicans, according to the news release.

The only other Democrat on the committee is State Rep. Marlon Anderson, a St. Louis Democrat, according to the news release.