Dennis Sharkey
Special to the Citizen
A Platte City woman running for the Democratic nomination to run for the Missouri Sixth Congressional District to unseat Sam Graves describes herself as a fighter ready to take that energy to Washington, D.C.
Dr. Gena Ross is originally from Minneapolis, Minn., but has lived in Platte City for about 10 years. Ross said her ex-husband told her she couldn’t make it on her own so she moved to Missouri to start a new life.
“This is the ‘Show me State’ right?” Ross said to the Platte County Citizen in a phone interview. “I made a bold move; I’m very bold and courageous. Tell me what I can’t do and I’ll show you what I can.”
Ross brought her three children to Platte City with her; all three have graduated from Platte County R-3 school. Ross got her master’s degree in public administration and her doctorate in public policy and administration. Ross currently teaches at Kansas City, Kan., Community College and is an adjunct professor at Baker University.
“I’m a firm believer in social change and I want to be the change I want to see,” Ross said. “If you don’t like something and you want to make it better you have to work together with people. I believe in empowering others.”
Ross said she’s heard the stories and complaints about Graves; that he hasn’t held a town hall in several years and doesn’t really communicate with constituents. Ross said that’s not her style.
“When you see stuff needs to be done you roll up your sleeves and you try,” Ross said. “When other people won’t speak up for themselves you speak up for them even if you face some opposition. I’m not afraid of anybody; I’m a people person and I know no stranger.”
Ross said if elected she’ll personally meet with folks around the Sixth District. The Sixth District is one of the largest geographically in the country with 37 counties. Ross said she’s interested in hearing from people.
“I don’t want to do anything without talking to the constituents,” Ross said. “I can’t tell you what you need in (Holt County) better than you can tell me because you know what you need.”
Ross grew up about four blocks from where the George Floyd murder happened in late May. Her mother still lives in the area and when the events began to unfold it was scary. Ross said she followed the events on Facebook live.
“She’s a senior citizen,” Ross said of her mother. “I wasn’t sleeping at all. It was scary.”
As a black woman Ross said she is mindful there are people in the world who hate others because of who they are or the color of their skin.
“If people will see you for who you are and what’s in your heart and your willingness to help them it shouldn’t matter what you look like,” Ross said. “If you’re a human being you’re a human being and deserve respect.”
The three main issues driving Ross’ campaign are education, healthcare and access to well paying jobs. Ross wants families to spend more time together without the worry of struggling.
“Being a single mom I know the struggle is real,” Ross said. “More than just make it; more than just survive but to thrive. People should be able to live comfortably without living paycheck to paycheck.”
Ross said she supports Medicaid expansion which will also be on the August ballot. Ross recently spent two different stays in the hospital for COVID-19 (see related story) and realizes the need for access to affordable healthcare. Ross is for letting people keep their private insurance but also believes it’s time for a public option. Even with health insurance the recent hospital stays are a financial burden.
“As soon as I got out of the hospital those bills started coming,” Ross said. “I don’t think people should be dying because they don’t have healthcare or cannot afford to go to the doctor.”
Ross also supports raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
“How do you expect anyone to come up out of poverty?” Ross said. “You can work real hard but you still might not make it.”
Ross back on the trail after COVID-19 battle
When Dr. Gena Ross, Platte City, decided to run as a Democrat for the Missouri Sixth Congressional District seat she knew it would be a battle, but not one that would have her ending up in the hospital fighting for her life after getting COVID-19.
Ross, a mother of three and college professor, was out on the campaign trail in March where she was in close contact with constituents from where she believes she got the disease. Ross said she went home and thought she had a cold for about a week after the event. When the second week rolled around things changed for the worst.
“I was gasping for air,” Ross said. “I felt like I was on my last leg.”
Ross called the hospital and they told her to come in. She was so weak that she couldn’t make it out of bed. Ross said officials at the hospital even called back because it was taking her so long to respond. That’s when she called her daughter to come pick her up and take her to St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City North.
“She felt bad dropping me off at the door like that,” Ross said. “I staggered in.”
Ross spent two different stints at the hospital; once for four days and another visit that lasted five days before she was sent home for good. Since, Ross has been tested twice in May and both times came back negative for COVID-19.
“I’m a survivor; I’m a miracle,” Ross said. “COVID-19 is nothing nice and it does not discriminate.”
While Ross was in the hospital doctors and nurses were constantly asking questions. She noticed other people in the hospital with COVID-19 were all being affected in different ways.
“It’s so new they don’t know,” Ross said about the doctors’ ability to get a grasp on the disease.
Ross just recently got back on the campaign trail but she’s being a lot more cautious about how she does it.
Last month she briefly joined a rally in Parkville to speak but didn’t stay for the rest of the event. Ross is trying to keep up with things through Zoom meetings.
“I listened to a few other people talk,” Ross said about the Parkville event before leaving. “I’m being careful and I’m trying to campaign the best I can virtually.”
Ross said she’s also taking a break from doing a lot in her personal life as well.
“I don’t go out a lot,” Ross said. “I might pick up some food from a drive-through. The other day I went to the track just to walk around and try to be outside for a minute.”
Ross said COVID-19 was just a setback and she’s ready to hit the ground running.
“I don’t want to be left out of anything,” Ross said about the campaign. “I’m a fighter and I’m going to push through.”