The Star’s endorsement in Wyandotte County District 2 at-large race | Opinion
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On Nov. 4, Wyandotte County voters will decide between a political newcomer and a sitting commissioner vying for the open at-large District 2 seat on the Unified Government Board of Commission, the primary governing body for Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County.
Attorney Andrew Kump and current District 6 Commissioner Philip Lopez are the candidates seeking to replace at-large District 2 incumbent Tom Burroughs, who gave up the seat to run for mayor and CEO of Wyandotte County but did not advance in the August primary.
In the primary, Kump (1,354 votes) and Lopez (1,136) were the top two vote-getters and moved on to November’s general election.
Commissioners in the 2nd District at-large represent more than a specific district and are elected by all registered Wyandotte County voters. Candidates must reside in the 2nd at-large district, which encompasses the southern portion of the county, including regular Districts 2, 3, 6 and 7.
Whomever voters choose must address pressing issues that include public safety, affordable housing and skyrocketing property taxes.
Although Lopez, the owner of a tree trimming business in Wyandotte County, has experience as a sitting commissioner, he brings baggage, questionable behavior on the dais and legal woes to the table. Because of some of these very public hiccups that have defined Lopez’s time in public office, The Star recommends Kump in this race.
Kump running on accountability
Kump, a late-stage cancer survivor, is a first-time political candidate and has previously not run for office.
“This is my first time running for anything,” Kump previously told The Star Editorial Board. “And to be completely candid with you, if you had asked me two years ago if I saw myself doing this, the answer would have been, um, absolutely not. This is something that I really felt called to do.”
On the campaign trail, Kump has said he would focus on government accountability, more transparency, better spending, infrastructure repair and neighborhood investment if elected.
Kump said one of his goals is to provide property tax relief by growing the county’s residential and commercial tax base. He used data centers as an example of something that could generate a substantial amount of property tax every year.
“They’re paying market rate for electricity,” Kump said. “So this type of infusion of capital into our community could go a long way in helping alleviate that burden.”
Kump is an attorney who works as corporate counsel for Shamrock Trading Corp., a company that owns brands focused on transportation services, finance and technology. He believes his experience as an attorney and as a negotiator could help the County when or if it comes to a possible stadium deal for the Chiefs or Royals in Wyandotte County.
“I want to be in the room talking to those investors and those developers because I’m somebody who’s not intimidated by these hard conversations and these complex legal issues,” he said. “It’s what I do every day.”
Kump, who is married, was raised in Kansas City, Kansas. His father was a KCKPD police officer for 27 years and his mother was a nurse, who now teaches.
He is endorsed by several local unions, including the influential KCK Professional Firefighters Association - IAFF Local 64.
Ethics claims, lawsuit
Philip Lopez, the current commissioner for Wyandotte County’s 6th District, has been embroiled in several controversies in recent years that hurt his candidacy in this race.
Past public statements landed Lopez in hot water, and some of his recent actions have led to legal and other problems. He’s been accused by a KCK resident of bribery and child endangerment and sued. In August, other county commissioners accused him of making a lewd gesture during a public meeting the month before.
Pending civil and ethics claims filed against Lopez related to his actions that led to the lawsuit will not be resolved before Election Day.
During the 2023 election cycle, Lopez repeatedly compared BPU members to Nazis. He was questioned by a member of The Star Editorial Board about the use of such a vile comparison, but doubled down and refused to apologize.
Earlier this year, he disagreed with the founder and director of community sports club Dynasty Volleyball during a commission meeting and made racial comments, for which he later apologized.
Because of Lopez’s repeated behavior we consider unbecoming of an elected official, we cannot support his candidacy in this race.
Wyandotte County is at a pivotal moment in its history. Discussions surrounding community investment and the tax burden remain hot topics. We feel Andrew Kump is the best candidate to represent District 2 at-large.