Johnathan DuncanServing

Johnathan Duncan

City CouncilDemocrat

MO-Kansas City 6th District City Council

Mexican-American·Kansas City City Council Member (6th District)

Why This Race Matters

Duncan is one of two Latinos elected to the Kansas City City Council in 2023, breaking a 30-year gap in Latino representation. He won the general election with 56.5% of the vote over former county legislator Dan Tarwater. His term runs through August 2027. A KC Tenants organizer, he brought a housing-first, co-governance approach to the council, prioritizing source of income discrimination bans and tenant protections.

Duncan won the June 2023 general election 56.5% to 43.5% over Dan Tarwater, after finishing second in the April primary (24% vs Tarwater's 45.4%). Endorsed by KC Tenants Power, SEIU, Sierra Club, VoteVets, and Green Party of Missouri. The 6th District includes Country Club Plaza, Brookside, and Waldo. Fellow Latino Crispin Rea was elected to the 4th District in the same cycle.

About

Johnathan Duncan is a Kansas City City Council member representing the 6th District, elected in June 2023 with 56.5% of the vote. An Army combat veteran who served in Iraq and Africa as part of the longest continuous deployment of any U.S. military unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he returned home at 21 with PTSD and found the promised mental health services were not there. A community organizer with KC Tenants for over three years, he is one of two Latinos elected to the Kansas City City Council in 2023, breaking a 30-year gap in Latino representation.

Family & Heritage

Grew up as a Black, Mexican-American, and white man in a small town. Joined the Army at 17 to pay for college. Returned from Iraq at 21 with severe PTSD including anger, insomnia, and suicidal ideation. Credits fellow combat veterans at the University of Kansas with saving his life. Married to Katie (wedding September 2023). Lives in the Western 49/63rd neighborhood with their cat Suki.

Political Career

Before Politics

U.S. Army Combat Veteran (Iraq and Africa, 18-month deployment during the surge south of Baghdad); Director of Administrative Operations, VFW National Headquarters (assisted veterans across 50 states, Europe, Pacific, Puerto Rico, Panama); Community Organizer, KC Tenants (3+ years of housing rights organizing)

Education

University of Kansas (attended)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Source of income discrimination ban (preventing landlords from denying voucher holders)
*Veterans mental health services
*Safe and accessible housing
*Community-based public services
*Tenant rights
*Public transit and transportation equity

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