Natasha Klue-Michael joined the Morning NewsWatch to discuss her campaign for Joplin City Council

Natasha Klue-Michael, a candidate for Joplin City Council, recently appeared on KZRG Morning Newswatch to share her background, reasons for running, and priorities ahead of the April 7 election.

Klue-Michael introduced herself as a barber at Brush and Blade, where she has been self-employed for the last seven years after working in hair for 12 years total. She moved to Joplin shortly before her 21st birthday in 2008 from Iola, Kansas, a town of about 5,000 people. She came for cosmetology school, graduating in 2014, and met her wife in 2009. She noted that Joplin's population has grown from around 50,000 to 53,000 since her arrival.

This is her second run for city council, having previously campaigned in 2024. She became interested in local politics around 2018, when she was asked to run for a state House or Senate seat but felt she was not ready. She joked about eventually pursuing those seats after city council experience.

Klue-Michael explained her motivation for running by saying she wants representation on the council that reflects her demographic—younger, in her income bracket—and includes diverse perspectives. She emphasized amplifying the voices of residents rather than just her own, ensuring people feel represented.

If elected, her top priorities focus on transportation and community initiatives. On transportation, she supports improving public transit, including better hours and extended routes for the trolley system, which she credited groups like One Joplin and the city for restarting. She highlighted challenges for workers with later shifts or those living farther out. She also advocates for more and better bike lanes—separated from roads for safety—as she cycles to work when weather permits.

In community efforts, she calls for more education on civic processes, such as how to address council or apply for boards and commissions. As a current commissioner on the Planning and Zoning Board, she gained experience after narrowly missing a council seat by 300 votes in her prior run. She also proposes a community garden to educate on growing native plants and food, helping address high grocery prices and support families by fostering mutual care.

When asked why voters should choose her, Klue-Michael described herself as teachable and unafraid to ask questions or seek help. In her barber role, she interacts daily with people from varied backgrounds, income levels, religions, and political views, listening to their concerns and finding ways to implement ideas. She values building relationships with city employees and citizens, admitting when she lacks knowledge, researching thoroughly, and being transparent rather than pretending expertise. She highlighted her approachability and likability once people look beyond appearances like her blue hair or nose ring.

On the proposed data center involving land annexation and rezoning, Klue-Michael said she would have voted no on both as a Planning and Zoning commissioner. She addressed the council twice—in January and February meetings—urging them to table the decision due to insufficient information. She supports collecting petition signatures for a public vote and would maintain her opposition until more details are available, emphasizing the need for council to request additional information before proceeding.

In her elevator pitch, she urged voters to support her because she will amplify their voices, listen actively, ensure representation, and pursue issues where council falls short. She stressed her eagerness to research and represent everyone. She encouraged higher voter turnout in the April election, noting low participation (such as only 37 voters at one location by 6 p.m. in past cycles and about 5,000 total voters), and called for registration, rides to polls, and research on candidates, as April winners influence November outcomes.

Voters can learn more via her Facebook page (Natasha for Joplin City Council or Natasha Klue-Michael Council), Instagram, and TikTok by searching Natasha Klue-Michael.