Phone: 816-829-0177
KENDA TOMES MCCLAIN for Mayor of Kansas City
Kenda Tomes McClain
ABOUT KENDA
A TRACK RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE
Kenda has always had an interest in public service. After she graduated from the University of Michigan in 1982, she moved to Chicago. While living in Chicago, she served as a committee organizer for several years. When Governor Matt Blunt was in office, at his request, she served on his securities advisory board. As a young lawyer, she also served on various non-profit boards of directors including the Neighborhood Housing Services. In Kansas City, she has continued to serve the community in various capacities including servicing as the Fine Arts Booster President at Sion during her daughter’s Junior year and through her church community.
Kenda has established herself as a leading authority in corporate finance and structured finance transactions, earning recognition for her expertise and innovative approach to complex legal matters. As a senior partner leading the structured finance practice since 2008, she has played a pivotal role in advising clients, structuring deals, reviewing offering materials and definitive agreements, supervising teams, and escalating significant issues for resolution.
In her current role, she is responsible for collaborating with colleagues to determine optimal approaches to addressing challenges, advising clients on transaction structure, developments and risks, and negotiating with counterparties to balance demands against client risk tolerance. She is also known for finding alternative solutions that protect her clients’ interests while facilitating successful outcomes.
Kenda’s tenure is marked by her leadership as attorney, partner and chair of the structured finance practice group. Kenda’s practice involves complex tax and securities law questions and disclosure. She has guided clients through multi-billion-dollar transactions and represented clients across diverse industries. She was at the forefront of negotiating the oversight structure and adjustments needed to address investor concerns in connection with new issuance asset backed securitization deals following the Great Recession. Kenda has continued to develop and grow the firm’s involvement in this industry not only in the new issuance world (expanding past CMBS to SFR and Whole Business asset backed deals), but also on the creditor’s right side representing special servicers in loan workouts, liquidations and foreclosures.
Beyond her firm, Kenda’s professional influence includes active participation in industry organizations. In 2018 she spoke at the American College of Real Estate Lawyers annual meeting regarding CMBS new issuance transactions and in 2019 was invited to join the College. She served as secretary of the Capital Markets team in 2021, Vice President of Capital Markets in 2022, and on the program committee in 2023. Kenda has been an active member of the CRE Finance for years and served as the co-chair of the Special Servicer Transfer Task Force in 2014 and as the chair of the Rating Agency Task Force in 2013. Additionally, she is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association and served as a contributor at the Distressed Debt Summit in 2012. Notably, Kenda was named in 2019 by Ingram’s Business Magazine as one of the Most Influential and Accomplished Women Lawyers in the Greater Kanas City Area.
Kenda’s academic foundation includes a Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago, Illinois, and a bachelor’s degree in general studies with a focus in accounting from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Among her most notable achievements is her dedication to mentoring young attorneys, fostering their professional growth and ensuring the continued excellence of the legal profession.
As Kansas Citians, we deserve leadership that reflects our values not those of corporate powers especially those located outside our city limits. We need to change the atmosphere in Kansas City. The people we have running this city and who say they want to run this city do not currently reflect the values of the citizens.
KANSAS CITY NEEDS LEADERSHIP
WHO ARE WILLING TO FIGHT FOR OUR COMMUNITY
We need leadership that represents the
people of Kansas City. People who:
- value family over special interest,
- work to protect our children from street violence,
- value freedom not economic slavery
- value organic neighborhood development as much as
corporate development - hate waste; and
- do more than give speeches and award their friends with powerful positions.
Kenda Tomes McClain has worked hard her entire life to build her career and serve her community. She says, "I love Kansas City and all her people and want to see this city reach its potential. The people of this city should have the opportunity to prosper and flourish not just survive."
OUR PLATFORM
SAFETY
INFRASTRUCTURE
INFRASTRUCTURE
We need to Improve safety in our neighborhoods -
Support law enforcement and encourage them to do their job to protect neighborhoods and law-abiding citizen.
Unfair attacks without support or proper investigation make it very hard to recruit qualified candidates. In 2025, the police report that Kansas City had 139 murders, in 2024 that number was 145. We have already had 17 murders this year.
The law-abiding citizens of this city deserve better and Kenda Tomes McClain will work with local, state and federal law enforcement to reduce violent crime and all crimes. .
INFRASTRUCTURE
INFRASTRUCTURE
INFRASTRUCTURE
We need infrastructure that works. We must invest in the "basics"—fixing our roads and bridges, improving public transit, garbage collection, snow removal and ensuring reliable city services for every neighborhood.
Potholes to be corrected prompltly. Months should not go by before street issues are addressed.
Trash along side public roads should not sit for weeks without being removed. It should be removed when the trucks drive through to pick up trash or when ever a city employee sees it.
When citizens call with a concern they should be given a window of when the trash will be removed.
DEVELOPMENT
INFRASTRUCTURE
DEVELOPMENT
We need to reduce regulations and red tape for homeowners and developers. We need to remove corruption and perception of corruption. Together we need to focus on undeveloped parts of city, such as the north, the east and many southern areas outside of midtown.
Housing codes needs to be comparable with other communities in our area.
Inspection and permit approval times and process should be streamlined. Six months to two years for an inspection or approval is unacceptable.
THE HEART OF OUR MISSION
Kenda Tomes McClain, Leadership for ALL of Kansas City!
Yes, we are all different in many ways but fundamentally Kansas Citizens all want the same thing. We want safe and affordable neighborhoods, affordable homeownership, freedom from violence, freedom from oppression, an excellent education for our children and equal opportunity to prosper and live the American dream.
A Kansas Citian with heart and mind for the people
Kenda Tomes McClain is a real person, down to earth and authentic. She is the same person to everyone. If she returns your calls before the election, she will continue to do so after she wins the election. At left, she is pictured with her husband Mark McClain.
Consider volunteering for our campaign
We need VOLUNTEERS for our campaign. We need people who can walk doors and have conversations with voters (and even register them to vote) and drivers to drive and wait for them. We need people to make phone calls to get out the vote. We also need folks willing to deliver yard signs. We will need folks to stand at the polls on election day and pass out literature and ask for the vote of those coming in to vote. If you can spare a few hours, we are willing to train you.
Let's work together for a better Kansas City
SUPPORT KENDA TODAY
We need your help to power our campaign for the people to VICTORY! Click the DONATE NOW link below or scroll down for the QR code.
GET IN TOUCH
Support a CHANGE in LEADERSHIP in Kansas City
We love Kansas City, so feel free reach out.
Email: kenda@KendaTomesMcClain4KC.com
Phone: 816-829-0177
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