Jackson County Democratic Committee

Mike Sanders was born and raised in the Kansas City, Missouri area. He has always called Greater KC home, even when away from home during his service as a United States Army officer and while a student at the Ohio State University (OSU) School of Law.

Education & Military Service

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Mike set out for Ohio State. But when tensions in the Middle East began to heat up in the early 1990s, Mike left law school after one semester and volunteered for military service. The Army promoted him to the rank of First Lieutenant.

Upon completing his military service, the Gulf War veteran resumed his studies and earned his Juris Doctorate from the OSU School of Law in 1994. He was voted the Best Advocate at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s National Jury Trial competition.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Mike embarked on his law career in 1994 in the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. He served as a special prosecutor for the Jackson County Drug Task Force and was the lead attorney for D.A.R.T. (Drug Abatement Response Team). He personally prosecuted drug dealers, armed robbers, rapists and murderers.

Mike made a dramatic and immediate impact as a prosecutor. In 1995, he received the Rookie Prosecutor of the Year award from the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office. That same year Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) named Mike the Top Prosecutor of the Year for the state of Missouri, and MADD’s Heartland Chapter presented him the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award.

In 1997, Mike entered private practice, yet continued to serve the County’s citizens as an appointed special counsel by the Jackson County Prosecutor’s office.

Jackson County Prosecutor

Mike was first elected Jackson County Prosecutor in 2002, then reelected in 2004. During his tenure as the elected Prosecutor, he retooled and strengthened the County’s jailing procedures, pioneered legislation and enlisted extensive DNA testing to convict perpetrators of both recent crimes and dozens of previously unsolved “cold cases.” He also pursued the prosecution of several serial killers, and he streamlined spending and accountability measures in the County’s COMBAT Program.

“The Silence Is Killing Us”

When Kansas City’s murder rate reached record highs in 2005, hitting the inner city hardest, Sanders stepped up with a 5-Point Plan that meant:

1. more officers apprehending fugitives,
2. more help for police detectives,
3. more County drug task force efforts fighting street sales,
4. a call for more jail space,
5. and an innovative public awareness campaign based on a “Silence Is Killing Us” theme to persuade witnesses to “break the silence” and help solve crimes.

Rising Above The Fear

A powerful barrier to solving these homicides was the fear of coming forward and the prevalent attitude of not “snitching”. In the fall of 2005, Mike joined with citizens in the community to launch “Silence Is Killing Us.” The campaign put existing dollars and more innovative strategies to work in creating safer communities.

The campaign, beginning with rallies in the Prospect and Troost corridors, focused on the neighborhoods most affected by the homicides and it exceeded many of its goals.

• More than 50,000 households were contacted with informational flyers and signs.

• Area businesses graciously donated a total of 35 billboards for the campaign.

• The initiative created a public service campaign for television and radio. In partnership with the family members of homicide victims, five powerful yet poignant Public Service Announcements were aired.

• $30,000 in COMBAT funds went to the Kansas City Police Department to pay for two sergeants and 16 detectives working 791 additional overtime hours on homicide cases.

• Local and Federal law enforcement throughout Jackson County came forward to assist in serving outstanding active warrants.

Ordinary citizens in the community played a critical role in this effort. Without their selfless and even courageous involvement, none of it would be possible. The Jackson County Prosecutors Office (Web LINK) continues to address long term issues as a result of this campaign and is examining viable options to address the shortage of space in the Jackson County Detention, while offering better treatment opportunities for offenders in custody.

Memberships & Family

Mike is a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Missouri Prosecutor’s Association, the American Legion, Missouri Association of Trial Attorney’s, American Trial Lawyer Association and an active member of the Mizzou Alumni Association.

Mike and his wife, Georgia Cardwell Sanders, are the proud parents of two sons, Jonathan Michael and Patrick David. The family resides in Independence.