Ryan Myers, a commercial real estate appraiser and an award-winning home brewer, is running for state Senate.
Myers plans to launch his campaign for SD 9 in the coming weeks, leaning on his experience as an alderman in his home of Raytown.
“I’m part of a 10-member nonpartisan board, which means I get to work with individuals that have political views on both sides of the aisle, and even with the wide spectrum of political beliefs, the elected officials I work with are still able to work together for the betterment of our community,” Myers told The Missouri Times. “I’d like to bring that frame of mind to the Capitol.”
While he’s still hashing out his political platform, the Democratic candidate pointed to two issues in particular he sees as plaguing SD 9: property tax problems in Kansas City and violent crime.
“Aside from the state tax commission, I’m going to be one of the more well-versed officials if I’m elected. Being a commercial appraiser, I deal with state property tax appeals on a daily basis,” he said. “That’s going to be at the top of my list because I want to avoid having this type of snafu ever again.”
As for violent crime, Myers said there are multiple paths to curtail the gun deaths plaguing Kansas City — from teaching conflict resolution in schools to ensuring mental health resources are properly funded and available. Myers also suggested the Conservation Department work to introduce firearm safety curriculum in schools.
“There’s a lot of different ideas,” Myers said. “I know my Democratic colleagues are looking at more of a gun-related thing, but I think it starts in the mindframe of the people doing the crime. So if we can start on that end of the spectrum, I think that might end up being an idea that ends up working.”
He also suggested changing how the Kansas City Police Department is structured. The department is overseen by a Board of Police Commissioners who are appointed by the governor to serve four-year terms. Kansas City’s mayor also sits on the board.
“If we need to look into legislation to localize the Kansas City Police Department, away from the governor and more into the hands of the more-than-capable police chief, I’m more than happy to look into that,” Myers said.
Myers has a degree in economics from Kansas State University and enjoys spending time outdoors and making his own beer. Particularly, Myers said he’s won awards for a German roggenbier he makes.
Myers is running to replace Sen. Kiki Curls, a Democrat who is term-limited. SD 9 encompasses much of southeastern Kansas City.
Myers noted the district’s demographics are changing, including with planned urban development.
“I want to make sure we’re being socially conscious with affordable housing and listening to our constituents in the district,” he said.
Kaitlyn Schallhorn was the editor in chief of The Missouri Times from 2020-2022. She joined the newspaper in early 2019 after working as a reporter for Fox News in New York City.
Throughout her career, Kaitlyn has covered political campaigns across the U.S., including the 2016 presidential election, and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa and the Middle East.
She is a native of Missouri who studied journalism at Winthrop University in South Carolina. She is also an alumna of the National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C.
Contact Kaitlyn at kaitlyn@themissouritimes.com.