I worked along side Dr. McCandless when she returned to Independence after completing her medical training. She is an intelligent, honest and caring individual who genuinely cares about Independence. She works well with many different factions and puts others and the city's best interests before her own. Independence would be fortunate to have her as their next mayor!

— Mary Wurtz

Independence deserves a leader who sees possibility, not limitation, and Bridget brings that vision with unmatched energy. She understands what it takes to turn bold ideas into real results, and her experience and knowledge give her the steady hand to make Independence thrive. I believe in her ability to build a stronger future for this community, which is why I am proud to endorse and support Bridget.

— Michael Russell

"I see you are running for office and my mom told me you were looking for places for yard signs. I was so shocked that my mom reached out I forgot to respond to her. She has been anti politics as long as I’ve known her. In fact my best friend who I’ve known since we were 14 ran for something back in the mid-90s and she wouldn’t let him put up a yard sign. So that should be on one of your campaign flyers that you’ve got lifelong anti-yard sign people to change their ways is a good indication that you can do anything.”

— John Fellows

“Bridget cares, she shows up, and she understands the issues. It is refreshing to see someone truly dedicate themselves to a community, and it has been a joy to see how she executes on various efforts.”

— Alfredo Garcia

“Bridget has the qualities to be Mayor. She is knowledgeable about the important community issues, good communicator, ethical, hard worker, and results orientated.”

— Steve Roling

“Bridget knows the difference between right and wrong. She has demonstrated throughout her career that she has the courage to do what is right and the courage to AVOID doing what is wrong! Your leadership will make a significant contribution to the City.”

— Ron Bruch

The saying that “elections have consequences” has never been truer. upcoming mayoral election will have profound implications for the future of Independence, and we have an opportunity to elect an uncommonly well qualified next mayor in Bridget McCandless.

If the past is the best predictor of future success, then let’s examine Bridget’s career. As a physician, she was dedicated to serving Independence including those who couldn’t afford the high cost of health care. When so many are attracted to medicine for financial rewards, establishing the free clinic says volumes about her heart and soul.

For six years she led one of the most consequential philanthropies in the region, the Health Forward Foundation, investing in making Independence and surrounding cities healthier, again, speaking volumes about Bridget’s dedication to others. Our city has been the beneficiary of that same spirit as she has served as an at-large council member, leading on difficult issues by asking the hard questions. That’s easy when the answers please everyone, but today’s complex policy questions deserve strong, decisive leadership.

Independence’s future deserves someone with vision, an unwavering moral compass, and the intellect to understand the complexity of our rapidly changing future. What role will technology play? How will outside funding sources like the county, state and federal dollars impact budgeting? How can we make Independence a great place to live and work with an eye on affordability?

Here’s our chance, fellow citizens. Elect Bridget McCandless mayor

- Gary Abram

We are proud to endorse Dr. Bridget McCandless in her candidacy for Mayor of Independence, MO. Dr. McCandless is a former President of the Kansas City Medical Society. In this role, she showed remarkable leadership, collaboration, and a strong commitment to the health and well-being of our community.

Besides her work at the Kansas City Medical Society, Dr. McCandless has taken on leadership roles in various community health organizations. She continually pushes for policies that enhance public health, increase access to care, and assist vulnerable groups.

As a physician, Dr. McCandless provides a unique viewpoint in public service, one based on science, compassion, and practical solutions. Her experience leading complex organizations, working across different sectors, and fostering agreement makes her well suited to serve as Mayor of Independence, MO.

We believe Dr. McCandless's proven leadership and dedication to our community make her an excellent candidate for Mayor of Independence. We are confident she will serve with the same commitment and excellence that have characterized her medical and civic leadership.

- Kansas City Medical Society

Vote for Bridget. Honest, smart, hardworking and forward thinking. She will be a great leader who represents us in Independence. Oh yes, I failed to mention that she is kind, generous and compassionate along with her other qualities.

— Laurie Anne May-Gremillion

“I’ve had the privilege of working side by side with Dr. McCandless while volunteering at the Shared Free Health Clinic. She truly has boundless energy for the people of Independence and cares about the future of our city. As a physician myself, I commend her the selfless hours she has spent improving the lives of not just her patients but of everyone in our community. She’s the perfect candidate to lead Independence into a promising future.”

— K. Gay Purcell

During our working years in Independence, we met some exceptional people. Dr. Bridget McCandless certainly fits that description.

As an internist with a busy practice, she served many Independence seniors and also worked at University Health (formerly Truman Medical Lakewood). It was there that she became interested in public health. That interest turned into a passion that resulted in the creation of the Shared Care Free Clinic of Jackson County in April 2000. The clinic grew to serve more than 2,000 patients who had expensive chronic illnesses but did not have access to traditional indigent care programs.

She was then offered the position as CEO of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, where she made daily decisions based on what she’d learned from her patients. One, that better systems can be created when we listen to each other and two, that we should never underestimate the power of high expectations.

Bridget is a brilliant, educated woman with proven leadership skills which she has shown as an at-large council member on the Independence City Council. What makes her stand out is that with all this experience she still maintains a passion to serve others.

- Liz and Gary McClure