Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas Monday ruled out running for Congress this year in a highly politically charged social media video that foreshadows a future run for office.

Despite being a no-run announcement, Lucas’ video sounds like a left-wing Democrat campaign platform – denouncing, though not by name, Republicans for allegedly dividing America and trying to marginalize some.

“I know recently many of us have had to stand up for the rights of our fellow Kansas Citians, our fellow Americans,” Lucas said in the walking selfie. “And we’ve had to make sure that we stand up for healthcare access for all, the decency and respect of everyone in our community, and ensuring that we could have basic affordability in a government that’s competent and cares about all of us. 

We’ve got a lot of work to do in Kansas City over the next year and a half. I plan to be here for all of it as your mayor, standing up for the rights and dignity of all in our city and beyond, and building opportunity in all of our communities. pic.twitter.com/G66V4ElBjN

— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) March 30, 2026

“The hardest part of that struggle has been efforts to try to divide us.

“Recently, the state of Missouri redrew our congressional maps, splitting black and white, and trying to carve up Kansas City even more. The effort’s clear: to get Democrats and common-sense moderates and independents out of office, and to make sure our voices are marginalized.

“As we stand against ICE, as we stand up for our communities, as we stand up for our workers, I plan on being in that struggle. I plan to be in that struggle as your mayor in Kansas City for the next 15 months. I won’t be on the ballot in 2026.

“But I plan to support a whole lot of folks who will be, ensuring that we elect people who are standing for each and every one of you, and that we continue our work to ensure that the America that we know is one that cares about our people, that builds opportunity for all, and that Kansas City continues to be a model. 

“So I may be on the ballot again some other day. But even though I’m not on in 2026, I hope you know I’ll be out there, to stand with each and every one of you as we all stand up for each other. God bless you all. Let’s make sure we know that we’re gonna win long-term as we build a stronger community for everyone.”

Lucas, re-elected to a second mayoral term in 2023, is prohibited from seeking another term when his expires in July 2027.

Kansas City’s National Public Radio station KCUR reported in September that Lucas might take on current U.S. Rep. Mark Alford, whose 4th District has expanded into KC under Missouri’s new congressional map passed by the Legislature and affirmed by the courts.

“In modern American politics,” Lucas told the station, “if Donald Trump says it, Republicans say, ‘How high do we need to jump?’ I relish a good opportunity to knock doors somewhere and walk around, and would welcome the opportunity to go back to Harrisonville and all types of spots.”

Alford’s re-election campaign provided a statement to The Heartlander Monday on Lucas’ decision not to run against him.

“I respect Mayor Lucas’ decision not to run for Congress this election cycle,” the statement reads. “As we’ve said all along, the ‘new 4th District’ remains a strong Republican district. I’m the only candidate in this race with a proven track record of representing our shared values.

“I look forward to representing the new 4th from Kansas City to the Lake of the Ozarks, from farmers and ranchers to business leaders and those in the urban core. We will continue to fight for our shared values of security for our families, our neighborhoods, our economy, our food and fuel supply, and our great nation. We wish Mayor Lucas success in his future endeavors.”

Not long after Lucas’ statements to KCUR in September, Alford’s campaign polling indicated the state’s newly redrawn 4th Congressional District supports Trump at a 56% clip.

Moreover, Alford registered a nearly 2-to-1 favorability in the redrawn district, 49-26, compared with Lucas’ rating of 31% favorable, 32% unfavorable.

Alford’s campaign noted his own favorability in the remapped district is all the more impressive “especially considering the fact that he does not presently represent 40% of the new district.”