Justice Horn Bids For Jackson County Exec & Touts Experience Over Legislature

The UMKC student guv prez and former candidate shares this note regarding the future of the courthouse and his efforts to address voter demands.

Here's the word . . .  

Justice Horn Enters Contest for Interim Jackson County Executive to Restore Stability 

With community members calling for an appointment from outside the legislature—and a name without baggage from the past—Justice Horn has stepped up.

KANSAS CITY, MO. (October 5, 2025) – Justice Horn has officially submitted his application to be considered as Interim Jackson County Executive. In a letter to County Clerk Mary Jo Spino, Horn outlined his qualifications, vision, and commitment to leading Jackson County through a time of critical transition and community need. Horn, who has served in nearly every corner of county government, emphasized that this is not a position he originally sought—but one he feels called to pursue in light of recent events.

“With the current state of affairs, I can’t sit by while dangerous leadership seeks this role,” Horn said. “I’ve spent years serving this county and its people—and I’m ready to bring stability, experience, and transparency to the Executive’s office.”

As a lifelong public servant, Horn brings unmatched experience across Jackson County government. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Jackson County Plan Commission and is a member of the Board of Zoning Adjustment. He has been a long-serving Board Director for the Jackson County Children’s Services Fund, where he helps oversee a $32 million budget dedicated to supporting the safety, health, and well-being of children across the county. Additionally, he serves on both the Economic Stability and Housing Stability Labs through the Jackson County Health Department, working to address housing insecurity and economic access as key social determinants of health. Horn also sat on the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Drug Task Force Board and the Prosecutor’s Community Advisory Board, helping guide the county’s public safety and justice strategy.

Beyond his county-level leadership, Horn has held municipal appointments with the City of Kansas City’s LGBTQ Commission, the City of Blue Springs Board of Adjustment, and the City of Independence FIFA Advisory Board. Regionally, he serves on the KC Streetcar Extension Committee, the RideKC Advisory Board, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Council. At the federal level, he has been appointed to the FBI Kansas City Office’s Community Council and serves as an advisor to the White House Office of Public Engagement’s Black Stakeholders Group, offering local insight on issues of equity, public safety, and economic development.

In addition to his broad government experience, Horn brings academic expertise that directly relates to the County Executive’s responsibilities. He holds both a Bachelor’s degree and an MBA with a focus on economics and local taxation, and is currently completing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. “Property taxes are not just technical issues—they’re the issue facing Jackson County right now,” said Horn. “No one on the current legislature has the academic or practical expertise I bring to this challenge.”

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