It may be an off year politically, but Wyandotte County voters are facing big decisions in 2025 during the Aug. 5 primary and Nov. 4 general election for the county’s mayor and Board of Commissioners.
The 11-person Board of Commissioners, similar to a city council, is in charge of managing Wyandotte County’s budget, development, police and other services.
Half of that board is up for election this year, including in District 8, where incumbent Andrew Davis will defend his seat from three challengers in the 2025 primary.
District 8 covers northcentral Kansas City, Kansas, roughly bound by 78th Street to the west, the Kansas River to the south, 59th Street to the east and the Missouri River to the north. (You can see the map here.)
To prepare for this year’s Unified Government election, The Beacon reached out to all candidates in the four competitive primary races with a three-part questionnaire. These questionnaires include biographical questions, five short-answer policy questions and five lightning-round, yes-or-no questions. Some responses have been edited for length or clarity.
Following the 2025 primary election on Aug. 5, two candidates will be eliminated, and the other two will proceed to the general election on Nov. 4.
The four candidates in the District 8 race are Davis, Jacob Handy, Madella Henderson and Nanette Tucker.
All four candidates received the questionnaire, but Henderson did not respond.
Click on a link to jump to a section of the questionnaire:
- Meet the candidates.
- What would you do to improve public safety?
- What kinds of developments would you prioritize in Wyandotte County?
- What parts of the budget would you be willing to trim in order to balance the budget? Are there any parts of the budget that are nonnegotiable for you?
- Do you believe the Unified Government should do more to cooperate with or resist the deportation of Wyandotte County residents?
- If elected, what issues will you make your own?
- Lightning-round questions.
Meet the candidates
Andrew Davis
Davis is a senior program manager at Community Capital Fund. He is the incumbent in this district.
What’s your favorite place in Wyandotte County, and why?
Kaw Point Park. It’s peaceful, has a great view of the river and is filled with rich history.
What organization in Wyandotte County is doing community work that you admire?
Black Mastermind Group. They are investing in the education, networks and business acumen of entrepreneurs right here in Wyandotte County.
Jacob Handy
Handy is an educator, mentor, film director and producer.
What’s your favorite place in Wyandotte County, and why?
Wyandotte County Lake. It’s peaceful, beautiful and a great place to reflect and recharge.
What organization in Wyandotte County is doing community work that you admire?
KC United Youth Sports. They give kids structure, mentorship and real opportunities on and off the field.
Madella Henderson
Henderson did not respond to the questionnaire.
Nanette Tucker
Tucker works in transportation for children with behavioral issues and special needs.
What’s your favorite place in Wyandotte County, and why?
I can’t pick a favorite place. There are so many places I love here.
What organization in Wyandotte County is doing community work that you admire?
I appreciate Livable Neighborhoods for trying their best to help community groups and people navigate an unfair system to its residents, and the Humane Society for the struggle they have with limited funds and overcrowding
What would you do to improve public safety?
Davis: Wyandotte County’s crime rate has steadily decreased since COVID-19, a trend we’re committed to continuing. I’d boost community engagement with law enforcement through programs like the cadet initiative, expungement fairs and Tackling Conflict Together. Crucially, we must also improve conditions so people aren’t driven to crime. This means ongoing investment in our Parks and Recreation Department, developing housing options for all income levels, and connecting residents to vital resources for financial assistance, job training and education. These efforts will undoubtedly enhance public safety and well-being across our community.
Handy: Focus on prevention — expand youth programs, mental health services and job training. Build stronger relationships between police and the communities they serve.
Tucker: First, listen to the community’s concerns. We need to build and strengthen community-based safety programs and address the root causes of crime. The community needs better transparency to build community trust we are currently lacking.
What kinds of developments would you prioritize in Wyandotte County?
Davis: Housing is a top priority. We need more options for all income levels, including market-rate and senior housing. I strongly support mixed-use developments that integrate housing, transportation and jobs, similar to KCATA’s Redbud project in my district. We also need to fill the gap in essential services east of 69th Street. This means attracting more grocery stores, dining options, medical offices and diverse retail, including both small and corporate businesses. I advocate for strategic development that repopulates our community and meets constituent needs, both current and future.
Handy: Projects that benefit the community — affordable housing, support for small businesses and neighborhood improvements. I value development that creates local jobs and keeps residents in place.
Tucker: I believe small business and local retail can help our community. Encouraging locally owned instead of the everyday big chains. Bring in truly affordable housing. I support projects where the community would benefit, essential services like grocery stores and child care, job offers for locals and not just outside contractors. Developers that truly listen to the residents and actually take their concerns to heart.
What parts of the budget would you be willing to trim in order to balance the budget? Are there any parts of the budget that are nonnegotiable for you?
Davis: After cutting $12 million last year, I do not believe more cuts are the answer to our budget woes this year. We must invest in our community and review all revenue options to balance the budget. One idea I have already proposed is that we file damage claims to public property to recoup revenue that should be the responsibility of insurance companies and not Wyandotte County taxpayers. We must grow our way to prosperity. We have cut enough.
Handy: I’d cut waste — unnecessary contracts, outside consultants and bloated admin costs. Core services like safety, infrastructure and family support are nonnegotiable.
Tucker: Public safety is nonnegotiable for me, including police, fire and emergency medical services. We can hold off on so many nonprofit donations and stop letting developers take advantage of our community (where they pay no taxes until it’s built).
Do you believe the Unified Government should do more to cooperate with or resist the deportation of Wyandotte County residents?
Davis: Our federal immigration system is broken, with a pathway to citizenship that is both lengthy and expensive. This federal issue unfortunately burdens us at the local level. However, local law enforcement lacks the resources and is overwhelmed and understaffed to handle federal immigration enforcement. Their focus should remain on core local public safety needs, not tasks best addressed by the federal government.
Handy: No. The UG should focus on protecting families and communities, not helping separate them.
Tucker: Cooperating with or resisting deportation is set by state and federal laws, not by commissioners. As a commissioner my job would be to protect all residents, not pass judgment.
If elected, what issues will you make your own?
Davis: My focus is on responsibly diversifying our revenue, starting with new streams to lessen reliance on property taxes. I’ll aggressively reduce Land Bank inventory, bringing in fresh revenue for our community. To support our seniors, I’ll host resource fairs, improving access to rebate programs. Continued support for animal services is also key. Learn more about my platforms and track record at andrewdavisforug.org.
Handy: Lowering property taxes, accountability for BPU, cleaning up neighborhoods and creating real economic opportunities — especially for longtime residents.
Tucker: Being VERY transparent with the community and actually listening. Push for audits of where money is actually going and holding the line on taxes unless services improve.
Lightning round questions
Candidates were asked for a yes-or-no position in response to these five questions:
- Would you support using taxpayer money to pay for a stadium for the Chiefs or Royals?
- Would you support a proposal to dissolve the Unified Government, separating Kansas City, Kansas, from Wyandotte County?
- Would you support a property tax revenue freeze?
- Would you support a regional sales tax to support public transportation?
- Would you support increasing the salaries of the mayor and commissioners?
