Missouri Representative Wick Thomas Opens First In-District Office in Kansas City’s West Bottoms

Kansas City, MO – Missouri State Representative Wick Thomas (D-District 19) celebrated the opening of their first in-district office on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Kansas City’s historic West Bottoms neighborhood. The new office, located at 1427 W. 9th Street, Suite 204, aims to improve constituent access to state government services.

A New Resource for District 19

Representative Thomas, elected in November 2024 and assuming office on January 8, 2025, sought a more accessible location to serve the needs of their constituents. The office is located within space provided by Bridging The Gap Director Scott Wagner. Wagner expressed his pleasure in hosting the new office and serving as landlord to both Representative Thomas and in-district liaison, Edgar Palacios.

Key Staff and Services

Edgar Palacios, founder and CEO of Revolucion Educativa and a Northeast resident, will serve as the in-district liaison. Palacios will be available to meet with constituents, address state-level issues, and facilitate resolutions without requiring travel to Jefferson City. Legislative Aide Hussein Amari, based in Jefferson City, also attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, noting his enthusiasm for connecting with the district firsthand.

Community Support and Historical Significance

The opening was met with support from the Historic West Bottoms Association, with Chairman Bruce Holloway welcoming Thomas and Palacios. Holloway noted the Hobbs building, originally constructed in 1905 as a warehouse, has a long history as a central hub in the area and already hosts state entities like MoDOT and the Department of Corrections.

Accessibility and Multilingual Support

The District 19 office is equipped to assist constituents in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Kirundi, and Swahili, emphasizing a commitment to inclusive and accessible services. Palacios and Thomas will share the office, with Palacios typically available on Monday mornings and Thomas on Fridays.

Contact Information

Constituents can schedule appointments by emailing wick.thomas@house.mo.gov or calling 573-751-3310. This office represents the third statewide location offering in-district services, joining existing offices in Springfield and the Ozark area.

About Representative Wick Thomas

Wick Thomas is the first openly transgender or non-binary state legislator in Missouri. Prior to entering politics, Thomas worked as a librarian and held positions at the Kansas City Public Library, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and Metropolitan Community College. More information about Representative Thomas can be found on their Wikipedia page.