Crissy Dastrup, Hyde Park resident and public servant, has launched her campaign for the Fourth District In-District seat of the City Council of Kansas City, Mo. Dastrup’s vision is for Kansas Citians to feel heard, supported, and celebrated by their local government, according to her campaign. Her priorities will include small business support, addressing the housing crisis, transportation equity, and the community voice.

“I’m running for City Council because I love Kansas City and I’m ready to tackle our big issues,” Dastrup said. “For too long, inequities like illegal dumping, access to public transit, and the affordable housing shortage have caused distress for people across our city. As your Fourth District City Councilwoman, I will continue my track record of relationship and coalition building to solve problems for the growth and prosperity of Kansas City.”

Dastrup served the Fourth District for two years as the legislative aide in the office of Eric Bunch, the incumbent for this seat. During her time at City Hall, she worked on historic legislation, including the Kansas City LGBTQ commission, the first commission representing diversity in sexuality and gender in Missouri.

As the City Hall liaison to the Bartle Hall Warming Center in the winter of 2020, Dastrup collaborated with the Downtown Council to structure ongoing operations. Other highlights include organizing Kansas City’s successful AAPI Culture and Heritage Festival, recognition of Indigenous People’s Day and Day of Transgender Remembrance, and the nationally recognized COVID-19 memorial at the World War I Museum.

Originally from Arkansas, Dastrup has been in Kansas City for over a decade. Her passion for community involvement began as a board member for the Kansas City Ballet. Her volunteer experience spans arts, culture, economic development, transportation, education and more. Dastrup calls herself a “professional fixer” in Kansas City, helping all kinds of people solve important problems. She has invested countless volunteer hours working to strengthen the Troost corridor, and the city at large.

Dastrup is the founder and chair of the Board of Directors of Troost Market Collective, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the diverse community of creative entrepreneurs in Kansas City. She also works with small businesses to engage in creative placemaking and utilize alternative funding opportunities in the form of local, state, and federal grants and incentives.

In the summer of 2020, Dastrup helped bring people together from all parts of Kansas City to create six Black Lives Matter street murals. “KC Art on the Block,” a Black Lives Matter project garnered acclaim and awards for creative placemaking and equity.

The City Council election in Kansas City is April 4, 2023. Find more info on local elections at kceb.org.