Mayor Brings City Hall Experience Back to Barstow
Quinton Lucas ’02, the mayor of Kansas City and a Barstow alum, was invited to Dr. Aaron Ketchell’s AP U.S. Government class on Tuesday, Nov. 4, to talk about government, politics, voting and of course, the Chiefs.
A Kansas City native, Mayor Lucas attended Barstow from 1992-2002 before earning degrees from Washington University and Cornell Law School. He practiced law and taught at the University of Kansas before being elected to the Kansas City Council in 2015. He was elected mayor in 2019.
To open the discussion, Mayor Lucas connected the day’s conversation to AP Government’s current unit on federalism, explaining how policy and budget decisions differ at city, state and national levels. He outlined the responsibilities of a mayor, including representing the city and advocating for its residents, making budget decisions and working with City Council to pass legislation.
Lucas then opened the floor for student questions on topics including political parties, lobbying, the power of the courts and how candidates reach voters of different ages. The discussion touched on social media and its new role in campaigns and elections. When asked about the upcoming Chiefs season, he expressed confidence with some apprehension about facing Denver.
He closed the discussion with advice for students as they look ahead toward graduation and beyond: work hard, continue to embrace challenges and take pride in using your voice.
See instagram for more photos.
See instagram for more photos.
