KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Voters made a historic choice Tuesday night with the election of Melesa Johnson as Jackson County prosecutor.
Johnson is the first Black woman to hold that office.
"It's honestly surreal," Johnson said Tuesday night. "I'm excited, full and hopeful, but know we have a lot of work to do."
Johnson, a Democrat, defeated Republican Tracey Chappell by a wide margin.
She replaces Jean Peters Baker, who was appointed to the job in 2011.
Peters Baker won the 2012 election and was re-elected in 2016 and 2020. She was the second woman to serve as Jackson County prosecutor.
"We must also honor the shoulders on which we stand. And, yes, a set of those shoulders belongs to none other than Jean Peters Baker," Johnson said.
Johnson, who worked as the director of public safety in KCMO, will take over the largest prosecutor's office in the metro area.
"I've dedicated my entire career to making my neighbors and community members safe," Johnson said.
Throughout her campaign, Johnson shared her experience growing up around crime.
"I'm not your average candidate for prosecutor. It's not every day candidates for prosecutor still live in one of the most dangerous parts of Jackson County," she said. "... Making history is always nice, but what I am most focused on is the results we’re able to garner."
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas released a statement congratulating Johnson.
"I am excited for my friend and colleague Melesa Johnson on her historic victory tonight in the race for Jackson County Prosecutor.
"During her time in my office, Prosecutor-Elect Johnson built and managed violence interruption strategies that saved lives and brought peace to long-challenged Kansas City neighborhoods. She is well suited to bring together our police, our communities, our businesses, and all of us in building a safer Kansas City.
"With her victory, we will now launch a search starting tomorrow for Kansas City's next Director of Public Safety. I hope whomever follows her in the role will be able to continue her exceptional record of success.
"I will miss her presence at City Hall, but I look forward to continuing to work closely with Melesa to build upon our progress and continue our journey toward a safer Kansas City for all."
Johnson graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science with a pre-law specialization.
She then graduated from the University of Missouri Law School.
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