Bryan Stalder
Contributor

Full Disclosure: Manny Abarca IV serves on the board of Historic Northeast Media, the parent organization of this publication.

Jackson County Legislative Chair and Indian Mound resident Manny Abarca IV officially announced his candidacy for Jackson County Executive today, May 5, 2026. Abarca enters a reshaped race following the high-profile withdrawals of other key contenders.

While the standard filing deadline for the August primary passed on March 31, the withdrawal of incumbent Phil LeVota and county legislator DaRon McGee triggered a unique provision under Missouri statute that required the Jackson County Legislature to reopen filing for a brief five-day window starting May 1, 2026. Manny Abarca IV, acting in his capacity as Legislative Chairman, officially announced the reopening for the County Executive Democratic Primary and the 1st District At-Large Republican Primary. It was during this specific window that Abarca made his own strategic entry into the race for County Executive, capitalizing on the reshaped political landscape just before the final withdrawal deadline of May 19.

In a press release, Abarca positioned himself as a reformer focused on transparency and restoring public trust. “I am not running for the power of the office, but to return the power to the people of Jackson County,” Abarca stated. He cited his role in leading the recall of former County Executive Frank White and his work on property tax reform as evidence of his commitment to “speaking truth to power.”

The current occupancy in the executive office follows a tumultuous 2025. Abarca, alongside Legislator DaRon McGee, spearheaded the successful recall effort against County Executive Frank White last year. Following White’s removal, former Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes served as interim executive until Paul LeVota was appointed to the role in October 2025.

LeVota’s appointment came with significant caveats. At the time, LeVota signed a document stating he did not intend to run for a full term in 2026. However, controversy erupted earlier this year when LeVota briefly entered the race, arguing that the word “intend” in the agreement was not a binding legal prohibition.

LeVota eventually withdrew from the race in late April 2026, citing the 60-hour work weeks required to govern the county. “My heart is not in a campaign,” LeVota wrote in his withdrawal statement.

Responding to LeVota’s exit on social media, Abarca expressed his surprise and disappointment, stating:

“I am shocked by the recent announcement of Executive LeVota’s departure from the race. He has been a stabilizing force at the County and I look forward to the remainder of our terms to finalize the greatest solutions for Jackson County – Missouri through that tenure.”

Abarca’s announcement comes amid a backdrop of ongoing personal legal issues. In June 2025, during the height of the recall efforts, Abarca was charged with domestic battery in Johnson County, Kansas, and violating a protection order in Kansas City, Missouri. The charges stemmed from an incident where Abarca was reported missing with his two-year-old son for nearly a week before being located safely.

More recently, Abarca faced additional harassment charges filed in February 2026. Prosecutors alleged that Abarca made harassing phone calls to his estranged wife’s parents’ home in Hutchinson, Kansas, on New Year’s Eve. Despite these mounting legal battles, Abarca has maintained his innocence and remained in his role as Chairman of the Legislature.

Manny Abarca IV was elected Chair of the Jackson County Legislature on January 12, 2026. He was elevated to the leadership position following a 5-4 vote by his fellow legislators. While he has served as the representative for District 1 since assuming office on January 1, 2023, his tenure as Chairman began with the start of the 2026 legislative session.

With Abarca’s entry, the Democratic primary field—scheduled for August 4, 2026—remains a crowded and competitive race. Key candidates currently vying for the position include:

• Stacy Lake: An attorney who narrowly lost to Frank White in 2022 and has positioned herself as a consistent advocate for county reform.
• Bill Baird: The Mayor of Lee’s Summit, who currently stands as the only candidate in the field with significant executive government experience.
• Holmes Osborne: A financial analyst and Metropolitan Community College trustee.

Due to the recent withdrawals of LeVota and DaRon McGee, the Jackson County Legislature officially reopened the candidate filing period for five days starting May 1, 2026, allowing Abarca and others to officially enter the race.

About the Candidate: Manny Abarca is a resident of the Indian Mound neighborhood and has represented the 1st District of the Jackson County Legislature since 2023.