“Pat is exactly who the Democrats need on the statewide ticket.” — Kansas City Mayor Sly James on Tuesday endorsing another Kansas Citian, Pat Contreras, for Missouri treasurer.

This is low-hanging fruit for Contreras, who is trying to jump-start his upstart campaign. Contreras is a former diplomat and employee of the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City. He fills a vacancy for the party on next year’s statewide ballot.