LOZA. A WOMAN WAS ALSO HURT. AND MORE BREAKING NEWS ON THE FUTURE OF JACKSON COUNTY EXECUTIVE FRANK WHITE. GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. I’M CHRIS KETZ. AND I’M KELLY ECKERMAN IN FOR LAURA TONIGHT. WHITE SAYS HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION. AND THIS COMES JUST AS VOTERS ARE DECIDING WHETHER TO RECALL HIM FROM OFFICE. KMBC JACKSON KURTZ HAS REACTION FROM THE KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI ELECTION BOARD OFFICE AS SOME EARLY VOTING HAS BEGUN. IS HE IN OR IS HE OUT? JACKSON COUNTY EXECUTIVE FRANK WHITE SENDING A LETTER TO COUNTY ASSOCIATES THAT HE WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION, BUT AT THE SAME TIME SAYING HE MAY RECONSIDER RUNNING AGAIN. I’M SURPRISED, BUT I DON’T THINK IT’S GOING TO MATTER. WHITE’S RECALL ELECTION VOTE IS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 30TH. A RECALL WHITE SAYS HE STILL PLANS TO FIGHT AFTER OPPONENTS PUSH THIS RECALL ELECTION OVER HIS HANDLING OF THE HIGH PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS. I THINK HE THINKS IT’S BECAUSE OF THE STADIUM, AND I BELIEVE THE PEOPLE THINK IT’S BECAUSE OF THE TAX HIKES ON THE PROPERTY, AND HE’S NOT IN TOUCH WITH THAT. THE COUNTY EXEC SHARING HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE LETTER. LIKE A NEW JAIL, A NEW HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND MILLIONS IN IMPROVEMENTS TO OTHER FACILITIES. I THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY APPALLING. AND THAT’S WHY HE DESERVES TO BE VOTED OUT. BUT SOME SAY THE DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. FRANK WHITE, OPPONENT AND COUNTY LEGISLATOR SEAN SMITH CALLED TODAY’S NEWS DISAPPOINTING. AND IN THAT LETTER, FRANK WHITE SAID THAT SERVING AS THE COUNTY EXEC HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST HONORS OF HIS LIFE. PUTTING A LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT’S HAPPENED AS WELL. YOU CAN READ THAT FULL LETTER ON OUR WEBSITE, KMBC.COM FROM JACKSON COUNTY. JACKSON KURTZ KMBC NINE NEWS. AND AS WE HAVE SAID, SOME ABSENTEE VOTING HAS STARTED. IN FACT, IT STARTED YESTERDAY IN JACKSON COUNTY. JACKSON COUNTIANS CAN VOTE NOW WITH AN EXCUSE AT A COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE ON NORTH LIBERTY IN INDEPENDENCE. IF YOU LIVE IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, SOUTH OF THE RIVER, YOU CAN GO TO THE CITY ELECTION BOARD OFFICE ON MLK BOULEVARD. FOR NOW, YOU NEED TO HAVE AN EXCUSE TO VOTE EARLY. BUT AFTER SEPTEMBER 16TH, YOU CAN VOTE EARLY WITHOUT AN EXCUSE. ELECTION DAY IS SEPTEMBER 30TH, AND IF YOU HAVEN’T REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THIS ELECTION, WE HAVE TH
In a letter sent to county staff, embattled Jackson Co. Executive Frank White says he will not seek reelection
White is facing a recall election in September
Updated: 6:45 PM CDT Aug 20, 2025
In a letter to Jackson County associates this week, Jackson County Executive Frank White says he doesn’t plan to run for reelection — but then again, he may reconsider. White starts the letter, which was sent Wednesday, saying, “I want you to hear this from me, even though some of you may have already seen it in the news. I had intended to share it with you first, but the pace of recent events prevented that, and for that I sincerely apologize.”White goes on to say, “After much prayer, reflection, and discussion with my family, I have decided that I do not plan to seek re-election as Jackson County Executive when my term ends next year.”White, who is facing an ongoing recall effort and tough relationships with other county leadership, went on to say that this was not an easy decision, and that he remains proud of the work the county has accomplished. He also addresses that recall effort, saying that he is fighting it in court, and if necessary, will fight it at the ballot box.”I will not allow political games, misinformation, or personal agendas to undo the progress we have made for the people of Jackson County,” he wrote.White then gets candid in the letter. “There is part of me that could reconsider,” he said. “I have real concerns about the motivations of some individuals currently serving on, or working for, the legislature. Still, my hope in sharing this now is to provide enough time for strong, qualified leaders to step forward — not only for County Executive, but also for legislative seats — leaders who will put the people of Jackson County first.”White mentions a compensation study at the county level, as well as the new jail, new health department, new administrative building, and pension funding, as meaningful accomplishments made by the county.He also says, “For too long, elected officials in this county focused on political games, personal favors, and self-interest. I am proud to have pushed back on that old way of doing business.”White thanked the county associates for their dedication and professionalism before ending the letter saying, “It is the privilege of my life to lead this team and serve alongside you.”White’s letter comes after a contentious history between White and the county legislators, as well as a mixed public opinion on White’s leadership, with many calling for his removal from the post.The recall election scheduled for Sept. 30 will determine his immediate fate in office. The recall election was approved after community members secured nearly 43,000 petition signatures in support of the recall. The petition effort required 42,902 signatures, which is 25% of Jackson County.White has previously called the recall efforts a “distraction” and said he will continue to fight for the people of Jackson County.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
In a letter to Jackson County associates this week, Jackson County Executive Frank White says he doesn’t plan to run for reelection — but then again, he may reconsider.
White starts the letter, which was sent Wednesday, saying, “I want you to hear this from me, even though some of you may have already seen it in the news. I had intended to share it with you first, but the pace of recent events prevented that, and for that I sincerely apologize.”
[Click here to read the letter]
White goes on to say, “After much prayer, reflection, and discussion with my family, I have decided that I do not plan to seek re-election as Jackson County Executive when my term ends next year.”
White, who is facing an ongoing recall effort and tough relationships with other county leadership, went on to say that this was not an easy decision, and that he remains proud of the work the county has accomplished.
He also addresses that recall effort, saying that he is fighting it in court, and if necessary, will fight it at the ballot box.
“I will not allow political games, misinformation, or personal agendas to undo the progress we have made for the people of Jackson County,” he wrote.
White then gets candid in the letter.
“There is part of me that could reconsider,” he said. “I have real concerns about the motivations of some individuals currently serving on, or working for, the legislature. Still, my hope in sharing this now is to provide enough time for strong, qualified leaders to step forward — not only for County Executive, but also for legislative seats — leaders who will put the people of Jackson County first.”
White mentions a compensation study at the county level, as well as the new jail, new health department, new administrative building, and pension funding, as meaningful accomplishments made by the county.
He also says, “For too long, elected officials in this county focused on political games, personal favors, and self-interest. I am proud to have pushed back on that old way of doing business.”
White thanked the county associates for their dedication and professionalism before ending the letter saying, “It is the privilege of my life to lead this team and serve alongside you.”
White’s letter comes after a contentious history between White and the county legislators, as well as a mixed public opinion on White’s leadership, with many calling for his removal from the post.
The recall election scheduled for Sept. 30 will determine his immediate fate in office. The recall election was approved after community members secured nearly 43,000 petition signatures in support of the recall. The petition effort required 42,902 signatures, which is 25% of Jackson County.
White has previously called the recall efforts a “distraction” and said he will continue to fight for the people of Jackson County.