Mayor Lucas talks on transportation ahead of World Cup, other issues at DNC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mayor Quinton Lucas arrived at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago Monday and discussed his perspectives regarding a potential Harris-Walz administration and his future role as political leader in the Democratic party.

Although the primary discussion in the Monday interview was the upcoming general election, Lucas also discussed many local hot topics that have continued to circulate around Kansas City.

He addressed concerns regarding the 2026 World Cup and public transportation throughout the metro, specifically in Johnson County, Kansas, which has already started reserving busses for the event.

Lucas said plans for transportation have not been established, but are in the works. The city plans to have a “multi-modal” system that utilizes the streetcar and other resources so pedestrians and fans get to the stadium efficiently and safely.

Lucas also addressed the Chiefs and Royals stadium tax controversy, reassuring Kansas City, Missouri residents that the stadiums will be in Jackson County for years to come.

“I plan on them playing in Kansas City, Missouri for years to come,” he said. “Big events belong in big cities. They belong in good, exciting, major places, and so, we will make sure that we are as fair as possible to our taxpayers, while also making sure that the Chiefs, who have called Kansas City home for generations, will continue to do so.

One of the major criticisms of Lucas and other Jackson County officials in the wake of the failed stadium tax vote in April 2024 is the lack of public information about the plans to keep the teams from moving across the state line.

However, Lucas confirmed in the Monday interview that discussions are happening between his team, the Royals and the Chiefs to keep both franchises in the county.

“I have no fear that either the Chiefs or the Royals move elsewhere,” he said. “We’re coming up with good plans for both of them. We’ll make sure we stay responsible for them for that long-term.”

“Since 2021, since President Biden and Vice President Harris went into office, we have seen, I think, more consistency in policy, we have seen more support to America’s cities,” Lucas said. “And so, for me, I look forward to working with this team, whether it’s mayor in the future or whatever the heck I’m doing, if I just go back to being a guy, you know, working in Kansas City again.”

Lucas has been an outward advocate for Kamala Harris since President Joe Biden announced he would not be running for re-election. He described the Harris-Walz campaign as relatable and exciting for people around the country, specifically in Kansas City.

“In Kansas City, whether it’s at churches, volunteering on the weekends; people are saying this is a ticket that represents America that is talking about issues we care about — kitchen table issues. And so, I mean, I don’t think anyone can debate in any part of the country that there is this energy around this election right now,” Lucas said.

The DNC started Monday with keynote speakers, as well as Harris and Biden, expected to take the stage at 5:30 p.m.

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