Meet the six candidates fighting for a spot on the North Kansas City Council
Six candidates, including four incumbents, are vying for four open seats on the North Kansas City Council.
The candidates will be on the ballot April 7. The polls are open from 6 a.m to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can find more information about how to vote and see what else will be on their ballots by visiting the Missouri Secretary of State’s website.
The election for four open seats will feature two contested races. In Ward 1, incumbent Anthony Saper is running against challenger Rita Pearce. And in Ward 4, Yvonne Salinas, an incumbent, is running against newcomer Synthia Larson. Uncontested incumbents are running for seats serving both Wards 2 and 3.
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Ward 1
Anthony Saper
Incumbent? Yes
Campaign website: N/A
Anthony Saper currently represents the First Ward on the North Kansas City Council. He moved to North Kansas City over 30 years ago. Previously, he has served in various local government roles, including as the commissioner of North Kansas City Special Road District and the chair of the Board of Directors of the NKC Destination Developers. Saper has also served as a member of the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Board, Northland Transportation Committee and North Kansas City Hospital Board of Trustees. Saper was a PhD candidate at Rutgers University studying planning and urban development.
If reelected, Saper hopes to continue listening to all community members and has pledged to continue focusing on projects and policies of all sizes — from sidewalk repairs and tree planting to affordable housing, downtown revitalization and updating old facilities.
Saper also plans to oppose “projects that don’t benefit those who live and work here but that largely benefit developers, consulting firms, and engineering groups,” especially as the city looks to develop land once reserved for a potential new Royals stadium.
“My commitment has always been to make North Kansas City the most livable, inclusive, compassionate and welcoming community possible for all of those who live, work and visit here,” he said.
Rita Pearce
Incumbent? No
Campaign website: N/A
Rita Pearce is running to represent Ward 1 on the North Kansas City Council. She currently serves as the executive director of the Northland Assistance Center in North Kansas City. Pearce did not attend or participate in North Kansas City’s candidate forum.
Ward 2
Lyndsey Magrone
Incumbent? Yes
Campaign website: N/A
Lyndsey Magrone, an incumbent, is running unopposed for another term serving on the North Kansas City Council. Magrone is a lifelong resident of the Northland and a graduate of North Kansas City High School, she said during a candidate forum last week.
If reelected to serve for a second two-year term, Magrone said she would prioritize making North Kansas City a more welcoming place for everyone, including residents, business owners and visitors, by expanding community involvement opportunities, like events and local organizations and committees.
“No other place feels like home like North Kansas City does. And no other place could ever feel like home like this place does,” she said.
Ward 3
Linda Alvarez
Incumbent? Yes
Campaign website: N/A
Linda Alvarez, an incumbent, is running unopposed for a third term serving on the North Kansas City Council. She previously worked for the Kansas City Police Department as a dispatcher for around five years before becoming a dispatch supervisor for the North Kansas City Police Department. She worked for the department for 23 years and retired around four years ago.
Alvarez, who was once an avid bike rider and is now a frequent walker, said at the candidate forum last week that she supports the Safe Streets for All plan and hopes to continue seeing safe streets for North Kansas Citians be a priority for the community.
She also hopes to make decisions based not just on what she thinks is best, but what neighbors and residents want. “I do love this city, I worked in this city, I live in this city,” she said.
Ward 4
Yvonne Salinas
Incumbent? Yes
Campaign website: N/A
Yvonee Salinas, an incumbent, is running for another term serving on the North Kansas City Council. She is challenged by Synthia Larson. Salinas did not attend or participate in North Kansas City’s candidate forum.
Synthia Larson
Incumbent? No
Campaign website: N/A
Synthia Larson is running to represent Ward 4 on the North Kansas City Council against incumbent Yvonne Salinas. She currently serves as the president of the Board of Directors for the North Kansas City Parks and Recreation Foundation and is a member of the Parks and Recreation board, she said at last week’s candidate forum.
If elected to the Council, Larson said she hopes to prioritize the betterment of North Kansas City’s parks and grow community engagement to ensure more residents are invested and involved in city happenings.
She also supports the addition of more bike lines and increasing the city’s walkability. As a council member, Larson said she would use her voice to uplift the wants and needs of the residents of Ward 4 “with honor.”
This story was originally published March 30, 2026 at 1:32 PM.
