06.30.25 Jackson County Executive responds to recall petition update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2025

Jackson County Executive responds to recall petition update: “This Is About Power, Not Policy”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In response to today’s announcement from the Jackson County Board of Elections that recall petitioners have submitted the minimum number of signatures required to advance to the next phase, Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. issued the following statement:

“Today’s announcement is simply a procedural step, not a verdict. Meeting a signature threshold doesn’t decide anything. What it does reveal is how far certain interests are willing to go to punish elected officials who refuse to cave to political pressure and backroom stadium subsidy deals.

“This effort is being led and funded by dark money groups and self-interested insiders who were denied a blank check for a bad stadium deal. They didn’t get what they wanted, and now they’re trying to buy political revenge.

“This recall isn’t about public service; it’s about private gain. It’s being driven by those who want county government to work for them, not the people. But I was elected to serve taxpayers, not special interests and I won’t be bullied into selling out the residents of Jackson County.

“We will shine a light on what’s really behind this undemocratic, partisan push. The public deserves to know who is trying to buy influence, rewrite the truth and weaponize the recall process.”

Law Enforcement Referral Filed Today

As part of that effort, the County Executive has formally referred Legislator Sean Smith to Prosecuting Attorney Melesa Johnson and Sheriff Darryl Forté for investigation. The referral is based on credible allegations that Smith used taxpayer-funded resources, including county staff time and technology, for political activities directly connected to the recall campaign.

One example includes a video presentation created using county resources and originally distributed internally. The video, which advocated for the recall, is now posted on Legislator Smith’s campaign website with added political imagery. After being informed that this use of public resources violated Missouri law, Legislator Smith edited the video to remove the advocacy statements, leaving an abrupt cut at the end, but only after the video had already been viewed more than 4,000 times. It remains publicly accessible at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y5z9cDzqXw

A copy of the referral letter submitted today is attached.

White added:

“This is just the beginning. We ask for the public’s patience and the media’s restraint. The individuals behind this recall have repeatedly misled the public about their progress, about the law and about what’s really at stake. The facts will come to light, they always do.”

“I will continue doing what I was elected to do – stand up for taxpayers, protect public resources and fight for the future of Jackson County. I’m not here to serve donors or developers. I’m here to serve the people.”