Candidates for Jackson County Prosecutor Face Off on Kansas City PBS Days Before August Primaries

Kansas City, MO, July 19, 2024—Kansas City PBS announces an exclusive debate featuring Democratic candidates for Jackson County Prosecutor on Friday, July 26, at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Kansas City Week in Review’s Nick Haines, this broadcast event will feature candidates vying to be the county’s top prosecuting attorney as longtime incumbent, Jean Peters Baker prepares to step down. Audiences will hear from Melesa Johnson, Stephanie Burton and John Gromowsky.

"Kansas City PBS is excited to provide a platform for these candidates to share their vision with the public," said Kliff Kuehl, Kansas City PBS president and CEO. “We are thrilled to help voters become more informed as they head to the polls in August.”

For more than a decade, Jean Peters Baker has led the Jackson County Prosecutor's office. In November, voters will select the next Jackson County Prosecutor, but first, voters will have to narrow the field in the Aug. 6 primary. 

In this Week in Review roundtable debate, candidates will make their cases for why they should be the Democratic candidate to advance to the general election. Candidates will be asked about their plans to meet the office's dedication "to ethically and professionally pursuing the cause of justice, promoting public safety through data-driven practices and providing a voice for victims of crime.”

About the Candidates

Melesa Johnson currently serves as Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas’ director of public safety and leads a city-wide initiative called Partners for Peace. She joined the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office in 2014. Stephanie Burton has trial experience in state and federal courts and expertise in jury selection and conviction integrity units. In the past, she’s worked with the Midwest Innocence Project and the Death Penalty Litigation Clinic. John Gromowsky has spent nearly 16 years as a defense attorney and serves in the prosecutor’s violent crimes unit.

Prep for the Polls

In addition to regular debates and election coverage, Kansas City PBS is a proud partner in creating the 2024 KC Voter Guide. Led by the Kansas City Media Collective, the 2024 KC Voter Guide is an unprecedented collaboration featuring information on more than 100 races compiled by 40 journalists from seven local media outlets. Digital coverage can be found at kcvoterguide.org. For more election coverage from Kansas City PBS, visit kansascitypbs.org/ontheballot.

Media Contact:

Kynala Phillips
(pronounced kuh-nah-luh)
she/her/hers 

Communications and Engagement Manager
E: kphillips@kansascitypbs.org
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