Good point – he was KCMO Mayor in the 70s, although some of his peers would suggest that that progressed occurred in spite of him.

For the past 4 years, he has served as State Senator for Missouri’s 10th District. Please list three significant things he has achieved for this region (not honors for himself) since he was elected Missouri State Senator.

I don’t know if I would vote for him, but his performance has been terrible since he was elected of late. A very weak record. He loses his thoughts mid-speech, falls asleep in meetings and has not been able to advance any significant legislation for his district in Jefferson City. Sen. Yvonne Wilson has done more for the region in two years than he has in four.

This isn’t about ageism. With all the fighting and shenanigans going on at the County Legislature, I truly doubt he can win their respect and build consensus as County Exec. He certainly hasn’t succeeded w this tactic in Jefferson City. I just don’t know if I like his potential opponents.

I agree with K.C. Chip. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Dr. Wheeler over this last year. Yes, he’s about 30 years older than I am but not in spirit. I’ve known other politicians that were about their ego…this man is about accomplishment and what’s good for the county. I made his acquantance at a luncheoon and was a little bit aprehensive to approach him, as he is an icon, but when I did introduce myself I let him know that I will always think of him as the person who thought K.C. was the perfect place for the World’s Fair. He kindly ask me to call him Charles and let me know that he still hasn’t abandoned the idea of The World’s Fair as a joint venture with St. Loius. This is a man who holds the two highest degrees in education….M.D. and juris doctorate. He has served K.C. with unequalled dedication. Senator Wheeler makes himself available to all his constituents every morning when he is not in Jefferson City at a spot in Westport. I have joined him there and observed as he listened to the concerns of what some politicians would call the “small people”. I watched after they left with their concerns as he made notes in his black book (not his Blackberry) of their numbers and concerns making certain that follow up calls were made. I watched him summon an African American cab driver who was sitting alone over to the table as he did not want him to feel left out of this open discussion. Most politicians are about power. Dr. Charles Wheeler is about helping mankind with his study of stem cell research and his desire to link the power of the people to curing diseases. His knowledge of Jackson County budget isssues is amazing. He is in the debt of no one! He stands as a man of principal and the voters know this. Mike Sanders cares about Mike Sanders and more power. Mike Sanders would have never ask a working guy to join him or care what he felt. It was Abraham limcoln who said, “Any man can withstand adversity but watchow a man handles power and you’ll know his true character”. To know former Mayor Charles Wheeler is to love him and respect him. As for his experience he is an M.D. attorney, twice elected Mayor of Kansas City, former coroner for the county, Air Forcr Flight surgeon, Western judge of Jackson County,Director of Wheeler Medical Laboratories, Director of the Fairness in Construction Committee, On the Board of Mast Ambulance Service and is a current state Mo. Senator for the 10th district. On top of this he is a dedicated husband and father. Charles Wheeler accomplishes more by 9:00 am, than the rest of us do by dinner time. We are so lucky that this great man would come in and bail out our troubled county.

KC Ken,

Actually what is most important is that we elect the correct person for County Executive regardless of whether they are of the new generation or not. What we need now is experience, credibility, and integrity. Senator Wheeler has the experience having been twice elected Mayor of Kansas City along with numerous other elected offices. The County Executive is CEO of the county and we should elect someone who has extensive knowledge of the issues our county faces.

When it is time for the new generation to emerge, then they will. State Reps Cathy Jolly and Beth Low come to mind as rising stars. On the other hand, Mike Sanders is overwhelmed in his job as Prosecutor and saw this as politically advantageous to run for County Exec. at this time, but he never saw the more qualified Senator Wheeler coming. Sanders is also running for economic reasons as the County Executive job pays more than prosecutor and has no term limits. I have a real problem with any office holder jumping ship two years into a four year term. The voters elected him to serve a four year term so, Mike, stay there, tough it out, and don’t cut and run when it gets too hard or a better job becomes available. Sanders should honor his committment, not abandon his 5 point plan while being overly ambitious, and help solve our huge murder rate problem which is near 130.

The entry of Dr. Charles Wheeler is a needed action. We were faced with the incompetent Katheryn Shields and a lack luster Mike Sanders. The thought of Robert Stringfield is interesting, but not amusing. Dr. Wheeler raises the dialog to a satisfying level. Pre-Wheeler it was all personalities, now we can get into the meat of Jackson County government. I do not think Dr. Wheeler is the right person to be County Exec. but God bless him for making this a real issues based race and opening up the possibilities of a decent person actually leading our floundering county. I still support Sanders and hope he becomes the leader that is within his reach. The problem with Jackson County Courthouse politics is that nobody really cares until it is splashed across the media under a negative glare. It is lower than the KC school board in coveted seats.

In response to Daniel’s message let me point out that it isn’t that I am so much “againt” Mike Sanders as I am “pro” the most quailfied person for the County Executive position. Senator Charles Wheeler is the most qualified candidate. I agree that large corporations like Walmart probably do use and abuse their employees and unions can be a good thing but that issue is not part of the agenda of the Jackson County Executive. As mentioned on the television show Ruckus Mike Sanders is affiliated with the labor unions. No one on the distinguished panele disputed that fact. In exchange for union votes Sanders approves union contracts, once elected. How in the world is he going to challenge the figures that come across his desk regarding dollar amounts for the stadium renovations and other projects if he “owes” the unions? You gotta dance with the one that brung you! That is Politics 101! What is unusual about Senator Wheeler is he stands as his “own man” within the Democratic Party and is beholding to no one as it is his popularity with the voters themselves not special interests that has sustained him throughout the years. The difference in the two men is Wheeler isn’t beholding to the unions. His achievements as two term mayor and state Senator speak for themselves. There will be in excess of 6oo million dollars of the taxpayers money that the County Executive will be handling on the stadium issue alone and we’re not talking Monoply money. As for the candidate with honesty and integrity you just don’t last for forty years in Jackson County politics without a “stellar” job performance and above all honesty and integrity. Senator Wheeler has never quit a position half way through his term for the purpose of self promotion. Mike Sanders hasn’t even fulfilled his duty to the people that elected him to his first elected position and he is already on a “self promotion” campaign. Two years into his term Sanders begins planning a run for the most powerful position in the county! Geez! Where’s the integrity there? Charles Wheeler is a proven leader who is “sharp as a tack” and this will be demonstrated in the debates”.

After reading all the blogs I so agree with Senator Wheeler’s ability to help Jackson County and frankly speaking we should be thanking him for not retiring taking his knowledge with him. As a native Kansas Citian I’ve watched many politicians come and go but never have I seen a public servant who won’t “throw in” with special interests and continually thinks outside the box like Doctor Wheeler does. The opening paragraph sums it all perfectly….”a rare breed of public servant”. Senator Wheeler is progressive and his leadership in stem cell research issues shows he is a “forward thinking” individual. We should have such talent at the state or national level as this. With the passing of Dana Reeves yesterday it is only appropriate that stem cell research be brought to the forefront. Both Christopher and Dana Reeves campaigned vigorously for this cause. Congratulations to Doctor Wheeler for his efforts in this endeavor. I was fortunate enough to attend an address followed by a Q&A session with Senator Wheeler speaking to a gathering of about 300 guests and had the privledge of listening to him field a variety of questions from the public ranging from taxes,stadiums,rolling roofs, crack houses next door to stem cell research. His knowledge and diplomacy amazed me. He fielded questions with the ease that Tiger Woods displays on the first tee. When someone raised a religious question about Stem cell research he quoted St. Thomas Aquinas chapter and verse. Please understand that his role as Jackson County Executive doesn’t include stem cell research but would we really want a man whose passion or hobby was limited to golf or fishing or hunting? This speaks to how well read and intelligent Senator Wheeler is and his compassion for his constituents is obvious. Let’s face it if Doctor Wheeler shot his hunting buddy he has the skill and knowledge to patch him up on the spot! Senator Wheeler is our native son and this is “payback time” … this is our opportunity to reward a lifetime of public service with one simple “thank you” vote! I’m actually very disappointed that Mike Sanders would run against this great man. His day will come but he apparently doesn’t believe in “paying his dues”. The job of jackson County Prosecutor is the first taste of power that Mike Sanders has enjoyed. It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “Any man can withstand adversity but a man’s true character is demonstrated when you give him POWER”. Wheeler has had power, twice elected as Mayor of kansas City and now a state Senator. Senator Wheeler has stood the test of time…Sanders gets one spoonful of power and wants to shoot to the top without paying his dues! Hey, Mikey..cool your jets as your day will come after you compile a resume with something on it other than “Prosecutor, one term half served”.

Very insightful.