If you follow Missouri politics or grew up watching the Kansas City Royals, you’ve probably asked yourself: is Frank White a Democrat? The short answer is yes. Frank White Jr., the legendary second baseman who became a powerhouse in local government, has spent his entire political career as a member of the Democratic Party.
It’s a funny transition. One day you're winning Gold Gloves at Kauffman Stadium, and the next, you're navigating the messy world of property tax assessments and county budgets. Honestly, most people in Kansas City still think of him as "Smooth" from the 1985 World Series team, but in the halls of the Jackson County Courthouse, he’s been a central—and often controversial—Democratic figure for years.
The Political Leanings of a Royals Legend
Frank White didn’t just stumble into the Democratic Party. He chose it when he first ran for the Jackson County Legislature back in 2014. Since then, he’s carried the Democratic banner through multiple elections. He isn't a Republican. He isn't an Independent. He is a Democrat, through and through.
You've got to look at the history here. Jackson County has been a Democratic stronghold for decades. In fact, there hasn't been a Republican County Executive in what feels like forever. White continued that streak. He was first appointed to the role of County Executive in 2016 after Mike Sanders resigned. After that, he won the seat in a special election, and then defended it in 2018 and 2022. Every single time, he ran as a Democrat.
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Why Some People Get Confused
Sometimes people get mixed up because White has occasionally bumped heads with other Democrats. Politics is rarely a straight line. He’s had public spats with the County Legislature, and during the 2022 primary, he faced a pretty stiff challenge from within his own party. Stacy Lake, a fellow Democrat, gave him a real run for his money. He only won that primary by about 53% of the vote.
Then you have the 2025 recall. That was a wild ride.
The Historic 2025 Recall Election
If you’re looking for the latest news, here’s the big update: Frank White Jr. is no longer the Jackson County Executive. On September 30, 2025, voters headed to the polls for a historic recall election. It wasn't even close. About 85% of voters said "yes" to removing him from office.
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Why did it happen? Well, it was a perfect storm of issues:
- Property Tax Hikes: Residents were furious after assessments jumped by an average of 30% in 2023.
- The Stadium Vote: White was a vocal opponent of the 3/8th-cent sales tax renewal that would have funded a new downtown stadium for the Royals.
- Internal Friction: He struggled to maintain a working relationship with the County Legislature.
Even though he was ousted, the law in Jackson County is very specific. Since Frank White was elected as a Democrat, his replacement had to be from the same party. The County Legislature ended up selecting Kay Barnes to serve as the acting executive. It’s a bit of a "blue hand-off," keeping the seat within the Democratic Party even after a massive voter revolt.
A Look at White’s Democratic Platform
White’s time in office was defined by a specific brand of Democratic policy. He focused heavily on the East Side of Kansas City—the neighborhood where he grew up. He pushed for things like:
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- Expanding healthcare access through the "Healthier Jackson County" initiative.
- Investing in public parks and infrastructure.
- Attempting to reform the county jail system, though that was a major point of criticism for his administration.
He often framed his opposition to the stadium tax as a "pro-taxpayer" move, which is a bit of a shift from traditional Democratic stances on big urban development, but he argued that the deal wasn't fair to the residents. He wanted a better Community Benefits Agreement. He wanted more transparency. Some saw it as principled; others saw it as the reason the Royals started looking at Kansas.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Record
There's a myth that White was just a figurehead. He wasn't. He was deeply involved in the day-to-day grind, even if his critics said he spent too much time on the golf course. People often forget that he actually vetoed several ordinances from the Legislature. He wasn't a rubber stamp for every Democratic idea that came across his desk.
His political career was a jagged line. He started as a legislator, moved to the executive role by appointment, won it by election, and lost it by recall. It’s a full-circle story that ended in late 2025.
Key Dates in Frank White’s Political Timeline
- 2014: Elected to the Jackson County Legislature as a Democrat.
- January 2016: Appointed as County Executive.
- November 2016: Wins special election to keep the seat.
- 2018: Re-elected to a full four-year term.
- 2022: Narrowly wins the Democratic primary and beats Republican Theresa Galvin in the general.
- September 2025: Removed from office via a historic recall election.
Actionable Insights for Jackson County Residents
If you’re trying to keep up with the fallout of the Frank White era, here is what you should do next:
- Check Your New Assessment: Since the 2023 tax hike was one of the primary drivers of the recall, keep a close eye on any new property tax relief programs or "roll-back" orders issued by the State Tax Commission.
- Watch the Legislature: The Jackson County Legislature now has more influence than ever. Attend a meeting or watch the livestreams to see how they handle the transition under Kay Barnes.
- Register for the 2026 Election: Since White was serving a term that would have ended in 2026, the next full election for County Executive is right around the corner. Make sure your voter registration is up to date.
Frank White’s legacy is complicated. He’s a hero on the baseball diamond and a polarizing figure in the political arena. But through all the noise, the one thing that remained constant was his registration card. Frank White is, and has always been, a Democrat.