Missouri general election: November 3, 2026

Who is running for 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), Associate Circuit Judge Division 27, Retention: Judge Kea S. Bird-Riley in 2026?

Here are the candidates for 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), Associate Circuit Judge Division 27, Retention: Judge Kea S. Bird-Riley on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in 16th Judicial Circuit.

This is a retention vote: voters decide yes or no on keeping this judge for another term. Judges may not promise how they would rule, so we show experience and record instead of issue positions.

Kea S. Bird-Riley

· Incumbent

Associate Circuit Judge, Division 27, 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)

Kea S. Bird-Riley serves as Associate Circuit Judge, Division 27, of the 16th Judicial Circuit in Jackson County¹. Kea S. Bird-Riley is up for a yes or no retention vote on Nov 3, 2026, and stays on the bench if a majority votes yes³². The Judicial Performance Review committee recommends that the judge should be retained¹.

Associate Circuit Judge, 16th Judicial Circuit Court, since December 2020¹
Before appointment: Family Court Commissioner; associate attorney at Krigel and Krigel and at Stauffer and Nathan; staff attorney at Jackson County CASA; clerked for Judge Charles E. Atwell¹
Bachelor's from Mississippi College and law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City¹
Appointed to the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in December 2020 under the Missouri Plan (nominated by a judicial commission, selected by the governor)¹².
Bar poll: The Judicial Performance Review committee recommends that the judge should be retained.

Last reviewed 2026-10-08. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.