By Paul Thompson

Northeast News

Hours before the filing deadline, former Missouri State Representative John Burnett has jumped into race to serve as the next 2nd District at-large representative of the Jackson County Legislature.

According to county documents, Burnett filed for office at 1:17 p.m. on the afternoon of March 27 – less than four hours before the filing deadline. He will be running against incumbent Crystal Williams, who filed for reelection on February 27.

“I have been active in public service and held elected office, both in the county and state, for over 20 years,” said Burnett. “Right now, I think this is the best fit for me. I have the experience, and I have the willingness to serve.”

In addition to his previous experience serving in the Missouri House of Representatives, Burnett also served portions of two terms in the Jackson County Legislature. His wife, Ingrid Burnett, currently serves as Missouri’s District 19 State Representative.

Burnett, a lifelong Democrat, suggested on March 28 that his prior political experience – and his voting record – should give voters confidence when they step into the ballot box.

“I’m really confident that I have a good resume of public service. I have a good track record that is completely open to the public,” Burnett said. “My political leanings are an open book for anybody that has 10 minutes and Google. You can see where I’ve been and what I stand for.”

One of his strengths, Burnett added, is being a competent mediator.

“I think one of my strongest qualities is the ability to compromise and find solutions to difficult problems,” he said. “I think I am a really good person to find compromise in chaos. Frankly, most of our County Legislature has been in chaos for the past couple of years.”

In addition to the Jackson County Legislature, Burnett also considered running for Kansas City, Missouri City Council. As recently as 30 days ago, he acknowledged, his entry into the race wasn’t a foregone conclusion. According to Burnett, the decision to file just hours before the filing deadline was more about uncertainty than strategy.

“It was something that I kind of had to grapple with,” Burnett said. “30 days ago, I wasn’t 100% sure I wanted to do this.”

Seeing how well Ingrid has settled into her role in Jefferson City played a role in Burnett’s decision to once again file for public office.

“I really admire the way she’s taken to it there,” Burnett said. “One of the greatest surprises of my life is that she really loves it there. She understands the process already, after one year.”

He noted that the couple discussed the decision where they usually do their heavy thinking; on their back deck.

“It was a lively discussion, and we agreed that the primary focus of our family was on Ingrid’s career in Jefferson City,” Burnett said. “I would probably not have run had she had a spirited opponent. I probably would have let that go, because it would have just been too much for our family to absorb. But she encouraged me.”

If elected, Burnett hopes that he can lead a steady hand to the County Legislature.

“Frankly, the county is not doing such a good job, recently,” Burnett said. “I think I have something to offer.”