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Stephanie Burton
Stephanie Burton (Democratic Party) ran for election for Jackson County Prosecutor in Missouri. She lost in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2024.
Burton completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Stephanie Burton was born in Fountain Valley, California. She earned a high school diploma from Valley View High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2005, a graduate degree from the University of Central Missouri in 2007, and a law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2010. Her career experience includes working as a lawyer and a probation and parole officer.
Burton has been affiliated with the Association for Women Lawyers, the Missouri Bar Association, the Kansas Bar Association, the Jackson County Bar Association, and the NAACP.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Jackson County, Missouri (2024)
General election
General election for Jackson County Prosecutor
Melesa Johnson defeated Tracey Chappell in the general election for Jackson County Prosecutor on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Melesa Johnson (D) | 57.0 | 175,656 | |
 | Tracey Chappell (R) | 42.8 | 132,137 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 603 | ||
| Total votes: 308,396 | |||
 = 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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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Jackson County Prosecutor
Melesa Johnson defeated John Gromowsky and Stephanie Burton in the Democratic primary for Jackson County Prosecutor on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Melesa Johnson | 38.5 | 11,147 | |
 | John Gromowsky | 32.4 | 9,396 | |
 | Stephanie Burton | 29.1 | 8,440 | |
| Total votes: 28,983 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Jackson County Prosecutor
Tracey Chappell advanced from the Republican primary for Jackson County Prosecutor on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tracey Chappell | 100.0 | 26,585 |
| Total votes: 26,585 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Burton in this election.
2022
See also: Municipal elections in Jackson County, Missouri (2022)
General election
General election for Jackson County Legislature District 2 At-large
Donna Peyton defeated John Murphy in the general election for Jackson County Legislature District 2 At-large on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Donna Peyton (D) | 59.3 | 125,709 |
| John Murphy (R) | 40.5 | 85,829 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 335 | ||
| Total votes: 211,873 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Jackson County Legislature District 2 At-large
Donna Peyton defeated Zac Sweets and Ryan Meyer in the Democratic primary for Jackson County Legislature District 2 At-large on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Donna Peyton | 64.6 | 37,559 |
 | Zac Sweets | 22.6 | 13,139 | |
 | Ryan Meyer | 12.8 | 7,456 | |
| Total votes: 58,154 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Stephanie Burton (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Jackson County Legislature District 2 At-large
John Murphy defeated Bob Stringfield in the Republican primary for Jackson County Legislature District 2 At-large on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Murphy | 65.1 | 22,166 | |
| Bob Stringfield | 34.9 | 11,908 | ||
| Total votes: 34,074 | |||
| = 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
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Stephanie Burton completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Burton's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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During college Burton interned with the United States Probation and Pre-Trial Service Office. Burton later worked as a probation and parole officer with the Missouri Department of Probation and Parole. In law school Burton interned with the Midwestern Innocence Project and the Death Penalty Litigation Clinic.
After graduating from law school, Burton founded the Law Office of Stephanie M. Burton. Burton is a consummate criminal trial attorney with 14 years of legal practice. Burton has a wealth of trial experience having tried over 40 jury trials and over 100 bench trials in both state and federal courts. The focus of Burton’s legal practice has involved high-stakes cases such as homicides and other violent crimes, drug distribution, and federal conspiracy.
Burton has played a pivotal role in shaping policy and best practices for conviction integrity units, leading to the exoneration of wrongfully convicted individuals.
Burton is a devoted single mother of four children and a proud grandmother of six grandchildren.- Violent crime and property crime in Jackson County has escalated because elected officials and current leadership at the prosecutor’s office have decided to play politics rather than prioritize public safety. This culture of lawlessness has resulted in record-breaking homicides and non-fatal shootings, unaddressed property crimes, and understaffed law enforcement agencies. Residents of Jackson County deserve leadership in the prosecutor’s office that will swiftly prosecute violent offenders, drug crimes, and property crimes, and deliver justice for victims.
- Trust has eroded between the community and the prosecutor’s office and the prosecutor’s office and police departments. The community plays a vital role in solving crimes and ensuring victims receive the justice they deserve. I am committed to restoring trust by listening to community concerns and respecting the role of law enforcement. I will not allow cases submitted for prosecution to sit on my desk. Those who choose to commit crime will be prosecuted swiftly and fairly. The current practice of not prosecuting drug offenses, property crimes, and public nuisance offenses will end during my administration.
- I'm committed to helping exonerate the wrongfully accused and removing barriers for those previously convicted for non-violent offenses.
My administration will establish a well-resourced and fully staffed Conviction Integrity Unit to investigate cases where there exists a possibility for wrongful conviction.
My office will automatically review and initiate expungements for those previously convicted for non-violent crimes on all eligible offenses under the Missouri statute. This will ensure the cost of seeking an expungement does not serve as a barrier to advancement. Those who have paid their debt to society should not have permanent roadblocks to their success. Every person deserves opportunities for a better life.
Jackson County has the highest rate of wrongful convictions in the state of Missouri. It is not justice to convict the wrong person. Prosecutors must be willing to admit the mistakes of previous administrations, work to exonerate the wrongfully convicted, and ensure the right person is arrested and held accountable.
U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan is also an influence. Her strength and quiet confidence, but also her ability to be bold are qualities I truly admire and wish to emulate as an elected official. Her book "Speaking the Truth with Elegant Thunder" is one of my favorites.
Also, Michael Sandel's book "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" is a great book because it explores the concepts of justice through real-life examples and ethical dilemmas. Sandel challenges us to think about how we should make decisions about right and wrong, and whether there are universal principles that should guide our choices. He challenges us to think critically about our own beliefs and values, and to consider how these beliefs shape our understanding of justice.
Second, an elected official must possess empathy. The ability to understand and share the feelings of others is critical. It’s not enough to hear the voices of the people; one must truly listen and be moved to action by their concerns and aspirations.
Third, we need leaders with vision. Leaders who can look beyond the immediate challenges and envision a brighter future. They must inspire hope and have the courage to pursue bold ideas that can transform our communities for the better.
Finally, an elected official must have resilience. The road of public service is fraught with obstacles and opposition. It requires perseverance, the ability to learn from setbacks, and an unwavering dedication to serving the public good.
I am also an effective leader who has built a successful law practice, served in the community in various capacities, and raised my children as a divorced single mother.
A county prosecutor must also prioritize the safety and well-being of the community. This involves working diligently to prosecute serious crimes and hold offenders accountable while also focusing on preventative measures and rehabilitation programs that can reduce recidivism and promote long-term safety.
Furthermore, a prosecutor must demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability. The public must have confidence that their prosecutor is acting in the best interests of justice, free from political influence or personal bias. Open communication and a willingness to engage with the community are essential in building and maintaining this trust.
I also believe the most vulnerable in our communities deserve protection. This includes advocating for the rights of victims, ensuring they receive the support and resources they need, and addressing systemic issues that may contribute to injustice or inequality within the legal system.
Financial transparency means that taxpayers know exactly how their money is being spent. It's about making sure that every dollar is accounted for and that government expenditures are open to public scrutiny. This isn't just about numbers on a page; it's about ensuring that our resources are used wisely and that our priorities reflect the values and needs of the people.
Government accountability goes hand in hand with transparency. It's about holding our leaders to the highest standards of integrity and performance. When officials are accountable, they must answer for their actions. They must be willing to explain their decisions, admit mistakes, and take corrective actions when necessary.
In a transparent and accountable government, there are no backroom deals, no hidden agendas. Everything is out in the open, where the public can see it. This openness fosters a culture of honesty and ethical behavior, and it empowers citizens to participate more fully in the democratic process.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2022
Stephanie Burton did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Jackson County Prosecutor |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 23, 2024
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State of Missouri Jefferson City (capital) |
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