In a press release this past Monday, January 12, 2025, the Jackson County Legislature voted to elect its first Latino Chairperson to lead the body. Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca brings a litany of prior experience, including three years as Treasurer for the Kansas City Public School Board, where he helped navigate the district through the COVID-19 pandemic and achieve full accreditation for the first time in decades.
In addition, he has served both Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill as part of their respective district and partisan staff. Manny Abarca is a proud father of two, a tenured resident of the Historic Northeast, and a proud graduate of Grandview High School. He continues to pursue his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, while holding a Master of Science degree in Occupational Safety Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Central Missouri.
According to the press release Abarca’s priorities include: Strengthening relationships among legislators and the Executive Office to ensure a unified and strong Jackson County for all taxpayers.
“There’s plenty to fix, and over the last three years I have focused on accountability for those who have failed. Now, I step up to the plate with my colleagues and a new executive to solve problems beyond party lines and across the county. Additionally, stadium stabilization and future planning are critical. These deals aren’t done, and with unified leadership, we can do anything. A true fix to our property tax issues that is responsive to taxpayers’ pocketbooks and our taxing jurisdictions,” said Abarca.
