Murguia picks up endorsement from Barnes, others

Murguia also received the endorsement of many public officials and several labor unions today at an event at the Reardon Center.

Barnes said it was "time for a change ... Wyandotte County should work for all people, not just a privileged few."

Former Commissioner Don DeSeure said it is "Time to take off our coats, take off our ties, roll up our sleeves, and go to work!"

During today's campaign event, the name of Murguia's opponent was never mentioned, nor were there any comments or criticism about him. All comments from the candidates and speakers were based on how effective and committed Murguia would be as mayor.

The Barnes endorsement alone may bring Murguia within 5 percentage points of Mark Holland, who led the primary with 46.8 percent of the vote.

If Barnes can bring his 19.3 percent of the vote in the mayoral primary to combine with Murguia in the April 2 general election, she would have 41.8 percent of the vote, at least in theory.

At Murguia's endorsement event today at the Reardon Center, many other community members, along with several labor unions, endorsed Murguia. The list of endorsements included State Reps. Tom Burroughs and Stan Frownfelter, Wyandotte County Sheriff Don Ash, former Mayor Joe Steineger, Unified Government Commissioners Mike Kane, Tarence Maddox, Angela Markley and Butch Ellison.

Others endorsing Murguia were former State Sen. Mark Gilstrap, former UG Commissioner Don DeSeure, former UG Commissioner Mike Gilstrap, former Board of Public Utilities member Tom Lynch, former State Rep. and UG Commissioner, Elmer and Bonnie Sharp, former UG Commissioner Veda Monday, former Commissioner J.J. Swanson, former UG Chief Legal Counsel Hal Walker, Bonner Springs Councilman Jack Knight and Bonner Springs Councilman George Cooper.

Also endorsing Murguia today were the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Bea Lee, Russell Wilson, Mary Ann Flunder, Ruby Jones, Roberto and Delia Marin, Dave and Millie Vega, Joy Beery, Alice Baslee, Carole Diehl, Lennis Adair, Maria Kline, Marilyn White, Tamika Pledger, Gary Wilson, James Connelly, Marcia Rupp, and Evelyn Larson.

Labor unions endorsing Murguia included the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 124, International Association of Firefighters Local 64, Tri-County Labor Council, Heavy Constructor Laborers Local 663, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, and Fraternal Order of Police 4.