KC Tenants Claim Primary Sweep Despite 2nd Place Finish

Today we fact check Kansas City election claims that deserve scrutiny despite overall success.  

In their own words, here's how KC Tenants Power view last night's returns . . .

"Every candidate endorsed by KC Tenants Power Advances To The General Election . . . When you side with the people, you win. When you come with ideas, you win. When you organize your neighbors, you win."

Actually, that's a really nice sentiment but let's look closer at their claims.

Remember . . .

KC TENANTS EARNED AN IMPRESSIVE NEW YORK TIMES FEATURE AND WIDESPREAD LOCAL MEDIA LOVE FOR THEIR HOUSING ADVOCACY HOPING FOR POLITICAL PROGRESS!!!

Seriously . . . We've been watching KC politics since middle-school and this is the first time we've ever seen the NYT take notice and promote a local political action committee.

Now, via www.TonysKansasCity.com link to their Twitter pre-game . . . Here's their endorsement list:

Again,  they're correct . . . They were successful. 

However . . .

Candidates directly affiliated with the KC Tenants organization trail their opponents by hefty margins in the aftermath of the primary. 

 It's questionable if Council incumbents Melissa Robinson & Eric Bunch needed their endorsement. And, as we noted previously . . . Theresa Cass Galvin wasn't really competitive in the 5th At-Large. 

But let's break it down even more . . . 

Here's the science . . . 

In the 2nd District At-Large KC Tenants activist Jenay Manley garnered only 34% of the vote compared to 47% going to winner Lindsey French. 

Even worse . . . Voters for Republican Mickey Younghanz will likely side with Ms. French in the general election. 

The returns were even less impressive on the South Side . .  

Dan Tarwater garnered 45% of the vote and his closest competitor was KC Tenants activist Johnathan Duncan who earned only about 2800 votes and 24% of the district. 

In this election the hope is that all of the other candidates will give their votes to KC Tenants in the general election but there's also room for Mr. Tarwater to garner even more support and limit his losses. 

SO WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?!?!

Basically . . .

KC Tenants Power proved somewhat effective thanks to great deal of progressive publicity. 

However . . . 

Their protest politics didn't overwhelm opponents and might have inspired more voters to seek more traditional alternatives with stronger local connections.

Developing . . .