Who's running in Missouri's 4th 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 · Mark Alford 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.
Supporting President Trump's agenda, including the war with Iran.
Military support for Israel.
Immigration enforcement, including an ICE detention and processing facility in Cass County.
Supporting tariffs even at some cost to consumers to 'get America right again'.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Missouri's 4th District since January 2023.
Former anchor at WDAF-TV Fox 4 in Kansas City for 23 years.
Voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.
In January 2026 urged ICE to consider two Cass County sites for a Kansas City-area detention facility; the City of Belton said it was not interested.
Won the August 4, 2026 Republican primary with more than 77% over Heather Shelton and Scott Vincent Vera.
Endorsed by President Trump.
Arguments in favor
'Immigration Customs Enforcement has a job to do' — and 'if Kansas City doesn't want it, then we're willing to help out' by offering Cass County sites for a detention facility.
— Mark Alford, to KCTV5
Republican support for him held steady across the district, with more than 82% of the primary vote in Cass County and similar shares in the Kansas City and Jackson County portions.
— KCUR reporting on primary results
Arguments against
His push to site an ICE detention centre in Cass County cut against local wishes: Kansas City said no to a facility, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver opposed the plan, and the City of Belton said it was not interested.
— KCTV5 reporting, including Rep. Emanuel Cleaver
'We're going to flip a red seat blue and get Mark Alford out of the United States Congress.'
— Jordan Herrera, Democratic opponent, reported by KCUR
What we couldn’t verify
No DCCC material naming Alford in 2026 could be found.
Alford's campaign website could not be located.
Whether Alford will debate Herrera had not been reported.
Continued funding for Israel with restrictions, while calling Israel's war in Gaza a genocide.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Air Force veteran.
Former assistant attorney general.
Won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary with about 30% in a seven-candidate field.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
'Every single person underestimated me, my visions, my dream, and my team before we got to this point' — and his campaign intends to flip a red seat blue.
— Jordan Herrera, election night remarks reported by KCUR
Arguments against
He called himself the underdog heading into November, and the 2022 district lines now in use lean Republican by about 23 points rather than the 10 points of the district he won the nomination in.
— Jordan Herrera, to KCUR; KCUR reporting on the Cook Partisan Voter Index
What we couldn’t verify
Whether Herrera lives within the 2022 version of the 4th District was not reported; his switch from the 5th was based on the 2025 map.
No published criticism of Herrera by Alford's campaign or the NRCC could be found.
His campaign website and fundraising totals were not found.
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, which extended this district into Kansas City west of Troost Avenue. 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 Mark Alford, who won his primary with more than 77%; Democrat Jordan Herrera, who won a seven-way primary with about 30%; and Libertarian Thomas Holbrook. KCUR reported that the pre-2025 version of the district — the 2022 lines now in use — was a safe rural seat with a Republican lean of 23 points, compared with 10 points under the 2025 map. Both nominees campaigned in the 2025 version of the district, which included part of Kansas City. Forecasters rate the seat safe Republican.
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.