The Independence mayor race is set to begin on Tuesday, with a choice between longtime union leader Kevin King and current city council member Dr. Bridget McCandless. Key issues include plans for a massive artificial intelligence data center in the northeast part of the city, which is planned for 400 acres and includes a 90 percent tax abatement. However, a citizens' petition seeking a public vote on this plan was rejected by a judge, who ruled against public voting on it. Current Mayor Rory Rowland of Independence has called this "the SINGLE BIGGEST ECONOMIC DISASTER IN INDEPENDENCE HISTORY" in his history. The city's current mayor also supports the controversial AI data center project.