A GROUP OF PROMINENT KANSAS CITY AFRICAN-AMERICAN MINISTERS SUPPORT MIKE BURKE!!!

Again, the "fun" part of all this isn't the race between the two candidates but but the struggle between different factions to see who can more accurately position themselves as a "power broker" in a race that just might be starting to warm up.

The real question in this presser is . . . Who has more influence in the African-American voting bloc? Freedom, Inc.? The Ministers? Or The Black Agenda Group???

We'll see . . .

Check the presser:

Prominent Kansas City Ministers Envelop Burke With Support

(Kansas City, MO) – A group of respected and influential ministers in Kansas City are giving their support to Mike Burke in the general election for mayor.

The ministers share Burke’s concern that neighborhoods have been neglected by city hall for too long.

Burke has proposed ideas for revitalizing neighborhoods, creating jobs and reducing crime. Those ministers include:

• Dr. Rev. Wallace Hartsfield II, Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church
• Pastor Ron Lindsay, Concord Fortress of Hope Church
• Bishop Mark Tolbert, Victorious Life Church
• Pastor John Modest Miles, Morningstar Missionary Baptist Church
• Rev. Dr. L Henderson Bell, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church
• Bishop Larry Aiken, Memorial Missionary Baptist Church
• Pastor George Hayes, Damascus Road – Shield of Faith Church
• Bishop Dan Chavis, Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ
• Bishop L.F. Thuston, Boone Tabernacle COGIC
• Pastor Marvin Jackson, El Shaddai International Ministries

“Mike Burke is the only mayoral candidate that backs up his words of inclusiveness with real actions,” said Rev. Dr. Wallace Hartsfield II of the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. “We feel that he is truly committed to working with our communities, fighting to have our voices heard and represented in city government.”

Bishop Mark Tolbert agreed with Hartsfield. “I was happy to support Mike in the primary election and we are all so very fortunate he has moved on to the general,” Tolbert said. “Mike has the know-how in city government, the business community and neighborhoods. You can bet he will not ignore our part of the city or its people.”

“Mike, with his record of community involvement and neighborhood activism, is just who we need as mayor,” said Pastor Ron Lindsay. “We strongly encourage a vote for Mike Burke on March 22.”

Burke said the support of the ministers gave him a boost in the primary and is very grateful to have their backing again.

“These ministers are true leaders in their parts of Kansas City,” Burke said. “They know the people, they know the problems and they are widely respected. I am honored to have their support and look forward to working with them as mayor.”

In addition to this recent endorsement, Mike has earned the support of three former mayors – Kay Barnes, Richard Berkley and Charles Wheeler – four prominent leaders in the Missouri House of Representatives, including Ryan Silvey (R), Mike Talboy (D), Jason Holsman (D) and John Rizzo (D), prominent business leader, James B. Nutter, as well as the endorsement of the Citizens Association, Forward Kansas City, KC BizPAC, The Kansas City Downtown Council Political Action Committee, HOJE, the Carpenters District Council and the Pipe fitters LU #533.

The general election will be held Tuesday, March 22.
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