Charlie Wheeler for mayor — again!

Oh, the re-do opportunities.

While everyone waits to hear whether the effort to recall Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser is on or off, Kansas City Star political reporter Steve Kraske reports that one possible Funkhouser challenger might be Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders. We’ve also  learned of another candidate who might have thrown his bow-tie into the ring: Charlie Wheeler.

Mark Vasto of the scrappy Parkville Luminary wrapped up his June 5 failed-recall story with this: “Former Mayor Charles Wheeler confirmed to the Luminary … that he would have ran [sic] against Funkhouser if the issue made it to the August ballot.” Vasto tells us that Wheeler would have run only in the event of a recall; the legendary 1970s-era mayor (who more recently served as a state senator), didn’t seem interested in challenging all comers in the next general election.

Less interesting than a possible repeat of the 2006 Sanders vs. Wheeler (vs. Richard Tolbert) race for county exec is simply imagining what Wheeler would do if he got another couple of years as mayor. Last time he held the office was 1979. Among the many problems stacking up since then: The city acquired Kemper Arena during his tenure — maybe he’d know what to do with it now that it’s outlived its natural life. 

We’re awaiting a call back from Wheeler and will post any noteworthy updates.