Manuel "Manny" Abarca IV prides himself on his working-class upbringing, as the son of a 30-year Teamster father and a dedicated, loving mother of three who worked her whole life, setting an example of perseverance and the value of education. He has spent his entire life in the Kansas City Metropolitan area and now calls Kansas City, MO’s Historic Northeast neighborhood home, where he lives with his wife, Alexis, daughter, Camila, and son, Luca.
Manny Abarca represents Jackson County’s First District. He serves as the Chair for the Health and Environment Committee where he continues to be a strong advocate and leader for gun violence prevention. Additionally, Manny sits on the Anti-Crime Committee and the Housing & Homelessness Committee. Outside of government, he works for a regionally focused non-profit that is focused on prevailing wage and Davis-Bacon compliance.
Experience
Prior to being elected as a Jackson County Legislator, Manny served as the Treasurer of the Kansas City Public School Board. He also served Congressman Emanuel Cleaver as his Deputy District Director.
Manny has previously served his community on the Guadalupe Center Educational Systems Board of Directors and serves, or has served, on the Board of Directors for: MoKan Goodwill, ReDiscover Mental Health Clinics, Samuel Rodgers Health Center, Healing House Inc., the Northeast Chamber of Commerce, Historic Kansas City Foundation, and the Indian Mound Neighborhood Association. He also represents the 12th Ward on the Jackson County Democratic Committee and is a past member of the Executive Board of the Missouri Democratic Party.
Education
He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Central Missouri and is pursuing his Doctorate from Mizzou.
2024 Committee Assignments
- Anti-Crime
- Health & Environment (Chairman)
- Housing &Homelessness
Health & Environment Committee Presentations