Bill Baird Enters Jackson County Exec Race

0:00It's March 30th. This is Kansas News Today, local news power by AI. Lease Summit Mayor Bill Bear just threw his hat in the ring for Jackson County Executive. The Democrat, who's led the city since 2018, announced his campaign Monday, promising to rebuild trust in government, boost transparency. Pump money into infrastructure, back public safety, and spart economic growth for everyone. Bear's highlighting his track record as mayor, where he ramped up public safety with new fire stations, bigger police setups, body cams, and dash cams. He also jacked up starting pay for cops and firefighters by over 60%. Pass bonds for roads and storm water fixes and oversaw nearly three, billion dollars in new development that created jobs and grew the tax base. He's got deep roots here with the real estate background, time on the school board, and years in civic groups. Bear and his wife have called Lease Summit home for over 28 years, raising their two kids there, which easily meets the three-year.

1:02Residency rule to run. The seat opened up after the last executive guy recalled, leaving Phil LaVota as interim. He pledged not to run for the full four-year term in 20. 26. So far, other Democrats in the race include Duran McGee, Holmes Osborne, Ryan Meyer, and Stacey Lake. This race is heating up fast, with Bear positioning himself as the steady hand Jackson County needs to move forward strong.