Candidates begin filing for 2026 primaries

By Brandon Lorenz and Anika Austvold Missouri News Network
JEFFERSON CITY — Candidates gathered in the secretary of state’s office on Tuesday to file for legislative and federal positions to be filled in the 2026 election cycle.
The candidates included both incumbents and newcomers, along with some familiar faces who have made national headlines.
Although Secretary of State Denny Hoskins told reporters he expected a smaller number of candidates this year without a statewide U.S. Senate race, candidates still lined up early, eager to get their names on the ballot.
Those included local incumbents state Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, D-Columbia, and state Rep. Adrian Plank, D-Columbia, who lined up within the first hour of filing.
“I’m excited about the process of going another term,” Steinhoff said. “I feel like I’ve learned so much, and I’m just ready to continue the good work of hopefully representing my neighbors and Missourians in general.”
State Rep. Gregg Bush, D-Columbia, was also early on the scene.
“Columbia and our values, and our Democratic values, are worth fighting for, and that’s why I showed up today,” Bush said.
Democratic candidate Bekki Brewer is challenging state Rep. John Martin, R-Ashland, for his House seat that represents southern Boone County. Martin is the only Boone County representative being challenged.
The first candidate through the door Tuesday was U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, a Kansas City Democrat, running for his 12th term. This time, he is looking to represent the newly redrawn 5th Congressional District that includes the northern part of Boone County.
Last September, a special legislative session was called by Gov. Mike Kehoe to change the congressional districts in hopes of adding one more Republican seat. The move came after President Donald Trump pressured Missouri Republicans to redraw the map.
The redrawn map could give Republicans a 7-1 advantage in the eight congressional districts, as opposed to the previous 6-2 split. The impact was most visible in Cleaver’s Kansas City-based district, which he has held since 2005.
Under the new map, the former 4th District was divided, with its northern portion pushed into the new 5th District. As a result, the 5th District now stretches from southern Kansas City to northern Boone County.
Shortly after Cleaver filed, Lee’s Summit resident Sean Smith filed as a Republican candidate for the 5th District seat. Smith was one of four Republicans who filed to run in the district, along with Brad Patty of Fayette, Brett Hueffmeier of Kansas City and Taylor Burks of Boone County.
“I ran against Cleaver in ‘24,” Smith said. “It’s absolutely time for him to retire, and I think I’m going to be the vessel that does that.”
Also running to represent western Missouri in the 4th Congressional District is Kansas City resident Hartzell Gray.
Gray’s candidacy was also affected by redistricting. He had initially planned to challenge Cleaver in the 5th Congressional District, but the newly drawn constituencies shifted his race to the 4th District.
“The folks in my district have never backed down,” Gray said about the redistricting. “Here we are fighting against suppression. They try to dilute our voice and silence us, and we stand up and we fight back.”
Filing alongside Gray was former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, a St. Louis Democrat, who is hoping to reclaim her seat representing the 1st Congressional District after her loss in 2024 .
“St. Louis is worth it. The people are worth it,” Bush said. “I’m not going anywhere, and a title doesn’t define me. The needs of the people, that’s what does.”
Samantha Jackson contributed to this story.