Who's running in Missouri's 6th 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.
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 as 'best-suited for the way forward for the country'.
Winning a seat on the House Agriculture Committee to represent north Missouri farmers.
Trump's agriculture policies, including loosening environmental restrictions.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Host of 'The Chris Stigall Show', a conservative radio show and podcast, for about 25 years.
In 2016 called Trump a 'political hazard' on air; has since hosted Trump several times, and Trump has called him a 'great friend'.
Won the August 4, 2026 Republican primary with 44.1% over Nathan Willett, Jim Ingram, Nathanael Schultz and Cody Oshel.
Endorsed by Rep. Sam Graves.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
The race comes down to 'who knows the issues well, and who the most solid trustworthy conservative' is — and for 25 years he has talked about the issues that matter to north Missouri, which desperately needs a voice on the House Agriculture Committee.
— Chris Stigall, to KHQA
'Chris is ready to work for the people of the sixth district. I'm proud to support him.'
— Rep. Sam Graves, retiring incumbent, reported by KHQA
Arguments against
His record on Trump is inconsistent: in 2016 he said of Trump, 'I hate what comes out of his mouth… It embarrasses me that he's the front-runner.'
— KCUR reporting on Stigall's 2016 radio remarks
His endorsement from Graves should be seen as anti-Trump, given Graves's hiring of a political consultant regarded as one of Trump's enemies.
— Nathan Willett, Republican primary opponent, reported by KCUR
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Stigall by Josh Smead or the DCCC could be found.
His positions beyond agriculture and support for Trump were not detailed in the coverage found.
Whether Stigall will debate Smead had not been reported.
Relief for Missouri farmers hurt by tariffs and the war in Iran.
Helping Democrats retake the US House.
Reining in presidential power.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Architect from Liberty, Missouri.
Won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary with 47.7% over Matt Levine and Scot Pondelick.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
'I want to be the change, and I want to see what I can do to make my mark and try and… make any sort of difference in what we're seeing in the world' — starting with the burden tariffs and war have placed on farmers.
— Josh Smead, election night remarks reported by KCUR
Arguments against
He faces 'headwinds' in a district still considered a safe Republican seat, where farmers are a reliably conservative group.
— KCUR reporting
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Smead by name could be found — not from Stigall's campaign, the NRCC, or north Missouri coverage.
His detailed policy positions, campaign website and fundraising were not found.
His home in Liberty is in the Kansas City area; whether it lies within the 2022 version of the district was not 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.
This is an open seat: Republican Rep. Sam Graves announced in March 2026 that he would not seek a 14th term. Missouri held its primaries on August 4, 2026 under the 2025 congressional map, which added parts of north Kansas City to this district. 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. Three candidates are certified, in the Secretary of State's August 25, 2026 order: Republican Chris Stigall, who won a five-way primary with 44.1% over Kansas City Council member Nathan Willett (34.3%); Democrat Josh Smead, who won with 47.7%; and Libertarian Andy Maidment. The north Missouri district has more than 27,000 farms. KCUR reports the 2022 version is more Republican-leaning than the 2025 version, and it is considered a safe Republican seat.
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.