Who's running in Missouri's 1st congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Wesley Bell currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
New political leadership for North St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis.
Opposing socialism and 'radical political ideologies' in St. Louis.
Supporting Missouri's Amendment 3 on the November 2026 ballot.
Unifying frustrated voters against the political status quo.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Bail bondsman; former Democrat who switched to the Republican Party.
Repeated Republican candidate for Missouri's 1st District.
Won the August 4, 2026 Republican primary over Andrew Jones.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
North St. Louis County and the city 'are hurting under current management' and need new political leaders rather than entitled career politicians; he aims to unify frustrated voters against the status quo.
— Paul Berry III, campaign announcement published by The Missouri Times
Arguments against
The district's overwhelmingly Democratic base makes Bell very likely to keep the seat.
— St. Louis Public Radio reporting
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Berry by name from Bell's campaign or the DCCC could be found.
His detailed federal policy positions and fundraising were not found.
The campaign announcement found dates from an earlier run for the seat, when Lacy Clay was the incumbent.
Standing up to the Trump administration on health care, costs and due process.
Regional growth and development for St. Louis, which he calls 'a sleeping giant'.
Tornado relief for St. Louis, working with Missouri Republicans.
A strong US-Israel relationship, while criticising Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Defending voting rights after the Supreme Court weakened the Voting Rights Act.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Missouri's 1st District since January 2025.
Former St. Louis County prosecuting attorney, where he started a diversion advisory committee; former Ferguson City Council member.
Member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees.
Won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary with 59.2% against Cori Bush.
Endorsed by Hakeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi, Emanuel Cleaver, the Congressional Black Caucus and trade unions.
About $7.2 million was spent supporting him in the primary, including $3.1 million by AIPAC's United Democracy Project.
Arguments in favor
'St. Louis is up against a president that is coming after our healthcare, our due process, and the paychecks of working families… I will keep standing up to this reckless and cruel administration every single day.'
— Wesley Bell, post-primary statement reported by the Missouri Independent
He has delivered for the region, including working with Republican lawmakers to pass tornado relief, and brings experience from Ferguson's city council and the county prosecutor's office.
— Wesley Bell, victory speech reported by St. Louis Public Radio
Arguments against
St. Louis deserves 'a representative that sees you, that hears you, that cares about every single one of you' — Bell should be held accountable and be more accessible to constituents.
— Cori Bush, Democratic primary opponent, concession speech reported by St. Louis Public Radio
He was renominated on the back of millions from AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups — spending on his behalf was seven times that for Bush — and declined to call Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide.
— Cori Bush campaign, reported by St. Louis Public Radio and the Missouri Independent
What we couldn’t verify
No criticism of Bell by Paul Berry or the NRCC could be found.
Bell's campaign website could not be located.
Whether Bell will debate Berry had not been reported.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Missouri held its primaries on August 4, 2026 under the 2025 'Missouri First' congressional map. On September 3 the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that map suspended pending a November referendum (Proposition A) and ordered the November election held on the 2022 map, with the nominees already chosen for each district number. Judge Stephen Clark of the Eastern District of Missouri briefly ordered the 2025 map used, but the US Supreme Court stayed that order on September 10. The Secretary of State then directed election authorities to use the 2022 lines. An appeal is set for argument in the Eighth Circuit on September 17, so district lines could still change. Three candidates are certified for the ballot, in the Secretary of State's August 25, 2026 certification order: Republican Paul Berry III, Democratic incumbent Wesley Bell, and Libertarian Tom Schmitz. Under the 2022 map the district covers the city of St. Louis and much of northern St. Louis County. Bell beat former Rep. Cori Bush 59.2% to 36.9% in the Democratic primary, the most expensive candidate primary in Missouri this year; Berry beat Andrew Jones in the Republican primary. The district is overwhelmingly Democratic.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Missouri ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.