Who's running in Missouri's 5th 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 · Emanuel Cleaver, II currently holds this seat
Low confidenceLow confidenceOnly one weak source, dated material, or indirect evidence. Treat specifics with caution.What would raise it: An official filing record and at least one independent report about this candidate would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Supporting President Trump's agenda, including on immigration and abortion.
Defending the Second Amendment, including his support for Missouri's Second Amendment Preservation Act.
Restoring the 2025 congressional map for the November election.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Missouri state senator, 31st District, since 2021; Missouri House of Representatives, 2010–2018; former Cass County auditor.
Marine veteran.
Supported Missouri's 2021 Second Amendment Preservation Act, which barred local police from enforcing federal gun laws and was struck down by a federal judge in 2023.
Won the August 4, 2026 Republican primary with about 44% over Taylor Burks, Brad Patty, Brett Hueffmeier and Micah Beebe.
Endorsed by President Trump and backed by Gov. Mike Kehoe.
Lives just outside the 2025 version of the district, which he represents in part in the state Senate.
Is a plaintiff, with Rep. Bob Onder and two voters, in the federal suit seeking to keep the 2025 map in place.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No attributable argument for or against Brattin in the general election could be found; published statements focus on the map litigation rather than on the two candidates.
His campaign website could not be read, and his positions beyond those reported by KCUR and CBS News were not found.
How he will campaign in the 2022 district, which he has called 'practically unwinnable', had not been reported.
The Eighth Circuit's ruling could return the contest to the 2025 map.
Fair representation and opposition to mid-decade gerrymandering of Kansas City.
Restoring lapsed Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.
Accountability and training standards in immigration enforcement.
Housing and promoting Kansas City's growth.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Missouri's 5th District since January 2005; former mayor of Kansas City.
Won his last two general elections under the 2022 map with more than 60%.
Supported legislation to restore expired ACA premium tax credits.
Won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary unopposed.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No attributable criticism of Cleaver by Brattin, the NRCC or Missouri Republicans in the 2026 campaign could be found; Republican statements found were about the map rather than Cleaver's record. To keep the contest balanced, no arguments are listed for either major candidate.
Whether Cleaver and Brattin will debate had not been reported.
The Eighth Circuit's ruling could return the contest to the 2025 map, which made the district far more Republican.
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.
This district was the target of Missouri's 2025 mid-decade redistricting, which split Kansas City among three districts to unseat Rep. Emanuel Cleaver. Primaries on August 4, 2026 were held under that map. On September 3 the Missouri Supreme Court suspended the 2025 map pending the November Proposition A referendum and ordered the general election held on the 2022 map with the nominees already chosen. A federal judge briefly ordered the 2025 map used, but the US Supreme Court stayed that 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 the lines could still change. Three candidates are certified, in the Secretary of State's August 25, 2026 order: Republican state Sen. Rick Brattin, who won a six-way primary with about 44% after a last-minute Trump endorsement; Democratic incumbent Emanuel Cleaver II, unopposed in his primary; and Libertarian Randall (Randy) Langkraehr. Under the 2022 map the district largely places Kansas City in one district; Cleaver won his last two elections there with more than 60%. Brattin has called the district in its current form 'practically unwinnable' and has sued to restore the 2025 map.
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.