Campaign Launch

My name is Justin Short, and I’m thrilled to announce that I’m running for City Council in the Northland of Kansas City.

I was born and raised right here in the Northland—from playing baseball (not very well) at Line Creek Park, to attending English Landing Elementary and Lakeview Middle School, to growing up in the house that helped shape who I am, just off 64th Street.

We’re standing in Kansas City’s 2nd District, which is essentially everything north of the river up to Barry Road (with a few exceptions near Briarcliff). This is the community I grew up in, the community I love, and the community I hope to represent.

My passion for Kansas City started early. I remember watching Mayor Kay Barnes help transform downtown into the vibrant cultural and tourism center it is today. This is one of the many reasons the Northland has experienced such incredible growth. Over the past several years, I’ve become even more interested in how our city works and how the decisions made at City Hall affect our neighborhoods, our businesses, and our daily lives.

Serving on city boards, commissions, and community groups has only strengthened my desire to serve Kansas City in an even bigger way. Kansas City has done many things right, but let’s be honest: over the next decade, our city will face real challenges. And the Northland deserves a leader who is fully focused on you.

For me, Kansas City will be a full-time job. And my pledge to you is simple:

I will be a responsive, accessible, and transparent public servant for the Northland.

People often ask me, “Why run for City Council?”

The answer is simple: I want to give back to a place that has given so much to me.

Public service runs in my family. My father served as an elected official in this area, and my mother spent more than 25 years raising money for charities throughout the Northland. My parents taught me that serving others and giving back to your community isn’t just important; it’s a responsibility, one I take very seriously.

And in 2027, it’s my turn to serve.

While living and working downtown, I gained a unique perspective on how Kansas City operates, while also seeing firsthand the growing needs and opportunities here in the Northland.

Over the coming months, we’ll talk more about specific plans. But my focus will be on five key priorities:

First, ensuring the Northland has a full-time voice at City Hall, someone fighting every day to make sure the Northland gets its fair share.

Second, improving sidewalks and streetscapes, especially around schools and neighborhoods that still lack these basic and essential amenities.

Third, supporting smart development in the Northland, bringing new housing, new investments, and strengthening our parks, trails, and community centers.

Fourth, advancing transportation solutions, including multi-modal transit options that help our workforce move to and from their homes in ways that actually work for them.

And fifth, ensuring the long-term future of the Northland by focusing on fiscal responsibility and priority-based budgeting, because our future isn’t about chasing the next big thing. It’s about making smart investments that last.

If you believe in the future of the Northland, I hope you’ll join our campaign.

Visit us at justinshortforthenorthland.com, follow along on social media at Justin Short for the Northland, or send us your thoughts, ideas, and concerns at justinshortforkc@gmail.com.

The future of the Northland is bright; I would be honored to be your voice for Northland at City Hall.

So remember:

Stand Tall! Vote Short. In the municipal elections in April and June of 2027. Justin Short. From the Northland. For the Northland.

“Paid for by Justin Short for the Northland, James Shackelford, Treasurer.”