Stacy Lake wins Jackson County executive race
The attorney took office after a year of political turmoil that included a recall, an interim appointment, and a federal indictment.
By Ibrahim Howard ·
Stacy Lake, a local attorney and Democrat, has secured the position of Jackson County executive. She defeated Republican challenger Alan Rohlfing in the November general election. Unofficial final tallies from the Jackson County and Kansas City election boards confirm her victory.
Lake’s path to the office began with a strong showing in the 2022 primary. She garnered nearly 47% of the vote against then-incumbent Frank White Jr. That race was decided by a margin of fewer than 4,200 votes. White served in the role for more than a year before facing a recall election.
The recall process accelerated after voters expressed anger over the county’s 2023 property reassessment. White had defended the illegal reassessment repeatedly. In a September 2025 special election, more than 80% of Jackson County voters chose to remove him from office.
The political landscape shifted again in October 2025. County attorney Phil LeVota was selected to serve as interim executive to complete White’s term. LeVota initially stated he would not seek the office in 2026. He later changed his mind and launched a campaign. He ended that campaign in April.
LeVota’s tenure ended in August when a federal grand jury indicted him. The indictment alleged he attempted to bribe a Democratic official to drop out of the race. The official was promised a job in LeVota’s administration if LeVota won the full term.
Lake now assumes control of a county government facing new challenges. A fresh property assessment cycle begins in January. The Assessment Department currently lacks a director. Several other key positions remain vacant.
Lake, who owns Stacy Lake Law Firm LLC, won the Democratic primary with more than twice the votes of her nearest challenger. Her platform, the JACKSON Plan, outlines seven points including justice system reform, government audits, and infrastructure improvements. She described the plan as a method to restore efficiency to the county.
During a pre-election interview, Lake cited the 2019 property tax crisis as her motivation. She noted that assessed values in Hyde Park, where she resides, rose sharply. She said she observed that the county government had not operated effectively for years. Rohlfing, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, ran as the unopposed Republican candidate. He stated he ran to help departments that needed support.
