Holland elected mayor, wins 56 percent of the vote

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

Six years ago, Mark Holland was elected as a Unified Government Commissioner.

Tonight, he's been elected mayor of Wyandotte County.

In a spirited race that heated up down the stretch, Holland defeated fellow Unified Government Commissioner Ann Murguia.

Holland won 56 percent of the vote, while Murguia won 43 percent.

Holland's campaign received a big boost early on with the endorsement of Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon.

“We’ve had such great success in the last 16 years,” Holland told the media after results came in. “People made a decision they want to continue on that same trajectory of success and growth knowing that we have great challenges still in front of us. But we are better able to address those challenges with the economic development engine we’ve developed (in Wyandotte County).”

Murguia, after finishing well behind in the primary, made up some of the gap - but not enough.

We'll have full results from all races pretty soon. 

Kansas City Week in Review profiles KCK mayor's race

In a separate debate held late last week, both commissioners Mark Holland and Ann Murguia offered up their visions for Wyandotte County in this mayoral debate held by KCPT. Below is the full 27-minute video, meaning that you should have plenty of content to base your vote on.

Final debate highlights: Candidates deny connection in flyers, both oppose HB 2069, ethics reform controversy discussed

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

In a 45-minute debate, it's tough to report on every single little detail.

However, I'll try to hit out the additional highlights real quick.

CANDIDATES DENY CONNECTIONS TO FLYERS

Both Mark Holland and Ann Murguia have been attacked by third-party political action committees in recent days after multiple flyers were distributed across Wyandotte County.

On Monday, both Murguia and Holland denied being connected to them.

The anti-Holland flyers point to Holland's votes to increase the mill levy in Wyandotte County. They were paid for by the Americans for Prosperity PAC.

"They have a problem with good government," Holland said.

The flyers targeting Murguia were funded by an organization called the WyCo JOBS PAC. One flyer attempted to connect Murguia to the Kansas Republican Party.

However, Murguia said she's been a "lifelong Democrat."

"The flyer itself is humorous," she said. "One side tries to connect me to the GOP and the other basically labels me a tax and spend Democrat," mentioning her votes for a sewer tax.

Holland said he reached out to Murguia after the flyers were mailed out.

"It upsets me when these third-party groups get involved," he said. "They discourage good people from running for office."

Mayoral candidates spar on property taxes in final debate

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

In a campaign that will determine the future of Wyandotte County, two votes in the past highlighted today's final debate between mayoral candidates Mark Holland and Ann Murguia.

Holland's two votes that raised the mill levy and Murguia's two votes against the mill levy increases.

Hosted by Steve Kraske of KCUR and The Kansas City Star, the debate opened up with discussion about the recent flyers that have swamped homes in Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan.

One flyer, paid for by the conservative-leaning Americans for Prospect PAC, targeted Holland's votes to raise the mill levy.

However, Holland defended his votes, saying that layoffs in both the police and fire department would have been inevitable if the mill levy was not increased.

"I feel it was the right thing to do," Holland said. "It was the wrong decision to vote against 10 percent of our police force."

Holland, who was elected along with Murguia to the Unified Government's Board of Commissioners in 2007, said the UG has done well in lowering the property tax burden since unification.

"You have to look long-term," Holland said. "If you've looked at our progress, you've seen the consistent decline of property taxes."

As Holland defended his votes in increasing the rates, Murguia defended her votes opposing the property tax increases.

"There were a lot more options instead of laying people off and increasing taxes," she said. "We have a quarter billion dollar budget. We need to determine what our priorities are. The Unified Government is trying to be everything for everyone."

Murguia equated the Unified Government's budget to the budget of a family.

"When you look at how to spend a paycheck, you determine what's best for both of you," she said. "It all comes down to priorities."

Holland countered that 80 percent of the UG budget is dedicated to salaries - and that 50 percent of it is for public safety.

"We didn't have any other options," he said, adding that 120 additional KCK residents would have lost jobs if the mill levy increase did not pass.

Murguia, the only UG commissioner who voted against the two recent property tax increases, again disagreed with the assessment that the property tax increases were the only options.

"There were lots of suggestions made (during the budget sessions)," she said. "More people continued to come forward for funding and additional funding was approved."

Murguia also pointed to her endorsements from the Kansas City, Kan., firefighters union, along with the endorsement from the Kansas City, Kan., police officers union, to counter the argument about public safety layoffs.

Both Murguia and Holland also claimed to be the courageous candidate for their votes.

"I stood alone," Murguia said, of being the only commissioner to vote against the property tax rate increase. "It's difficult going against the political machine."

Holland said the tough votes are needed to be a courageous leader.

"When you dial 911, that's paid for by a property tax," he said. "When (emergency services) arrive in eight minutes, that's paid for by a property tax. We need courageous leadership."

KCK mayoral candidates to debate one more time

If you haven't made up your mind after numerous political forums, there's still one opportunity for you to get to know the mayoral candidates.

Candidates Mark Holland and Ann Murguia will debate this morning (at 11 a.m.) at the Kansas City, Kan., Public Library.

The debate will be held at the main branch of the library at 625 Minnesota Ave.

If you're stuck in the office or don't want to battle for the limited parking spaces in the area, you can listen to it on the KCUR Website here.

Steve Kraske of The Kansas City Star and KCUR will host the debate.

MainStream Coalition: Anti-Holland flyer isn't ours

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

The MainStream Coalition organization is denying its involvement in anti-Mark Holland flyer that recently surfaced in Wyandotte County.

The flyer attacks Holland, who's running for Mayor/CEO of Wyandotte County. The flyer had the Mainstream Coalition name on it.

However, the group denies its involvement in the flyer and said it endorses Holland's candidacy for mayor.

Full statement from the group:

It has come to our attention that a mailer attacking Kansas City, Kansas, mayoral candidate Mark Holland was sent out under the Mainstream Coalition name. This IS NOT a mailer that Mainstream created or mailed.

It includes a post office box as a return address that IS NOT ours. In fact, Mainstream Coalition's PAC, MainPAC, has endorsed Holland in the race. 

Since we just learned about this fraudulant act within the last hour, we have many unanswered questions. We are doing our best right now to answer those questions, including who sent the mailer and from where and have lodged an official complaint with the KS Ethics Commission. We will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

According to the group's description, MainStream Coalition is a "membership organization that promotes the separation of church and state and public education, along along with other moderate principles, in the state of Kansas."

PHOTOS: Mayor's race gets personal in final days

Mayoral candidates Mark Holland and Ann Murguia have not really attacked each other at forums or other public debates.

You can't say the same, however, about political action committees.

Three different flyers went out this week, one targeting Holland and two targeting Murguia.

The anti-Holland flyer is courtesy of the Americans for Prosperity, a conservative-leaning PAC that focuses on economic policy. The flyer criticizes Holland's votes to increase the property taxes in Wyandotte County.

Meanwhile, the anti-Murguia flyers are from an PAC entitled "WyCo Jobs PAC." The flyers accuse Murguia of trying to "bankrupt Wyandotte County."

Photos of Murguia standing with Republican politicians including Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder are also included in the flyer.

VIDEO: Mark Holland vs. Ann Murguia

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

Below is the first of several candidate videos from last week's forum at KCKCC.

The first we feature is Mark Holland and Ann Murguia, two current Unified Government Commissioners seeking to become the next mayor and CEO of Wyandotte County.

It's 25 minutes long, but if you're interested in the election and still haven't made up your mind, it's recommended viewing.

It's one of the few forums where there were clear differences between the two mayoral candidates.

Enjoy!

Mayoral candidates meet again at KCKCC forum

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

Unified Government commissioners Mark Holland and Ann Murguia once again squared off Wednesday night at a political forum held at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Sponsored by the Kansas City, Kan., Chamber of Commerce, the forum held Wednesday night featured the mayoral candidates and Unified Government Board of Commissioners candidates.

The main event of the evening, of course, featured the two mayoral candidates looking to replace current Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon.

Holland, who won 48 percent of the vote in the primary, pointed to his representation of the entire county in his opening comments.

"I've been elected county-wide instead of just focusing on one part of the county," Holland said. "We need to continue the momentum in Wyandotte County."

Murguia, on the other hand, pointed to her work in her district in Argentine and Rosedale as evidence she's ready for the job.

"Redeveloping Western Wyandotte County is different than developing Eastern Wyandotte County," Murguia said, mentioning her work with ANDA and her efforts to help raise funds to build the new Argentine library.

Murguia receives endorsement from Bonner FOP

The Fraternal Order of Police 65 has endorsed Ann Murguia's candidacy for Mayor/CEO of Wyandotte County.

The FOP 65 represents police officers in the Bonner Springs, Kan., area.

Murguia also received the endorsement from the Kansas City, Kan., FOP last week.

WyCo Sheriff's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge endorses Mark Holland

Unified Government Commissioner Mark Holland has netted the endorsement of the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #40.

The organization endorsed Holland this week.

Holland is running for Mayor/CEO of Wyandotte County.

POLL: Who's your choice for the next Mayor/CEO of Wyandotte County?

Barnes, Ash lead several announced endorsements for Murguia campaign

Unified Government Commissioner and former mayoral candidate Nathan Barnes has endorsed Ann Murguia for Mayor/CEO of Wyandotte County.

Barnes' endorsement Saturday leads the way for one of several announced endorsements for the campaign.

He came in a close third in the mayoral primary - just behind Murguia, who finished second - and is the first ousted mayoral candidate to make an official endorsement.

"When Ann came on board, it was really a breath of fresh air," Barnes said this morning. "When I would talk to her, she would listen."

Barnes was not the only UG commissioner to make an endorsement for Murguia this morning.

Along with Barnes, Murguia also received the endorsements of current UG commissioners Mike Kane, Angela Markley, Butch Ellison and Terrance Maddox.

Murguia also received a key endorsement from the law enforcement wing of Wyandotte County today. Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash also announced his support for the Murguia campaign. 

Others who endorsed Murguia's candidacy today:

• Former Kansas City, Kan., mayor Joe Steineger

• Former UG commissioners Don DeSeure and Mike Gilstrap

• Former UG Chief Legal Counsel Hal Walker, who's also running for an at-large position on the UG Board of Commissioners.

After the "jump," a full list of the endorsements is available.

Murguia campaign promising "exciting endorsement" for Saturday

Unified Government Commissioner Ann Murguia, who also happens to be running for mayor of Wyandotte County, is promising an exciting endorsement for Saturday morning.

A ceremony will be held at the Jack Reardon Center at 500 Minnesota Ave.

The presentation will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 9. People interested in attending can get there as soon as 10:30 a.m.

Murguia and fellow UG commissioner Mark Holland were victorious in last week's primary.

For those of you on Facebook, here's a link to the "event page."

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: Mark Holland, UG Mayor/CEO

We continue our political questionnaires with Mark Holland. Holland, who was recently endorsed by current Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon, is currently on the UG Board of Commissioners. 

 1. What in your background (or what experience) makes you believe you are qualified to serve as mayor of Wyandotte County?

I am fourth generation Wyandotte County and third generation pastor in KCK. I have served the last 6 years on the UG Board of Commissioners, at-large Dist. 1.  As an at-large commissioner, I have been elected twice county-wide and I understand the big picture of looking at what is good for the entire community, not just one area.

2.    As a candidate, what would be your top three priorities as mayor if you’re elected mayor?

a.     Continue economic development that has brought 6,000 new jobs, and ensure that our citizens have training and mentorships for those jobs.

b.    Use the STAR bond payoff in 4 years to bring real property tax relief

c.    Continue to strategically invest in development throughout the city.

VIDEO: KCPT covers the Wyandotte County mayor's race

Kansas City Week in Review recently did a 28-minute show on the mayor's race in Wyandotte County.

All five candidates are included in this video, so if you have time and you're interested in the mayor's race, check this out.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: Ann Murguia, Unified Government Mayor/CEO

We continue looking at our political candidates today with Ann Murguia, a current Unified Government Commissioner who's running for mayor of Wyandotte County. This is the third mayoral candidate in our series. We'll be checking in with Janice Witt tomorrow. Thanks to all the candidates who have returned questionnaires so far!

1. What in your background (or what experience) makes you believe you are qualified to serve as mayor of Wyandotte County?

I am currently serving my second term as a Unified Government Commissioner.  I have an undergraduate degree in Human Services and a Masters degree in Business Administration.  I have been proud to be part of all the negotiations, planning and implementation of major projects like Cerner, Hollywood Casino, Sporting KC Park and the expansions at General Motors.

However, in addition to those large projects I have worked with residents, businesses and a variety of other organizations to raise millions in private dollars for curb and sidewalk, millions of dollars in new housing and hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring a new $3.2 million grocery store to a food desert in WYCO. In partnership with USD500 and a number of hard working, dedicated WYCO citizens, we were able to raise $2 million dollars in private funds for a brand new $6 million library.  These are some of my accomplishments that separate me from my opponents.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: Cordell Meeks III, Unified Government Mayor/CEO

Today's candidate questionnaire comes from Cordell Meeks, who's seeking the office of Mayor/CEO of Wyandotte County. We ran a questionnaire from Nathan Barnes earlier this week. We have commitments from two other mayor candidates, but have not heard from the fifth campaign.


1. What in your background (or what experience) makes you believe you are qualified to serve as mayor of Wyandotte County? 

I am running for Mayor of the city that I love. I have chosen to spend my entire life as a KCK resident. I passionately believe in the future of this city - and with your help, we will create a new generation of change and opportunity. We will create new economic development and improve our educational institutions. I believe, that with the help of business and community leaders and the input of our citizens, I can lead our community to the next level of success in economic development and education. I am a small business-owner. I work with corporate leaders across the metro and across the country. I have spent years working to improve our community, volunteering with many group, bringing people together to achieve success together. I believe all these experiences have prepared me to become CEO of the Unified Government of Kansas City, Kan., and Wyandotte County.

Armourdale Political Forum: Mayoral candidates

By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com 

NOTE: Since there are a lot of candidates and a lot of races in Wyandotte County, I'm going to try and focus my reporting on races that have primaries. In light of that, here's a report from tonight's Armourdale Forum, where all five mayoral candidates spoke. We'll have Unified Government commissioner recaps later in the evening. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order.

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NATHAN BARNES

Barnes, who's served as a commissioner on the Unified Government's Board of Commissioners since 1995, referred to his experience as his strongest suit.

"Experience really counts this election season," Barnes said. "Wyandotte County is on the verge of becoming a great, great place."

Barnes pointed to the economic growth across Wyandotte County as a sign that his leadership would work as mayor of the Unified Government.

"I have the blue-print of what it takes to succeed in Wyandotte County," Barnes said. "When you experiment with candidates, you open yourselves up to failure. You can experiment or vote for experience."

Barnes was the first candidate to declare for the race.

MARK HOLLAND

Like Barnes, Holland spoke of his record of experience as a commissioner for Wyandotte County.

"I've been elected twice by the whole city," Holland said, referring to his position as an at-large commissioner in Wyandotte  County. "We've had great success with growing jobs and we were building so much, we were ranked number eight in the nation in the area of construction."

Holland said a significant portion of the post-STAR BOND windfall expected to hit Wyandotte County should be spent on tax relief.

"We need to use that money to take a bite out of our property taxes," Holland said.

Holland was recently endorsed by out-going mayor Joe Reardon.

CORDELL MEEKS III

In contrary to the three UG commissioners running, Meeks III accepts the "political outsider" label like a badge of honor.

In an organized stump speech, Meeks hit on his points of priority for Wyandotte County - continued economic development, safer streets, prioritizing education and keep property taxes lower.

"We have to look at new innovative ways at doing these things," Meeks said.

Meeks, a small-business owner in Wyandotte County, said political experience is not necessarily needed to make good things happen as an elected official.

"You don't have to be on the board of commissioners to have a passion and vision for where Wyandotte County can and should be," Meeks said. "I can be a leader who takes us to the next level of success."

ANN MURGUIA

In her limited time, Murguia pointed to two specific issues in her speech - development east of Interstate 635 and property taxes.

"You need someone with a proven track record of economic development in the urban core," Murguia said. "We must start having more success east of I-635. Our tax base east of I-635 is declining more rapidly than our increase out west."

Murguia represents Argentine and Rosedale on the commission. She said District 3 has had major growth and that's in part to her working with the community in those two areas.

She also pointed to two votes she has made as commissioner as a big reason why voters should support her.

"I'm the only candidate up here who has never raised your property taxes (when it was possible)," Murguia said, referring to her votes opposing two mill levy increases during her elected career.

JANICE WITT

In her speech, Witt said her candidacy is about changing the status quo.

"Having more of the same in Wyandotte County means more nothing for the actual residents of Wyandotte County," Witt said. "We were promised that this economic development was going to lower our property taxes. It hasn't."

Like Meeks III, Witt has never been elected to office.

She said she would work to make the community more involved.

Candidate Questionnaire: Nathan Barnes, Unified Government Mayor/CEO

Another day, another candidate questionnaire or profile. Today we have our first mayoral candidate - Nathan Barnes. Barnes has served on the Unified Government's Board of Commissioners for 18 years. He was the first person to declare his candidacy, doing so even before current UG Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon announced that he wasn't running again. 

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1. What in your background (or what experience) makes you believe you are qualified to serve as mayor of Wyandotte County?

My 18 years in elected office as first district city councilman and first district county commissioner. I participated in the making of all the success that we are experiencing now in Wyandotte County. I have my personal fingerprint on all of the developers’ agreements on all projects out west and throughout the county.

2. As a candidate, what would be your top three priorities as mayor if you’re elected mayor?

Lowering taxes, jobs for Wyandotte County residents, and the stabilization of our transportation system

3. A two-part question - What distinguishes you as the top candidate for this position and what differences should voters in Wyandotte County look at before making their choice?

My 18 years of experience distinguishes me as the top candidate. The voters should look for the mayor’s ability to unify the elected body. Your history of promoting togetherness or fracturing the elected body should determine your future as the mayor.

4.    In the next three to four years, millions of dollars will become available after the city finishes off paying bonds that were issued to increase the economic development in Western Wyandotte County. As the mayor, how would you encourage that money to be spent?

I would first encourage the commissioners not to spend it before they get it. I would encourage the commissioners to spend some of it on lowering taxes, strengthening the reserve fund, to fill critical vacant departmental positions and a very limited amount to balance the budget.

5.    What in your opinion are the three biggest challenges facing Wyandotte County? If you feel there are more than three to list, feel free to.

The three biggest challenges facing Wyandotte County are: high taxes, jobs for residents and the revitalization of the urban core (especially Indian Springs).

Other concerns that rate high on my list are diversified housing for the influx of newly created jobs, transportation to get to those jobs, the access to healthy foods also known as “food deserts”, reserve fund balance, and the many unfunded mandates by the EPA.

6.    Do you feel the Unified Government can do more to increase growth in areas outside of Western Wyandotte County, particularly the northeast part of Wyandotte County?

Yes. To do so requires that we make a long-term investment and commitment to the urban core and to employ a developer that specializes in urban core development. This effort could reap the same rewards as those being had in the western area of our county.