Kansas City's Conventional Wisdom: The Northland Vote is exceedingly important because they have determined the winner in the Mayor's race over the course of the past three elections.
TKC can easily pick apart this flawed logic.
We're just talking about Mayor Kay and Funky. Co-Mayor Funky was a mistake that almost everyone in KC regrets. And at the end of the day Mayor Kay's greatest opposition was herself . . . Maybe Herb Kohn.
Most importantly: Over the years The Northland has only demonstrated that they know how to vote against the Black guy running for Mayor. Two white candidates would easily divide the Northland in terms of partisan, socio-economic and cultural differences.
Still, like it or not, three white candidates are currently competing for Northland voters.
Mayor Funky, Council Lady Deb Hermann and Mayoral Contender Mike Burke all have significant constituencies among this part of Kansas City and could very well make this entire Northland constituency unimportant during the next election.
By far, Council Lady Deb Hermann has the best access to Northland Neighborhood groups. Hermann's work with the folks in Gracemor and throughout the area offer her the chance to capitalize on her years of community involvement. This is one of the many reasons why she remains the front runner in the Mayoral Race overall.
However, it would be a mistake to underestimate Mike Burke's business connections in the Northland. In the end, people vote with their pocket book. Neighborhood involvement is nice but Burke has a reputation for bringing big bucks to the table and his access to precious funding dollars is well known. Deb Hermann doesn't have much high profile experience with complex business deals and/or government financed community development. In fact, Hermann and her supporters have fought a great deal of financial incentives for developers. . . It's a move that plays well to a populist audience but doesn't yet have a record of carrying elections in Kansas City Proper. Burke also has more connections on the other side of the river than Deb Hermann and he'll be able to draw enough Northland votes to pose a serious threat to the Council Lady that her efforts won't extend beyond the neighborhood level.
Finally, I'm guessing there are more than a few angry people living in trailers and listening to hate radio in the Northland that would still vote for the Mayor. Because of The Great Recession and so much discontent, I won't overlook the fact that the Northland's most reactionary elements still might support Mayor Funky.
Still . . .
IN KANSAS CITY'S MAYORAL PRIMARY, THE CONTEST FOR THE NORTHLAND COMES DOWN TO MIKE BURKE OR DEB HERMANN!!!
Hermann is ahead but the Burke camp is looking busier every day.
There is no doubt the Northland vote is important but in the primary, it doesn't look like their vote alone will be able to propel a candidate to the primary.
Developing . . .