Two Kansas City-area elected officials have been elected by their peers to become the new leaders of the minority party in the Kansas and Missouri House. The Democratic Party is in the super-minority in both states, narrowly having lost over a dozen races in the Kansas City-area that would have broken the Republican supermajority in both states.
Rep. Brandon Woodard, a young power-house fundraiser who has held office since 2018, will lead the Kansas House Democrats, who hold 37 seats to Republicans’ 88 seats.
Rep. Ashley Aune, an outspoken labor ally from the Northland, will lead the Missouri House Democrats. Democrats hold just 52 out of 163 Missouri House seats.
“Like so many Kansans, I’ve lived through the very struggles facing them every day, and that they’re counting on us to address for them. I’m the free- and reduced-lunch student from Topeka. I grew up in a hardworking, but low-income, family who knows what it’s like to choose between paying rent and buying groceries,” said Rep. Brandon Woodard to the Kansas Reflector.
Other strong labor-allies from the Kansas City-area will help to lead the House Democrats. Rep. Aaron Crossley (Independence) will serve as the Minority Caucus Whip, Rep. Emily Weber (Midtown Kansas City) will serve as the Minority Caucus Chair, and Rep. Eric Woods (Northland Kansas City) will serve as the Minority Caucus Secretary. The greater Kansas City area will be well represented in Democratic leadership at the state house, but union members should remember that because Republicans control all three branches in Missouri, Democrats can only do so much to protect union issues.
Rep. Crystal Quade, a Democrat from Springfield, was previously the House Minority Leader.
“As we head into the 2025 legislative session, working families across Missouri are still facing rising costs, a shortage of affordable housing, and attacks on essential protections like workplace safety and job security. As the incoming Minority Leader in the House, I am committed to working with my friends in labor to address these challenges by advocating for fair wages, expanding access to affordable housing, investing in workforce development, and securing stronger workplace protections to ensure that the future of Missouri is one where working families are not just surviving—but thriving,” said Rep. Ashley Aune.
“I’m really excited to work with Rep. Aune and our new leadership team. More than half of House Democratic leadership next session are from Kansas City, and I’ve stood next to every one of them on the picket lines, so I know that they will put the needs of working families first,” said Rep. Eric Woods.
“Ashley Aune will be a strong, thoughtful leader for Missouri, bringing people together to fight for what matters most,” said Rep. Aaron Crossley, the new Minority Caucus Whip. “I’m honored to step into this role, and I’ll work every day to ensure our caucus stands up for the values and priorities of Missouri’s working families.”
In the Missouri Senate, Democrats selected Sen. Doug Beck, a union member from Affton, to serve as Minority Floor Leader and Sen. Steve Roberts of St. Louis as Assistant Minority Floor Leader. Sen. Beck is a passionate union member and ferocious defender of working people.
Rep. Jon Patterson, a Republican from Lee’s Summit, has been selected by his Republican peers to be the next Speaker of the Missouri House. Patterson received some union support, most notably from the Kansas City Building Trades, in his recent election. Patterson has said that he intends to respect recent votes by Missourians that have signal strong support, regardless of party, for organized labor and opposition to Right-to-Work-for-Less. Patterson’s seat seems likely to flip to the Democrats next cycle.
Tristin Amezcua-Hogan is the Editor of The Labor Beacon and a member of LIUNA Local 264. Tristin also serves as the Director of Communications for the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO and the Chair of the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance.
Tristin grew up as the son of a UA Local 669 member in Tecumseh, KS and the great-nephew of George C. Amis, longtime leader of the United Rubberworkers (now USW Local 307) in Kansas. Growing up in rural Kansas as the child of teen parents, Tristin quickly came to appreciate the life-changing benefit of a union job.
Tristin and his partner, Rebeca Amezcua-Hogan, are residents of the Westside, Kansas City, MO's historic Mexican neighborhood. They are proud members of Kansas City's New Reform Temple.
