Appeals court upholds politicians’ ability to act politically

Melissa Howard convinced a jury that elected officials can be held liable for being sensitive to racial politics. An appeals court says she is entitled to nothing.

In 2008, a Platte County jury awarded Howard $2.1 million after hearing evidence that the Kansas City Council took race into account when it rejected Howard and two other white women for a position as a municipal court judge. The council asked for a more diverse slate candidates, which took Howard, an experienced prosecutor, out of the running.

Howard spoke to The Pitch about her case in 2008. She described her treatment as “egregious.”