KC 2019 primary results: Justus and Lucas advance, pre-K tax rejected, City Council field narrowed

A current member of the Kansas City Council — either Jolie Justus or Quinton Lucas — will succeed Sly James as the next mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, voters decided yesterday.

Justus came out on top of the field of 11 candidates, gaining just under 23 percent of the dismal turnout — only 40,180 ballots cast, which is less than 20 percent of voters registered in KC. Lucas came in four points behind her. Behind Lucas was Alissia Canady and Steve Miller, but only the top two advance.

Justus moving on to the general election, which will take place on June 18, is not a huge surprise. The first-term 4th District at-large councilwoman was widely viewed as a frontrunner in the race. She raised more money than everybody else and had Sly’s endorsement, among others.

If elected, Justus would be the first LGBTQ mayor of Kansas City. Out of the 11 candidates, Justus was the candidate whose views most closely reflect that of our current mayor. She told The Pitch back in February that she and Mayor James share a similar vision for the city, but that she would be more of a collaborator and take the time to bring diverse viewpoints to the table before making decisions.

Read more: https://www.thepitchkc.com/news/article/21062737/kansas-city-2019-primary-results-justus-and-lucas-advance-prek-tax-rejected-city-council-field-narrowed