Activist Gwen Grant Demands 'Unity' Amid Jackson County Prosecutor Vote

In comment just released the the Kansas City Urban Summit . . . Kansas City Activist Gwen Grant shares her perspective on a critical vote for Jackson County. 

A few important takeaways before we get out of the way . . .

- Kansas City community leaders have been working to achieve an African-American prosecutor for at least two decades. The upcoming election is probably their best shot. 

- There's good info here about campaign fundraising but let's be clear: This is an endorsement letter and not just a call for unity. 

- Our conservative friend Pete Mundo is correct he tells us that the upcoming vote for Jackson County Prosecutor is likely the most important decision that this town has confronted in a decade. 

Now here's the word sent our way by BAD-ASS INSIDERS . . . 

Unfiltered Truth: United We Stand, Divided We Fail

By, Gwendolyn Grant, president & CEO, Urban League of Greater Kansas City

As we approach this pivotal election cycle, it is imperative for leaders from Kansas City's neighborhood organizations, political clubs, and civil rights groups to unite in electing a transformational individual to succeed Jean Peters Baker as Jackson County Prosecutor. The stakes are incredibly high in the upcoming August Primary. Three Democrats—Stephanie Burton, John Gromowsky, and Melesa Johnson—are vying for the opportunity to face off against the Republican candidate in the November general election.

This election holds historic potential: we could elect the first African American and first person with roots on the east side of the city to serve as Jackson County Prosecutor. However, the harsh reality is that the presence of two Black women in the Primary race will likely split the Black vote and the progressive vote, handing a victory to Gromowsky, a pro-life, anti-choice conservative.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher:

Kansas City is currently ranked among the top five most violent cities in the country. In 2023, two-thirds of homicide victims were Black men. Moreover, Black men are disproportionately incarcerated in Missouri’s prison systems. Children are being shot and killed in our neighborhoods, and oftentimes, the perpetrators go unpunished.    These conditions make it our priority to elect a prosecutor whose lived experiences have prepared her to address these issues.

A Call for Unity:

Both Melesa Johnson and Stephanie Burton are eminently qualified and committed to implementing the initiatives and criminal justice reforms needed to reduce violent crime in Jackson County. Burton, a single mom and former public housing resident, is a skillful and crafty trial lawyer. Johnson, an Ivy League graduate born and raised in the urban core, is the KCMO Director of Public Safety with considerable experience collaborating with various groups fighting violent crime at the grassroots level.

If they both remain in the race, it is likely that neither will win.

Our community needs to rally behind the stronger of these two candidates based on electability metrics. We must consider who has raised the most money with the potential to raise more, secured the most endorsements, has the strongest community presence, and has the most county-wide support. The candidate who falls short on these metrics should withdraw from the race and support the other, thus uniting our efforts to ensure victory.

From my perspective, Melesa Johnson appears to be the stronger candidate as of now. A review of recent campaign filings shows that Stephanie Burton has raised only $33,507.47 compared to Melesa Johnson’s $63,151.00. While both candidates need to raise more funds, Burton, despite having the endorsement of the political club Freedom, Inc., appears to be severely handicapped in this area, raising a paltry $6,645 in the last quarter. Melesa raised $28,642.

Community visibility and county-wide support are essential indicators of candidate viability. Melesa Johnson is highly visible in neighborhood and community meetings that are focused on reducing violent crime. She has broad-based county-wide support that spans from Eastern Jackson County to the central city to the Brookside corridor to South Kansas City.

In contrast, Stephanie Burton is seldom seen at these high-impact community conclaves. However, the Burton campaign may have some undisclosed resources and a viable and compelling plan that provides a pathway to victory. If there is such a plan, she should share it.

A Call to Action:

Now is the time for altruism. The least electable candidate should act in the best interest of Jackson County rather than solely in pursuit of her personal career aspirations and withdraw from the race to support the most electable candidate.  A coalition of stakeholders comprised of civic, neighborhood, political, civil rights, and faith-based leaders and activists should convene a joint meeting with the two candidates to formulate a pathway forward that would result in the weaker candidate altruistically withdrawing from the race and magnanimously supporting the stronger candidate.

By uniting, we can increase the odds of electing a prosecutor who is culturally competent and capable of balancing law enforcement with restorative practices to better address the violent crimes that plague our city. United, we stand a better chance of driving meaningful change for Jackson County and ensuring justice for all. Divided, we fail.

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