Jackson County legislators will choose among three to replace Frank White
On Monday the Jackson County Legislature will pick from three nominees the person who will replace Frank White in the 1st District at-large seat until voters choose a long-term replacement in 2018.
They are firefighter Sherwood Smith, who lost to White in the 2014 Democratic primary; retired county employee Garry Baker, who lost to Theresa Garza-Ruiz in the 1st District at-large race in 2006; and party volunteer Angela Malone.
The Jackson County Democratic Party chose the finalists Wednesday. Under the county charter, three nominees are selected by the political party that the person vacating the position is affiliated with. White, who ran as a Democrat, resigned his seat nearly two weeks ago to become Mike Sanders’ interim replacement as county executive.
Sanders resigned for personal reasons one year into his third four-year term. The legislature picked White to serve in the job for the rest of 2016. The former Royals second baseman will need voter approval if he decides he wants to then serve out the remaining two years of Sanders’ term.
The charter doesn’t put the same restrictions on legislative seats. The person picked will serve out White’s term.
Mike Hendricks: 816-234-4738, @kcmikehendricks
This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 4:25 PM with the headline "Jackson County legislators will choose among three to replace Frank White."