Nathan Barnes, the veteran Wyandotte County commissioner who finished third in last month’s mayoral primary, ended several weeks of silence Saturday by announcing his support for Ann Murguia.

“All the tools are on the table for us to turn this around,” Barnes said about his decision to back his fellow commissioner as the best choice to continue the county’s recent progress.

Murguia and the first-place primary finisher Mark Holland, who also is a county commissioner, square off in the April 2 general election.

At a rally in downtown Kansas City, Kan., Murguia also trotted out endorsements from three other commissioners: Angela Markley, Butch Ellison and Mike Kane. She also picked up the backing of former Mayor Joe Steineger; state Reps. Stan Frownfelter and Tom Burroughs, both of Kansas City, Kan.; former mayoral candidate Elmer Sharp and Sheriff Don Ash.

The event was Murguia’s answer to two high-profile Holland endorsements. Last month, he won the backing of current mayor/CEO Joe Reardon and his predecessor, Carol Marinovich.

Murguia’s campaign trumpeted the endorsements as a sign of momentum.

“It’s about not only expanding on the success we’ve had, but having a legitimate plan for the future,” the Murguia campaign said in a statement.

To reach Steve Kraske, call 816-234-4312 or send e-mail to skraske@kcstar.com.