No matter the outcome, this year will mark a turning point at the Jackson County Courthouse.
Every four years, the county executive and every seat on the Jackson County Legislature goes up for election. But this time, at least two-thirds of the legislature will be fresh faces.
Only three of nine current legislators are running for reelection — Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton and Venessa Huskey. All three are facing primary challenges.
Jackson County voters will head to the polls on Aug. 4 for the first round of elections for the legislature and county executive races. To learn more about the county executive primary, click here.
In the 1st and 2nd at-large districts, incumbents Anderson and Peyton, respectively, are facing off against primary challengers. Huskey’s reelection campaign in the 2nd District will be covered in a future questionnaire.
All county voters will have a say in the two at-large elections, but the candidates themselves must live in the at-large district they seek to represent. You can see a map of those districts here.
The 1st At-Large District includes the northeastern parts of the county. The 2nd At-Large District includes most of Kansas City north of 77th Street.
Anderson is running in the 1st At-Large District against challengers Carla Fields and Justice Horn. Peyton is facing former Kansas City Councilman Brandon Ellington in the 2nd At-Large District.
Susan B. Wilson is the only candidate running for the 3rd At-Large District. Wilson is a Democrat, and there is no Republican candidate.
The county legislature is the primary governing body for Jackson County, which passes the yearly budget and votes on laws affecting the county government. The county is also responsible for assessing property values and collecting property taxes on behalf of school districts and other taxing jurisdictions.
The Beacon reached out to all five candidates in the two competitive at-large legislature primaries, asking them to answer a three-part questionnaire. (The Beacon will cover in-district races in coming days.) The questionnaires include biographical questions, five short-answer policy questions and five lightning-round, multiple-choice questions. Some responses have been edited for length or clarity.
All five candidates received the questionnaire by email. Anderson told The Beacon he could not respond to the questionnaire due to a personal matter.
Click on a link to jump to a section in the questionnaire:
- Meet the candidates.
- What would you do to make property taxes more fair?
- The 3/8-cent sales tax funding Truman Sports Complex will expire in 2031. When it expires, should the county ask voters to renew it? Or let it expire?
- What, if anything, should be done with Truman Sports Complex once the teams’ leases expire?
- How would you encourage a cooperative and collaborative tone among your colleagues in the legislature and with the executive?
- If elected, what issues will you make your own?
- Lightning-round questions.
Meet the candidates
At-Large District 1
Carla Fields
Fields is an attorney with the law firm Fields & Brown, which she said is the oldest minority-owned law firm in Missouri.
She represents the Hickman Mills C-1 School District as general counsel and served as president of the Jackson County Bar Association, the regional director for the National Bar Association and vice president of the National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms.
She has served on the Mazuma Credit Union board of directors for nine years.
You can learn more about Fields’ campaign at her campaign website and her Facebook page.
What organization in Jackson County is doing community work you admire?
I have been a member of Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. for 25 years. I am extremely proud of the service that all the local chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha provide to Jackson County. I also admire the work of several organizations that support children, women and families like Newhouse, Hope House, Amethyst Place, Community LINC and Jackson County CASA.
Justice Horn
Horn is an activist who previously served on the Kansas City, Missouri, LGBTQ Commission. He is a student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he is completing a master’s degree in public administration. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration and teaches Business 101 as an adjunct professor.
He previously ran for the county legislature in 2022, when he was defeated by Manny Abarca in the Democratic primary for the 1st District.
You can learn more about Horn’s campaign at his campaign website or at his “Justice Horn for Jackson County” pages on various social media.
What organization in Jackson County is doing community work you admire?
There are too many organizations on the sidelines, and I admire organizations that consistently show up for the community. That includes the AFT Local 691, KCMO branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Working Families Party KC, Democratic Socialists Kansas City Chapter, KC Tenants, Indivisible KC with No Kings Protest, and Sen. Bernie Sanders — who endorsed me in this 1st District At-Large race! These people always show up and I admire them for that.
Jalen Anderson
Anderson is the incumbent county legislator representing the 1st At-Large District, a position he has held since 2019.
He did not respond to The Beacon’s questionnaire this year, but he completed our previous questionnaire in 2022, and you can read his answers here.
You can learn more about Anderson’s campaign at his Facebook page.
At-Large District 2
Donna Peyton
Peyton is the incumbent county legislator representing the 2nd At-Large District, a position she has held since 2023. She chairs the Budget Committee and founded the Housing & Homelessness Committee.
Before being elected to the legislature in 2022, she was on the Raytown C-2 School District board.
You can learn more about Peyton’s campaign on Facebook and on Instagram.
Brandon Ellington
Ellington is a former Kansas City councilman, who was elected to represent the city’s 3rd District at large in 2019. Melissa Patterson Hazley unseated him in 2023.
Before his time on the City Council, he was a state representative from 2011 until 2019. He was the Democratic whip in 2019 and chaired the Black Caucus from 2017 until 2019.
You can learn more about Ellington’s campaign at his campaign website, and he said he is also very active on Facebook.
What organization in Jackson County is doing community work you admire?
There are several organizations that I admire. So instead of picking one I will answer it this way. I’m looking forward to working with organizations that address healthcare concerns, homelessness, juvenile/youth programs and senior service providers. Once elected to the county, I am looking to fully engage with our nonprofit sector to increase opportunities in services for residents of Jackson County.
What would you do to make property taxes more fair?
Fields (At-Large District 1):
- Publish the valuation method: Show the comparable sales, inspection status and reason for increase. Clarify the assessment process and communicate honestly with residents.
- Fair appeals process: Justify the valuations and strengthen the independence of the Board of Equalization. Residents should know the specific documents needed to appeal.
- Clear communication: Send notices that explain values, percentage changes and the appeal process.
- Equity audits: Regularly test assessments by geography, demographics and property type to catch systematic errors.
- Accessible support: Offer in-person help, online tools and assistance for seniors, disabled residents and those without internet access.
- Independent review: Use outside experts to validate assessments before notices are issued.
Horn (At-Large District 1): As the only candidate in this race with a background in finance, economics and taxation, I have a plan to bring stability to our property tax system. End the county’s contract with Tyler Technologies, implement a 2.5% cap on property tax increases, move to a four-year assessment rather than two, create flexible payment plan options for homeowners to pay on their bills throughout the year and ensure private equity firms cannot buy up homes on the county courthouse steps. My goal is to keep people in their homes and make sure we never face another property tax crisis again. The incumbent has been in office for close to a decade. We cannot elect them back to oversee another crisis.
Peyton (At-Large District 2): Our role as legislators is important when it comes to oversight. I am committed to working to ensure the assessment process is fair and transparent. Our homeowners must be protected, and we must build public trust. Our appeals process must be strengthened to make it easier for homeowners, seniors and small businesses to utilize their right to appeal. We also must provide outreach so residents can better understand exemptions, deadlines and any special programs.
Ellington (At-Large District 2): I’ve been talking about property tax reforms since before I was running for Jackson County. I believe our county can take several steps to protect the taxpayers, ranging from tax credits and abatement plans to payment processes. Work with school districts and the local municipalities to figure out possibilities when it comes to the levies. When looking at our tax burdens, I think creativity and engagement goes a long way.
The 3/8-cent sales tax funding Truman Sports Complex will expire in 2031. When it expires, should the county ask voters to renew it? Or let it expire?
Fields (At-Large District 1): Requesting any continuation of the tax will require thought and collaboration between community leaders and residents. The 3/8-cent sales tax could be divided up into smaller funds that support targeted projects or programs across the county, but the county must demonstrate a need to earn support from voters. If we let the 3/8-cent sales tax expire, there will likely be other sales taxes adopted or increased over the next few years, so we must think broadly about the countywide sales tax base and how high that sales tax can go before it is too much for residents. I would collaborate with constituents and listen to public input before asking voters to renew or replace the existing tax.
Horn (At-Large District 1): Start investing into a long-term strategy like a countywide transit system.
Peyton (At-Large District 2): Only if fiscally responsible. While 2031 may seem far away, planning for the future of the Truman Sports Complex must begin now. I serve on the Advisory Committee established by Interim County Executive Phil LeVota to work with the task force evaluating future options for the site. I do not support automatically renewing the current 3/8-cent sales tax. If, after careful planning and public engagement, a renewal is justified, it should have a clearly defined purpose and strong accountability. My priority is ensuring any decision is fiscally responsible and reflects the needs and priorities of Jackson County residents.
Ellington (At-Large District 2): You cannot ask voters to renew a tax without a plan for the area. So the most pressing issue would be creating an economic development plan that would benefit the taxpayers. I think the surrounding area needs to be invested in, and unfortunately, the Chiefs leaving gives us an opportunity to utilize the space. However, without a plan, renewing a tax wouldn’t be possible.
What, if anything, should be done with Truman Sports Complex once the teams’ leases expire?
Fields (At-Large District 1): Without the Chiefs or the Royals utilizing the Truman Sports Complex, the stadiums will need to be repurposed, demolished or completely abandoned. Redevelopment of the area around the Truman Sports Complex has been slow or nonexistent over the years, and leaving the stadiums completely abandoned could become a big public safety concern and liability for the county. Demolishing the stadiums will require the county to incur a massive expense. Our best hope would be to attract businesses or events that could properly utilize these venues. Hosting the World Cup at Arrowhead has shown the potential that the Truman Sports Complex has to offer.
Horn (At-Large District 1): Unlike the incumbent who has voted to demolish the stadiums, let’s look at taking care of what we have. Redevelopment, affordable housing, a UMKC Division I football team, a transit hub, another pro or semi-pro team, a new municipal auditorium, an entertainment district or even preserving part of the site as a museum or historic landmark. That’s the future of the Truman Sports Complex — not a future that benefits the billionaires.
Peyton (At-Large District 2): The future of the Truman Sports Complex should be guided by thoughtful planning, community input and long-term economic benefit. As a member of the Advisory Committee working with the task force established by Interim County Executive Phil LeVota, I believe we should evaluate all viable options before making decisions. Potential uses could include mixed-use development, housing, recreation, commercial space or other projects that create jobs, generate revenue and serve residents. Any redevelopment should maximize the property’s value, be fiscally responsible and reflect the priorities of Jackson County taxpayers.
Ellington (At-Large District 2): It should be developed. I would promote keeping it entertainment- and tourism-oriented. I’ve always wondered why there was no entertainment district surrounding the Chiefs or Royals. I think we missed that original opportunity. However, the land and possibilities of developing along that highway corridor are great. I would like to see economic density in that area. To acquire this, I believe the county should engage in a bilateral listening session and engagement series, with both Independence and Kansas City, to get the ball rolling.
How would you encourage a cooperative and collaborative tone among your colleagues in the legislature and with the executive?
Fields (At-Large District 1): One of the differentiators between my opponents and myself is my professional experience dealing with conflict. Through my legal practice, I help parties identify common ground, work through disagreements and reach practical solutions. I have built relationships throughout my career by listening, collaborating and engaging with people who may have different perspectives and priorities. My approach begins with communication and engagement early in the process. I believe many conflicts can be avoided by encouraging regular communication, identifying concerns early and focusing discussions on facts, outcomes and the needs of residents rather than personalities or politics.
Horn (At-Large District 1): I would remind my peers that we’re there to serve residents, not ourselves. As a former football player, NCAA wrestler and current rugby player, I’ve learned that success comes from teamwork. You also check your ego at the door because this ain’t about me, it’s about we.
Peyton (At-Large District 2): Effective government is built on respectful relationships, open communication and a shared commitment to serving the public. I would continue fostering collaboration by listening to differing perspectives, treating colleagues and the executive with professionalism and respect. While we may not always agree, we can work together to find practical solutions that put the interests of Jackson County residents ahead of politics. Collaboration, transparency and accountability are essential to restoring public trust and delivering results.
Ellington (At-Large District 2): This is the easiest question. Speak honestly and transparently. This has served me well in my career. I learned early on that we don’t have to agree as long as we can respect each other. Respect starts with understanding, which comes from communication.
If elected, what issues will you make your own?
Fields (At-Large District 1):
- Restoring trust: Residents need a reason to believe that county government can work. I will show up and listen to ensure every corner of the county is represented. The legislature must show it can work toward progress together.
- Property tax reform: Our assessment process must be fixed, ensuring that mistakes or procedural errors do not unfairly disadvantage homeowners or businesses who have chosen Jackson County as their home. This is a top priority.
- Modern and reliable infrastructure: The county should prioritize transportation so residents can connect to jobs and support basic needs. Growth and investment must benefit all communities — including neighborhoods that have historically been overlooked.
Horn (At-Large District 1): I will champion a countywide public transit system, a guaranteed jobs program and transit corridors to spur affordable housing. I’ll also fight for a permanent ban on data centers, Flock cameras and the surveillance state in Jackson County. I’m proud to be the only candidate in this race endorsed by Bernie Sanders because our campaign is taking on the affordability crisis and standing up to the AI industry.
Peyton (At-Large District 2): If reelected, I will continue to champion issues that strengthen Jackson County and improve residents’ quality of life. My priorities include restoring public trust through transparency and accountability, ensuring responsible fiscal stewardship, expanding housing opportunities and addressing homelessness, supporting seniors and vulnerable residents, strengthening public safety and investing in infrastructure and economic development. I will continue building partnerships that deliver practical, measurable results for the people of Jackson County.
Ellington (At-Large District 2): Honestly, every issue I get involved with. When it comes to health services and seniors, I understand from observation how hard it is. I personally don’t have health issues, and I’m young enough not to be old. But l watch how the elderly are targeted and often fall victim to their own immobility. How the poor are conditioned to die young with bad healthcare options, while crime and homelessness appear to be institutionalized business. I still believe policies codified in law under our current system is the only way to have long-term protections. So I’ll take every piece of legislation that I file personally.
Lightning-round questions
Candidates were asked for a yes-or-no position in response to these five questions:
- If a question is put to Jackson County voters asking to impose a half-cent sales tax for public transportation, will you be voting yes or no?
- Do you support or oppose refunding certain 2023 property taxes with tax credits, at the expense of the school districts?
- Do you support or oppose the Missouri legislature’s proposal to eliminate the state income tax?
- Do you support or oppose the use of public dollars (including potential property tax revenues in the form of tax abatement) for data center construction?
Candidates were also asked which county executive candidate they are supporting.
Horn endorsed Stacy Lake for county executive. Fields, Peyton and Ellington either said they were undecided or chose not to make an endorsement. Anderson did not respond to the questionnaire.
