Kansas City's mayor will not run for Congress after months of speculation

Kacen Bayless, The Kansas City Star on Mar 30, 2026

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas on Monday announced he will not run for Congress this year after months of speculation about whether he would seize on a new congressional map passed by Republican lawmakers.

Lucas, 41, made the announcement in a video and press release early Monday morning, solidifying that he will remain mayor through the rest of his final term, which ends in August 2027.

“I won’t be on the ballot in 2026, but I plan to support a whole lot of folks who will be — ensuring that we elect people who are standing for each and every one of you,” Lucas said in the video, “And that we continue our work to ensure that the America that we know is one that cares about our people and builds opportunity for all.”

The announcement came one day before the candidate filing deadline for the 2026 election. As late as last week, Lucas had floated a potential campaign against U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, a Republican who represents Missouri’s 4th Congressional District.

A challenge from Lucas, a high-profile, experienced politician, would have offered a boost for Kansas City-area Democrats. But political experts and polling have suggested that Democrats face an uphill battle in the race for the 4th District.

Lucas’ interest in the race stemmed from Missouri’s new, gerrymandered congressional map, which lawmakers passed last year under pressure from President Donald Trump. The map carved Lucas and parts of western Kansas City into Alford’s district, which stretches into Missouri’s Ozarks region.

Lucas did not rule out a future congressional campaign after he leaves office. He also pointed to the gerrymandered map as Democratic-leaning Kansas City continues to tangle with the Trump administration and Republicans in Jefferson City.

“The effort is clear: to get Democrats and common-sense Moderates and Independents out of office and to make sure our voices are marginalized as we stand against ICE, as we stand up for our communities, because we stand up for our workers,” Lucas said. “I plan to be in that struggle. I plan to be in that struggle as your mayor in Kansas City.”

Monday’s announcement will shift attention to the six other Democrats who have filed for the district.

The Democratic primary will include: Hartzell Gray, a popular media personality and progressive activist; Jordan Herrera, an attorney and U.S. Air Force veteran; Wayne Russell from Columbia; Jeanette Cass, a farmer from southwestern Missouri; and a candidate listed only as “G Rick” from southwestern Morrisville.