Jackson County Democrat Crisis Amid GOP Courthouse Takeover

As stadium talks confront outcry from labor groups and voters who don't want to sign a blank check, there's a power struggle now coming to a climax. 

Close readers amongst our TKC blog community know that we covered this impending switcheroo before Christmas. Now it's news FACT.

Here are the basics:

Jackson County Legislative Chair DaRon McGee is out. In a in year when the home team might leave town this is a bad move. 

Legislator Megan Marshall seem to be "collaborating" in a coalition with GOP leaders and Legislator Charlie Franklin is in a moderate district that's now leaning Republican . . . So he's basically stuck getting along with his GOP friends. 

And all of this is happening whilst the January 23rd deadline looms for a ballot issue that hasn't yet materialized.

Accordingly, here's Legislator Manny Abarca's warning to Jackson County Democrats put on blast late last night . . .

"Chairman DaRon McGee is not running again and the seat is open. Sadly, my Republican colleagues have been seemingly gloating that Legislator Lauer is to be elected as the next Chair from a cobbled together, collaborative majority of Democrats and Republicans.

"As a reminder, there is a super majority of Democrats in the Legislature, 7 of the 9. How we (JacMo Dems) can't set egos aside to elect any one of the Democrats is beyond me. Electing a Republican this cycle gravely positions our County party where Trump in on the ballot an many competitive districts are at stake this cycle in the state legislature. As a Democratic Committeeman and Elected leader, I can not justifiably vote for a Republican in any situation. Furthermore, it is counterintuitive as Democratic State and Congressional leaders fight to secure a clear progressive majority, the one place we have it, dems are willing to give away control."

A teaser of this note is now up on Twitter as well. 

Inside info . . .

Jackson County Democrats have countermeasures and poison pills they can use against Democratic Party colleagues who flip. 

Insiders warn us: 

"There is space for interpretation in Jackson County bylaws to make it hard for a committee person if they are caught supporting republicans.  The Republicans have even refused to accept candidate fillings for non allegiant committee/folks running for office." 

That's 100% correct.

And all of this shows us a potential breakdown of majority leadership on the Legislature amid stadium talks AND when the Executive doesn't seem to be helping to keep the Royals in town.

Now here's the warning note sent out to all Jackson County Democrats via www.TonysKansasCity.com screencap . . .

Developing . . .