Jackson County Legislative Chairman Manuel “Manny” Abarca IV officially announced his candidacy for County Executive on Tuesday, shaking up the local political landscape just before the filing deadline.
Abarca, who made history in January 2026 as the county’s first Latino chairperson, joins a crowded field of candidates seeking to replace Interim County Executive Phil LeVota. Abarca stated that his decision to run stems from a belief that the county needs “leadership that shows up, tells the truth, and makes change happen.”
The announcement marks a reversal for Abarca, who had previously stated he would seek reelection to his legislative seat. By entering the executive race, he has withdrawn from the First District legislative contest, effectively reopening the filing period for that seat.
Abarca’s campaign begins amid significant personal and legal hurdles. He is currently facing several charges, including domestic battery in Johnson County and a protection order violation in Jackson County. Abarca addressed these issues head-on during his announcement, describing the last year as “challenging” and citing a “messy divorce” as the catalyst for his legal troubles.
Abarca joins a Democratic primary field that includes Dan Tarwater, Stacy Lake, Ryan Meyer, Holmes Osborne, and Bill Baird. On the Republican side, Alan Rohlfing remains the sole candidate.
