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Rita Cortes
Rita Cortes is a member of the Kansas City Public Schools Board of Education, representing Sub-district 1. She assumed office in 2019. Her current term ends in 2029.
Cortes ran for re-election to the Kansas City Public Schools Board of Education to represent Sub-district 1. She won in the general election on April 8, 2025.
Biography
Cortes' professional experience includes working as executive director at the Menorah Heritage Foundation, business owner, and attorney in private practice. She earned her B.A. from Rice University in 1987, J.D. from George Washington University in 1991, and LL.M from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2012. Cortes is affiliated with Truman Medical Centers, KC CARE Health Center, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Notre Dame de Sion School, the Pembroke Hill School, and the Midwest Innocence Project.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: Kansas City Public Schools, Missouri, elections (2025)
General election
General election for Kansas City Public Schools Board of Education Sub-district 1
Incumbent Rita Cortes defeated Kelly Thompson in the general election for Kansas City Public Schools Board of Education Sub-district 1 on April 8, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Rita Cortes (Nonpartisan) | 71.6 | 5,091 |
 | Kelly Thompson (Nonpartisan)  | 27.7 | 1,967 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.8 | 54 | ||
| Total votes: 7,112 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Cortes received the following endorsements.
2021
See also: Kansas City Public Schools, Missouri, elections (2021)
General election
General election for Kansas City Public Schools Board of Education Sub-district 1
Incumbent Rita Cortes won election in the general election for Kansas City Public Schools Board of Education Sub-district 1 on April 6, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rita Cortes (Nonpartisan) | 97.4 | 4,677 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.6 | 125 | ||
| Total votes: 4,802 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2019
See also: Kansas City Public Schools, Missouri, elections (2019)
General election
General election for Kansas City Public Schools Board of Education Sub-district 1
Rita Cortes defeated incumbent Matthew Oates in the general election for Kansas City Public Schools Board of Education Sub-district 1 on April 2, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rita Cortes (Nonpartisan) | 65.8 | 5,135 |
 | Matthew Oates (Nonpartisan) | 33.5 | 2,615 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 57 | ||
| Total votes: 7,807 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rita Cortes did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.
2021
Rita Cortes did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
"Every child in Kansas City deserves a quality education. The success and stability of Kansas City Public Schools is crucial. Through my business, legal and community experience, I've learned that listening first is the key to addressing complex challenges. Providing a strong board leadership base is essential to empower professional educators to innovate and create partnerships across traditional divides. I will provide such board leadership to sustain KCPS on a positive trajectory." |
” |
| —Rita Cortes[1] | ||
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rita Cortes did not complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Kansas City Public Schools Board of Education Sub-district 1 |
Personal |
Footnotes
