Jackson County Democratic Committee

State Representative Gail McCann Beatty

Gail is a native Kansas Citian and a 21 year resident of the 43^rdDistrict.  Her love for the community and the political arena developed at an early age working in political campaigns with her father, Willie McCann, as early as 7 years old.  At age 18 Gail was elected to her first seat as committeewoman for the then 27^thWard, Gail was elected a second time as committeewoman for the 17th Ward in 1992.

Gail is a graduate of Pembroke Hill School and went on to pursue her undergraduate degree from Stanford University in Political Science.  Following her love for politics, she participated in American University’s Washington Semester Program in Washington DC and interned with former Congressman Alan Wheat.  Gail returned home to Kansas City after Graduation from Stanford University.

Gail married her college sweetheart, Bruce Beatty.  They recently celebrated their 22^ndwedding anniversary.  Gail and Bruce started attending St. James United Methodist Church where they served as youth advisors for several years.  Gail has also served as a trustee of the church, and in other volunteer capacities.

After graduating college, Gail joined her parents in the family Real Estate Business.  Following in her father’s footsteps, she became a Real Estate Appraiser and Broker.  Her experience in the Real Estate industry gives her a real understanding of the challenges of the 43^rdDistrict as it relates to foreclosures and the decline of the Real Estate Market.  In addition, Gail has served as local chapter president of the Greater Kansas City Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc. and the Kansas City Chapter of the National Society of Real Estate Appraisers.  Other real estate experience includes advisor to the Jackson County Board of Equalization and member of the Missouri Real Estate Appraisers Advisory Council.

Gail was appointed to the Missouri Tourism Commission in 2000 by Governor Mel Carnahan.  She served on Tourism for three years and resigned to serve on the Missouri Real Estate Appraisers Commission (MREAC).  The purpose of MREAC is to enforce and regulate policies to protect the interest of the general public.

In January 2004, Gail pursued another interest in financial services.  With a target market of middle income Americans, she is helping families to get out of debt and plan for their future.  As part of her commitment to the community, she partnered with the Mid Continent Libraries to provide free financial seminars.  She also provides free financial and life planning seminars to local churches and community groups.

Upon completing four years of service to the MREAC and the death of her father, Gail made the decision to resign from the MREAC, scale down the family real estate business and her financial services business in order to provide guidance and care for her mother, MacNadine McCann, who was suffering from cortical basal ganglionic degeneration, a debilitating disease that robbed her mom of speech and independence.

After her mother’s death in 2009, Gail felt it was now time to refocus her efforts on the community she loves and in 2010 she declared her candidacy for State Representative for the 43^rdDistrict.