The Regulators
Our two-state, five county jumble lessens political power. Just as well. Pols don’t create power or wealth. They just move it around
Tom Hoenig. President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Hoenig is among the nations top ranking policy setters along with Allan Greenspan. Perhaps better known outside of KC than in, Hoenig is among the most intelligent economists in America. He also serves as Chairman of Benedictine College in nearby Atchison, KS.
James B. Nutter. Nutter runs a Westport-based mortgage co. that also serves as his political home. More of a kingmaker than a king, Nutter has raised lots of money for Democratic candidates and causes, largely on the local level where he has had more influence than the people he has helped elect.
Dick Bond. Although he has stepped down from the Kansas Senate where he served as president, Bond retains his role as de facto boss of the "moderate" a.k.a. power wing of the Republican Party in Kansas with interests in both Wyandotte and Johnson counties.
Pat Gray. Kind of like a local Dick Morris. You're not really sure what side he's on but come election time you want him on yours. Gray knows local politics better than anyone and knows how to win. Like Nutter and Bond, his influence outlasts the suits that fill the offices.
Bill Graves Kansas Gov. Graves comes from the same wing of the party as Bond. The popular governor will continue to wield considerable influence in the area at least until his term expires in a year or so. After that, back to Mission Hills?
Ed Eilert. As mayor of Overland Park for 20 of the city's 40 years, Eilert has helped transform the place from a bedroom community to Kansas's second largest city. His relentless pro-development philosophy cost him his bid for Congress, but he's probably better off in OP where all the action is.
Carol Marinovich. For the first time in the history of the area, the mayor of Kansas City, Kansas has generated enough buzz-and transformed enough landscape-to become a household name in the area. Marinovich was critical in creating Unified Government and in bringing NASCAR to town. She's made a few enemies along the way but probably not enough to cost her re-election.
Dennis Moore. To keep his tenuously held seat in Congress, Democrat Moore must keep the 3rd District power brokers happy. This means working much harder than his counterpart on the Missouri side-Karen McCarthy-to bring home the bacon. Moore's effort last year to turn the Woodlands over to the Indians is indicative of the kind of Congressman he has to be.
Kay Barnes. Being Kansas City's first female mayor-and an honest one at that-is no longer enough these days to win friends and influence people. Barnes sits in the most potentially powerful post in the area, but she has yet to fully harness that power. She hopes that a proposed change in charter to a strong mayor concept will be her way to strength. The ambitious are growing restless, though she keeps trying. A thankless post at a challenging time.
Claire McCaskill. As Kansas City's only politico to have been elected state wide, McCaskill has the potential to move up from Auditor. She also has the ambition. The one question is, does she have the patience?