7 candidates are running: Alan Rohlfing (Republican), Bill Baird (Democratic), Dan T. Tarwater III (Democratic), Holmes Osborne (Democratic), Manuel “Manny” Abarca IV (Democratic), Ryan Meyer (Democratic), and Stacy Lake (Democratic).

Certified result: Stacy Lake (Democratic) and Alan Rohlfing (Republican) advanced to the next round.

Jackson County Executive

Name: Jackson County Executive
Start: 2026-08-04
Location: Jackson County, Missouri

Result: Advanced — Stacy Lake (Democratic), Alan Rohlfing (Republican)

Source: jcebmo.org

Jackson County, Missouri

My vote power: Above average

What does this office do?

Proposing the county budget, including property tax and spending plans
Running county roads, parks, and public health services
Picking who leads county departments

Affects: Healthcare Affordability, Environment and Public Health, Government Efficiency,

Candidates:

Alan Rohlfing

Advanced

Republican · advanced

2026 Republican candidate for Jackson County Executive on the certified August primary ballot; focused searches found no verified campaign website or prior public office.

Bill Baird

Did not advance

Democratic · lost

Bill Baird is a former public school teacher, school board member and two-term Mayor of Lee's Summit. He points to balancing budgets, investing in working families and strengthening public schools.

Records: Government Spending Reduction 1 for, Public Infrastructure 1 for

Dan T. Tarwater III

Did not advance

Democratic · lost

Dan T. Tarwater III served as a Jackson County legislator and has worked in sales. He is a graduate of Rockhurst University.

Records: Public Safety and Crime Control 1 for

Holmes Osborne

Did not advance

Democratic · lost

Holmes Osborne is a chartered financial analyst and principal of Osborne Global Investors who serves on the Metropolitan Community College Board of Trustees. He holds a finance degree from Syracuse University.

Manuel “Manny” Abarca IV

Did not advance

Democratic · lost

Jackson County 1st District legislator and 2026 Legislature chair, former Kansas City Public Schools board treasurer, and candidate for Jackson County Executive.

Records: Government Spending Reduction 1 against, Housing Affordability 1 for, Public Safety and Crime Control 1 for,

Ryan Meyer

Did not advance

Democratic · lost

Ryan Meyer says the election is about restoring public faith in government, protecting schools and delivering economic justice. His stated mission is an inclusive environment where all stakeholders have a seat at the table.

Stacy Lake

Advanced

Democratic · advanced

Civil-litigation attorney, small-firm owner, former translator, and 2026 Democratic candidate for Jackson County Executive who also sought the office in 2022.

Sources: jcebmo.org 2 · kceb.org · drive.google.com 2