Who's running in Missouri's 2nd 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 · Ann Wagner 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.
Making life more affordable for Missouri families.
Protecting families from violent criminals.
Border security and opposition to what her campaign calls 'open borders'.
Opposing transgender athletes in girls' sports.
Opposing tax increases.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Missouri's 2nd District since January 2013.
Voted for the 2025 tax and spending law that cut taxes, restricted immigration and curtailed a Medicaid provider tax.
Won the August 4, 2026 Republican primary with 73.8% over four challengers.
Endorsed by President Trump.
Had about $4.2 million in campaign cash at the latest reporting period cited by St. Louis Magazine.
Her estimated net worth has grown from about $6 million to about $26 million during her time in office, according to Quiver Quantitative.
Arguments in favor
She has 'lived a life of public service focused on making life more affordable for Missouri families, protecting them from violent criminals, and improving the quality of life for her constituents' — a track record of delivering results.
— Arthur Bryant, Wagner campaign spokesman, to St. Louis Magazine
The race is a choice between proven results and 'the Democrats' lurch to the left embracing socialism and the government takeover of your life, open borders, men in girls sports, and higher taxes'.
— Arthur Bryant, Wagner campaign spokesman, to St. Louis Magazine
Arguments against
'The she's gotta go moment came when she voted to cut taxes for multimillionaires like herself while cutting hundreds of thousands of Missourians off health care and raising premiums for the rest of us.'
— Fred Wellman, Democratic opponent, to St. Louis Public Radio
She is out of touch with St. Louis and 'very comfortable in Washington', and her personal wealth has roughly tripled while in office — while a PAC mailer on her behalf showed her in front of an outline of Georgia.
— Fred Wellman, to St. Louis Magazine, citing Quiver Quantitative estimates
What we couldn’t verify
Wagner's campaign website could not be located, so her positions come from her campaign's statements to the press.
Whether Wagner will debate Wellman had not been reported.
The Eighth Circuit could still order a different map, which would change the district's makeup.
Lowering costs for families worried about making ends meet.
Expanding access to health care and reversing Medicaid cuts.
Supporting veterans.
Protecting Social Security and Medicare.
A representative who 'shows up, listens, and takes action'.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Army veteran of 22 years; helicopter pilot and officer.
Former executive director of the Lincoln Project, a group that urged Republicans disillusioned with Trump to back Democrats.
Host of the 'On Democracy' podcast on the MeidasTouch Network.
Has filed for bankruptcy twice and is paying off liens, according to St. Louis Magazine.
Won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary with 45.8% to Joan VonDras's 43.0%.
Had about $240,000 on hand after spending about $900,000 through July.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
'I dedicated 22 years to serving our nation in the Army… the people of the 2nd District deserve a representative who puts service above self and delivers on what matters most: lowering costs, expanding access to health care, supporting our veterans, and protecting Social Security and Medicare.'
— Fred Wellman, campaign announcement reported by St. Louis Public Radio
Under the 2022 map the district is more competitive for Democrats, giving him a more favourable path to unseat Wagner.
— KCUR/St. Louis Public Radio reporting on the Missouri Supreme Court ruling
Arguments against
He is 'an out of touch lackey who had to file for bankruptcy and led the Lincoln Project, the sex scandal plagued group that exists just to take people's money and line their own pockets'.
— Arthur Bryant, Wagner campaign spokesman, to St. Louis Public Radio
He is out of touch with the district, including in his criticism of Republicans who sought to prohibit gender-affirming care for minors.
— Arthur Bryant, Wagner campaign spokesman, to St. Louis Public Radio
What we couldn’t verify
Whether national Democratic groups will invest heavily after his narrow primary win had not been reported.
Whether he will debate Wagner 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 congressional map. On September 3 the Missouri Supreme Court suspended that map pending the November Proposition A referendum and ordered the general election held on the 2022 map with the nominees already chosen; the US Supreme Court stayed a conflicting federal order on September 10, and the Secretary of State directed use of the 2022 lines. An Eighth Circuit appeal is set for argument September 17, so lines could still change. Three candidates are certified, in the Secretary of State's August 25, 2026 order: Republican incumbent Ann Wagner, who won her primary with 73.8%; Democrat Fred Wellman, who beat Joan VonDras 45.8% to 43.0%; and Libertarian Brandon Coulter Daugherty. Under the 2022 map the district takes in parts of St. Louis, St. Charles and Warren counties and all of Franklin County. The 2022 lines are more favourable to Democrats here than the 2025 map would have been. The DCCC listed Wagner as a target. Most forecasters rate the seat likely Republican. As of the latest reports cited by St. Louis Magazine, Wagner had about $4.2 million on hand and Wellman about $240,000.
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.