Missouri general election 2024: Voter guide for St. Louis area

Missouri citizens can amend the state constitution, propose state statutes, and hold veto referendums on enacted laws. These efforts require groups to collect signatures to put the measure on the ballot. The state legislature can also propose statutes or amendments to be put before voters. In 2024, voters are considering three citizen-initiated constitutional amendments, two legislatively referred constitutional amendments and one citizen-initiated state statute.

Amendment 2 - Sports betting

Missouri is one of a dozen states that does not allow some form of sports betting. The initiative sidesteps the Missouri Senate, where bills to allow sports betting have repeatedly stalled. The St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Current and St. Louis City soccer teams support the initiative. Some opponents call the measure deceptive and point out that revenue for schools could be "$0 to $29 million annually." Other opponents say the measure is too restrictive.

Ballot question:

Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

• Allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to regulate licensed sports wagering including online sports betting, gambling boats, professional sports betting districts and mobile licenses to sports betting operators;
• Restrict sports betting to individuals physically located in the state and over the age of 21;
• Allow license fees prescribed by the Commission and a 10% wagering tax on revenues received to be appropriated for education after expenses incurred by the Commission and required funding of the Compulsive Gambling Prevention Fund; and allow for the general assembly to enact laws consistent with this amendment?
• State governmental entities estimate onetime costs of $660,000, ongoing annual costs of at least $5.2 million, and initial license fee revenue of $11.75 million. Because the proposal allows for deductions against sports gaming revenues, they estimate unknown tax revenue ranging from $0 to $28.9 million annually. Local governments estimate unknown revenue.

Summary:

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to permit licensed sports wagering regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission and restrict sports betting to individuals physically located in the state and over the age of 21. The amendment includes a 10% wagering tax on revenues received to be appropriated for educational institutions in Missouri.

A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding licensed regulated sports wagering.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

Amendment 3 - Abortion access

This amendment had a rocky path to get on the ballot, coming down to a 4-3 vote in the Missouri Supreme Court. The measure needs to be approved by a simple majority. It would legalize abortion access in Missouri until the point of fetal viability. Abortions were banned in Missouri when the landmark Roe v. Wade case was overturned in 2022. Supporters include the Democratic Party, the League of Women Voters of Missouri, and some religious groups. Opponents include many conservative candidates and officeholders, the Missouri Catholic Conference, and groups like the Thomas More Society.

Ballot question:

Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

• Establish a right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, with any governmental interference of that right presumed invalid;
• Remove Missouri’s ban on abortion;
• Allow regulation of reproductive health care to improve or maintain the health of the patient;
• Require the government not to discriminate, in government programs, funding, and other activities, against persons providing or obtaining reproductive health care; and allow abortion to be restricted or banned after Fetal Viability except to protect the life or health of the woman?
• State governmental entities estimate no costs or savings, but unknown impact. Local governmental entities estimate costs of at least $51,000 annually in reduced tax revenues. Opponents estimate a potentially significant loss to state revenue.

Summary:

A “yes” vote establishes a constitutional right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives, with any governmental interference of that right presumed invalid; removes Missouri's ban on abortion; allows regulation of reproductive health care to improve or maintain the health of the patient; requires the government not to discriminate, in government programs, funding, and other activities, against persons providing or obtaining reproductive health care; and allows abortion to be restricted or banned after Fetal Viability except to protect the life or health of the woman.

A “no” vote will continue the statutory prohibition of abortion in Missouri.

If passed, this measure may reduce local taxes while the impact to state taxes is unknown. 

Amendment 5 - Gambling boat license

At issue is a casino near the town of Lake Ozark. The Osage River Gaming and Convention Committee is partnering with Bally's Entertainment on the proposal. Missourinet reports that the Osage Nation, a tribe based in Oklahoma, opposes the amendment because it also seeks to build a casino in the area. This is a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment. 

Ballot question:

Do you want to amend the Missouri Constitution to:

• Allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue one additional gambling boat license to operate on the portion of the Osage River from the Missouri River to the Bagnell Dam;
• Require the prescribed location shall include artificial spaces that contain water and are within 500 feet of the 100-year base flood elevation as established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and require all state revenues derived from the issuance of the gambling boat license shall be appropriated to early-childhood literacy programs in public institutions of elementary education?
• State governmental entities estimate one-time costs of $763,000, ongoing costs of $2.2 million annually, initial fee revenue of $271,000, ongoing admission and other fee revenue of $2.1 million annually, and annual gaming tax revenue of $14.3 million. Local governments estimate unknown revenue. 

Summary:

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow the Missouri Gaming Commission to issue an additional gambling boat license to operate an excursion gambling boat on the Osage River, between the Missouri River and the Bagnell Dam. All state revenue derived from the issuance of the gambling boat license shall be appropriated to early-childhood literacy programs in public institutions of elementary education.

A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding gambling boat licensure.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

Amendment 6 - Sheriff pensions

Sponsored by Missouri State Sen. Rusty Black (R-Chillicothe), this amendment would support a pension for sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys and circuit attorneys by reinstating a $3 court free. Opponents say this ties the pension plan to the volume of arrests and prosecutions. This is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.

Ballot question: 

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to preserve funding of law enforcement personnel for the administration of justice?

State and local governmental entities estimate an unknown fiscal impact. 

Summary:

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to levy costs and fees to support salaries and benefits for current and former sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys, and circuit attorneys to ensure all Missourians have access to the courts of justice.

A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to levy costs and fees related to current or former sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys and circuit attorneys.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

Amendment 7 - Prohibit ranked-choice voting

Ranked choice voting asks voters to rank candidates in the order of preference. This ban would not apply to any nonpartisan municipal election that is already in place, such as in St. Louis. Supporters have focused on the change in language that they say prevents non-citizens from voting. Opponents say it makes voting more difficult and removes local control. This is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.

Ballot question:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

• Make the Constitution consistent with state law by only allowing citizens of the United States to vote;
• Prohibit the ranking of candidates by limiting voters to a single vote per candidate or issue; 
• and require the plurality winner of a political party primary to be the single candidate at a general election?
• State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.

Summary:

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to specify that only United States citizens are entitled to vote, voters shall only have a single vote for each candidate or issue, restrict any type of ranking of candidates for a particular office and require the person receiving the greatest number of votes at the primary election as a party candidate for an office shall be the only candidate for that party at the general election, and require the person receiving the greatest number of votes for each office at the general election shall be declared the winner. This provision does not apply to any nonpartisan municipal election held in a city that had an ordinance in effect as of Nov. 5, 2024, that requires a preliminary election at which more than one candidate advances to a subsequent election.

A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to make any changes to how voters vote in primary and general elections.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

Prop A - Increase minimum wage

Missouri minimum wage is $12.30 per hour and $6.15 for tipped employees. The average minimum wage in the U.S. is $10.69. Supporters say the increase will help families and low earners. Opponents say the increase will drive up prices. This is a citizen-initiated state statute.

Ballot question:

Do you want to amend Missouri law to:

• Increase minimum wage January 1, 2025 to $13.75 per hour, increasing $1.25 per hour each year until 2026, when the minimum wage would be $15.00 per hour;
• Adjust minimum wage based on changes in the Consumer Price Index each January beginning in 2027;
• Require all employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked;
• Allow the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to provide oversight and enforcement; and exempt governmental entities, political subdivisions, school districts and education institutions?
• State governmental entities estimate one-time costs ranging from $0 to $53,000, and ongoing costs ranging from $0 to at least $256,000 per year by 2027. 
• State and local government tax revenue could change by an unknown annual amount depending on business decisions.

Summary:

A “yes” vote will amend Missouri statutes to increase the state minimum wage beginning Jan. 1, 2025, to $13.75 per hour and increase the hourly rate $1.25, to $15.00 per hour beginning January 2026. Annually the minimum wage will be adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index. The law will require employers with fifteen or more employees to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked. The amendment will exempt governmental entities, political subdivisions, school districts and education institutions from the minimum wage increase.

A “no” vote will not amend Missouri law to make changes to the state minimum wage law.

If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes.

The race for U.S. president is hotly contested across the country, but Missouri has reliably selected a Republican since 2000. Trump won Missouri in 2016 and 2020 by 56.8%. Four candidates appear on the ballot.

Kamala Harris

Age: 59
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: Vice president of the United States
Party: Democrat
Biography and campaign: Harris is campaigning for president with running mate Tim Walz. Harris is from Oakland and earned degrees from Howard University and the University of California's Hastings College of Law. She served as the district attorney in San Francisco and attorney general of California before being elected to the U.S. Senate. President Joe Biden selected her as running mate and she became the first woman, the first African American and the first Asian American to hold the office. President Joe Biden ended his bid for president on the Democratic ticket in July, and Harris quickly gained enough support as the nominee. The Missouri Democratic State Committee endorsed Harris, calling her "exactly the candidate we need at exactly the moment we need her."
Campaign: kamalaharris.com

Chase Oliver

Age: 39
Occupation: Account executive
Political experience: Candidate for U.S. House, U.S. Senate in Georgia
Party: Libertarian
Biography and campaign: Oliver is campaigning for president on the Libertarian ticket with running mate Mike ter Maat. He was born in Nashville and raised in Georgia. He worked in the restaurant industry for 13 years and then as an import shipping account executive. He ran in the contentious U.S. Senate race in 2022 against Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker. He wants to stop "government overspending" and stop inflation. Oliver condemned the execution of Marcellus Williams, calling the case "deeply flawed."
Campaign: votechaseoliver.com

Jill Stein

Age: 74
Occupation: Doctor
Political experience: Candidate for U.S. president 2012, 2016
Party: Green
Biography and campaign: Stein is running on the Green Party ticket with Butch Ware. Stein is from Chicago and lives in Massachusetts. She has degrees from Harvard College and Harvard Medical School. This is her third campaign for U.S. President. She campaigns on a climate platform, saying the environment is a human health issue. She was one of more than 100 people arrested by the Washington University Police Department after a pro-Palestinian protest on campus.
Campaign: jillstein2024.com

Donald Trump

Age: 78
Occupation: Real estate developer
Political experience: U.S. president, 2017-2021
Party: Republican
Biography and campaign: Trump is seeking election for a second term as U.S. president with running mate J.D. Vance. He was born in New York and lives in Florida. He earned a degree from the University of Pennsylvania and built a real estate business before hosting reality TV shows. He was elected president in 2016 and signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that reduced tax rates. He withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement on climate and Iran nuclear deal. He led the country through the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine effort. He was impeached in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress and in 2021 for incitement of insurrection following the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. He faces ongoing criminal investigations and lawsuits. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a bid to halt the sentencing phase in a "hush money" case, but the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the bid. Trump survived two attempted assassinations on the campaign trail.
Campaign: donaldjtrump.com

The seat for one of Missouri’s two U.S. senators is up for election. Sen. Josh Hawley was elected in 2018 and seeks to remain in the Senate. He has traded gabs with challenger Lucas Kunce. The candidates debated in September, and the top issues included Missouri’s abortion ban and hot-button national issues like immigration and funding in Ukraine.

The candidates debated on Sept. 20. See the video here:

Josh Hawley

Age: 44
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: U.S. Senate, 2019-present; Missouri attorney general, 2017-2019
Party: Republican
Biography and campaign: Hawley is native to rural Lafayette County, Missouri. He graduated from Stanford and Yale Law School and moved home to Missouri. He is a husband and a father of three. In Hawley's first term in the Senate, he blocked Biden appointees, worked on building protections from China and Russia, and supported increased COVID-19 stimulus checks. On Jan.  6, 2021, the image of Hawley raising his fist in support of pro-Trump rioters became one of the most memorable photographs of the day. He champions religious liberty, fighting human trafficking and limiting "Big Tech."
Campaign: joshhawley.com

Nathan Kline

Age: 56
Occupation: Executive assistant
Political experience: Candidate for Kansas City-area offices
Party: Green
Biography and campaign: Kline is a lifelong resident of Kansas City. He has 25 years of hospitality management experience and joined the public sector in 2013 in city planning in KC. He says the free market has failed and the "onrushing climate emergency" is the top issue of the country. He would work to raise taxes on the wealthy, establish higher wages and end American involvement in foreign conflicts.
Campaign: missourigreenparty.org/nathan_kline_2024

Lucas Kunce

Age: 41
Occupation: Marine veteran
Political experience: Candidate in Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in 2022
Party: Democrat
Biography and campaign: Kunce is a Marine veteran who was born and raised in Missouri. He attended Yale, then the University of Missouri. After a tour of duty in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan, he worked as an arms control negotiator. He believes in protecting workers, increasing teacher pay and keeping manufacturing, agriculture and production in Missouri. Kunce says reducing reliance on fossil fuels also increases national security by creating energy independence. Kunce wants to codify Roe v. Wade.
Campaign: lucaskunce.com

Jared Young

Age: 38
Occupation: Business owner
Political experience: None
Party: Better Party
Biography and campaign: Jared Young launched the Better Party for candidates who want to run for office outside of the major parties. Young has been a resident of Missouri since 2015 with his wife and six children. He earned degrees from Brigham Young University and Harvard and worked at a law firm before moving to Joplin to run a business. He believes that partisanism and fear are the greatest threats to the country, and national unity can help solve big problems. He supports a 15-week abortion ban with exceptions, securing the border while welcoming more legal immigrants, and defending the Constitution in maintaining a peaceful transition of power, gun rights, and free speech. 
Campaign: votejaredyoung.com

W.C. Young

5 On Your Side contacted W.C. Young and has not heard back. Young has no known campaign or online materials.

Missouri has eight congressional districts and all U.S. Representatives are up for election in 2024. Missouri’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 8th Congressional Districts have voters who live in the 5 On Your Side coverage area.

Missouri’s 1st Congressional District

MO-1 covers all of St. Louis City, north St. Louis County, and cities like Maryland Heights, University City, Ferguson, and Florissant. This district was represented by Bill Clay, then his son, Lacy Clay, for decades. Representative Cori Bush ousted the Clay dynasty and won election in the unrest following the death of George Floyd. A member of the “Squad,” Bush lost the primary to Wesley Bell, St. Louis County Prosecutor who also entered politics after the Ferguson unrest in 2014. This district is the most Democrat-leaning district in Missouri.

Blake Ashby

Age: 60
Occupation: Entrepreneur and consultant
Political experience: Candidate in U.S. Presidential Republican primary, 2004
Party: Better Party
Biography and campaign: Ashby lives in Ferguson with his wife and dogs. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida and graduated from Southwest High School. He worked on Republican political campaigns in Missouri and ran as a protest candidate for president in 2004. He condemns the extremist politics of recent elections and hopes a third-party option can help moderate the two large political parties. He wants to get 2% of the vote so the Better Party can remain on the ballot for future elections. He wants to change the U.S. tax code for employers, supports abortion access, and supports the Second Amendment. 
Campaign: blakeashby.org

Wesley Bell

Age: 49
Occupation: Prosecuting attorney
Political experience: St. Louis County Prosecutor; Ferguson City Council
Party: Democrat
Biography and campaign: Bell was raised in north St. Louis County. He earned degrees from Lindenwood University and the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. Bell was elected to the Ferguson City Council in 2015 following the death of Michael Brown Jr. He was voted in as St. Louis County prosecutor over long-time prosecutor Bob McCulloch. Bell says he has focused on reducing violent crime while reforming the criminal justice system. He wants to protect voting rights, abortion access and gun safety laws.
Campaign: bell4mo.com

Don Fitz

Age: 76
Occupation: Research psychologist, teacher
Political experience: Candidate for Missouri statewide offices
Party: Green
Biography and campaign: Fitz earned a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin in 1974. He worked as a research psychologist at St. Louis State Hospital for 25 years. His home was damaged in the flood on July 26, 2022, so he became the chairperson of the Flood Task Force of University Heights Association. He coordinated several labor and environmental gatherings in the St. Louis area. He wants to stop "endless" U.S. wars, reform wage and tax policies, end "racist" immigration policies and boost education.
Campaign: missourigreenparty.org/don_fitz

Andrew Jones

Age: Not provided
Occupation: Utility executive
Political experience: Candidate for CD-1, 2022; Candidate for St. Louis mayor, 2021
Party: Republican
Biography and campaign: Jones was born and raised in Illinois and has lived in St. Louis for 30 years. He earned degrees from Lincoln University, Webster University and Washington University. He calls himself a proud St. Louis resident for over 30 years. He rose through posts at Ameren and now works at Southwest Electric. Jones supports school choice for parents, paying down the national debt and increasing police funding.
Campaign: andrewjonesforcongress.com

Rochelle Riggins

Age: Not provided
Occupation: Activist
Political experience: None
Party: Libertarian
Biography and campaign: Riggins is from St. Louis and earned degrees from St. Louis Community College and Southern New Hampshire University. She works in community activism, supporting education, health care and environmental sustainability. Her campaign lists 108 issues she wishes to address, from economic revitalization in urban areas to banning food dyes in public schools.
Campaign: rigginsformissouri.org

Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District

MO-2 covers suburbs of St. Louis, including Arnold, Chesterfield, Kirkwood, and Wildwood; all of Franklin County; and parts of St. Louis, St. Charles, and Warren counties. U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner has served this district since 2013.

Brandon Daugherty

Age: 28
Occupation: Real estate agent
Political experience: Vice-chair of St. Charles County Libertarian Party
Party: Libertarian
Biography and campaign: Daugherty is from O'Fallon, Missouri, and grew up in rural Warren County. He earned a degree from St. Charles Community College. He is a leader with the St. Charles County Libertarian Party. He believes in ending American participation in foreign conflicts and nation-building. He would prioritize paying down the national debt and fighting corruption.
Campaign: daugherty4congress.com

Shelby Davis

5 On Your Side contacted Davis and has not heard back. Davis has no known campaign or online materials.

Ray Hartmann

Age: 72
Occupation: Journalist
Political experience: Speechwriter in 1975 
Party: Democrat
Biography and campaign: Hartmann lives in St. Louis and earned a degree from the University of Missouri. Hartmann is a widely known journalist who founded the Riverfront Times and served as a panelist on the show "Donnybrook" for decades. He holds reproductive rights as a top campaign priority, but he also wants to focus on infrastructure, education, "common sense" gun control and banning members of Congress from trading stocks.
Campaign: rayhartmannforcongress.com

Ann Wagner

Age: 62
Occupation: Politician
Political experience: U.S. House of Representatives 2013-present
Party: Republican
Biography and campaign: Wagner is from St. Louis and earned a degree from the University of Missouri. She held management positions at Hallmark Cards and Ralston-Purina before joining the public sector. Wagner was the first woman to serve as the chair of the Missouri Republican Party in 1999 and later served as a U.S. ambassador. In 2013, she became the U.S. representative of Missouri's 2nd Congressional District and has represented the district since. She is against abortion, supports the Second Amendment and supports building a border wall.
Campaign: annwagner.com

Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District

MO-3 covers Columbia, Jefferson City, St. Charles, St. Peters and Wentzville. It also has parts of Jefferson County and Boone County. It has been represented in Congress by U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer since 2013. Luetkemeyer is retiring, opening the race to a new slate of candidates.

William "Bill" Hastings

Age: Not provided
Occupation: Retired professor
Political experience: Candidate for Missouri House of Representatives, 2018
Party: Green
Biography and campaign: Hastings is originally from Chicago and earned degrees from Loyola University and Southern Illinois University. He previously ran for the Missouri House of Representatives in District 46. He blames both major parties for the decay of the American dream. He wants to roll back the "welfare state," lower taxes, and improve health care and transportation. 
Campaign: missourigreenparty.org/bill_hastings

Bethany Mann

Age: 41
Occupation: Technology specialist
Political experience: Candidate for CD-3, 2022
Party: Democrat
Biography and campaign: Mann is from Foristell, Missouri, and lives in St. Peters. She earned degrees from Lincoln Land Community College and the University of Illinois. She wants to increase resources for students and schools from pre-K to secondary education. She also prioritizes improving infrastructure, increasing health care access and providing access to abortion.
Campaign: bethanymannforcongress.com

Bob Onder

Age: 62
Occupation: Physician and attorney
Political experience: Missouri Senate, 2015-2023; Missouri House of Representatives, District 2, 2007-2008
Party: Republican
Biography and campaign: Dr. Onder, Jr., lives in Lake St. Louis and earned degrees from Washington University, Washington University School of Medicine and Saint Louis University School of Law. He served in the Missouri House and Senate and cofounded the Missouri Senate Conservative Caucus. He believes in fighting illegal immigration, opposes abortion and wants to cut taxes.
Campaign: bobondermo.com

Jordan Rowden

Age: 35
Occupation: Self-employed
Political experience: None
Party: Libertarian
Biography and campaign: Rowen is from Missouri and earned a degree from Columbia College. He was disillusioned with the Republican Party. His priority is reducing the national debt and balancing the budget. He wants to reform border security and end American involvement in foreign conflicts.
Campaign: jordanrowdenforcongress.org

Missouri’s 6th Congressional District

MO-6 covers the northern swathe of Missouri. In the 5 On Your Side viewing area, it covers Pike and Lincoln counties. U.S. Rep. Sam Graves has served the district since 2001, making him the longest-tenured representative currently serving from Missouri.

Mike Diel

Age: Not provided
Occupation: Business owner
Political experience: Candidate for U.S. House, 2016
Party: Green
Biography and campaign: Diel is from Macon, Missouri. He is an outdoorsman and owns a business. He retired from a career as a factory worker. He is focused on health care reform and preserving nature.
Campaign: missourigreenparty.org/mike_diel

Sam Graves

Age: 60
Occupation: Farmer, businessman
Political experience: U.S. House of Representatives 2001-present; Missouri legislature, 1993-2001
Party: Republican
Biography and campaign: Graves is from Tarkio, Missouri, and earned a degree from the University of Missouri. He is a sixth-generation family farmer and small business owner. He served in the state legislature before winning a campaign to represent MO-6. Graves is the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He wants to rein in spending and reform programs like EBT to prevent abuse.
Campaign: gravesforcongress.com

Andy Maidment

Age: 43
Occupation: Network security analyst
Political experience: Candidate for U.S. House, 2022
Party: Libertarian
Biography and campaign: Maidment has lived in Missouri for most of his life. He earned a degree from Missouri State University. He served in the Army and Missouri National Guard for 21 years. His top priorities are limiting government, ending income tax, ending American involvement in foreign conflicts and reducing the national debt.
Campaign: maidmentformissouri.com

Pam May

Age: Not provided
Occupation: Retired legal secretary
Political experience: None
Party: Democrat
Biography and campaign: May lives in St. Joseph and earned a degree from Northwest Missouri State University. She believes in making health care affordable, reform at the southern border and fighting climate change.
Campaign: pammay4congress.com

Missouri’s 8th Congressional District

MO-8 covers southeast and south-central Missouri. In the 5 On Your Side viewing area, it covers parts of Jefferson County and Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, Perry, Madison, Iron, Reynolds, Dent and Phelps counties. U.S. Rep. Jason Smith has served the district since 2013. It is the most Republican-leaning district in Missouri.

Jake Dawson

The Missouri Business Alert reports that Dawson is from St. Louis and is running for office because there were no third-party choices. He does not appear to have an active campaign, but he can reach 5 On Your Side at tips@ksdk.com.

Randi McCallian

Age: 38
Occupation: Health and family advocate
Political experience: Candidate for Colorado Senate, 2020
Party: Democrat
Biography and campaign: McCallian is from Maryland and earned degrees from Drake University and the University of South Florida. She works as a health care program director specializing in maternal and children's health. She wants to increase job opportunities, education, health care access, and childcare access for the district. She also wants to reform campaign finance rules and the tax system and protect abortion access.
Campaign: randimccallian.com

Jason Smith

Age: 44
Occupation: Attorney, real estate agent and small business owner
Political experience: U.S. House of Representatives, 2013- present; Missouri House of Representatives, 2005-2013
Party: Republican
Biography and campaign: Smith is from Salem, Missouri, and earned degrees from the University of Missouri and Oklahoma City University. He is a seventh-generation Missourian and fourth-generation owner of the family farm. He rose through the ranks of Missouri politics at a young age and won a special election to join the U.S. House in 2013. He serves on the House Ways & Means Committee. He supports gun rights, wants to reduce the cost of living and has promoted the Trump campaign.
Campaign: electjasonsmith.com

Term-limited Gov. Mike Parson is stepping down, so voters are picking from a new slate of candidates. A heated primary in August saw Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe earn the Republican nomination. Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade secured the Democratic nod for governor.

Mike Kehoe

Age: 62
Occupation: Former car dealership owner
Political experience: Appointed lieutenant governor, 2018; Majority Floor leader; state senator
Party: Republican
Biography and campaign: Kehoe is from the St. Louis area. After being elected to the Missouri Senate, he was appointed lieutenant governor by Mike Parson in 2018. Kehoe brands himself as a business owner, cattle farmer and Missouri success story. His campaign material focuses on protecting business interests and cutting red tape. He wants to increase manufacturing jobs. Kehoe said he would focus on getting "crime under control" and then eliminating Missouri's income tax.
Campaign: mikekehoe.com

Paul Lehmann

Age: 74
Occupation: Retired minister
Political experience: Candidate for Missouri Secretary of State, 2020
Party: Green
Biography and campaign: Lehmann lives in Fayette, Missouri. He earned degrees from Southeast Missouri State University and Eden Theological Seminary before serving as a minister in the churches of the United Church of Christ for 34 years. He believes global warming is the most significant issue in Missouri and threatens the constitutional right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He seeks to transform the agriculture industry to become organic and a source of carbon capture.
Campaign: missourigreenparty.org/paul_lehmann

Crystal Quade

Age: 39
Occupation: Politician
Political experience: Minority leader of the Missouri House of Representatives, staffer for former U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill
Party: Democrat
Biography and campaign: Quade grew up in rural Missouri and lives in Springfield. She earned a degree from Missouri State University. She says was the first one in her family to graduate from high school. She served in the Missouri State House since 2017. She was named minority leader in 2018. She wants to protect women's rights and stop bans on abortion, birth control and IVF. She also wants to stop Chinese and Russian interests from buying up Missouri farmland.
Campaign: crystalquade.com

Bill Slantz

Age: 66
Occupation: Consultant
Political experience: Former state chair of the Libertarian Party of Missouri
Party: Libertarian
Biography and campaign: Slantz is from New York but has lived in St. Charles County for nearly 30 years. He founded the W.G. Slantz Company, a consulting firm for radio and television that specialized in music performance rights. As a Libertarian, he is campaigning for a smaller government, free markets and sweeping changes to existing laws.
Campaign: billslantz.com

Missouri Lieutenant Governor

The lieutenant governor in Missouri serves a four-year term. They assume the governor's responsibilities if the governor dies, is convicted, impeached, or is otherwise disabled. The lieutenant governor is the official advocate for the state's senior citizens. Mike Kehoe, who is running for governor, currently holds this role.

Richard Brown

Age: 61
Occupation: Retired teacher
Political experience: Missouri House of Representatives, District 27, 2017 to present
Party: Democrat
Biography and campaign: Brown was born into a military family before they made their home in Kansas City. He earned degrees from the University of Central Missouri and was a teacher for 23 years before retiring. If elected, Brown would focus on affordable housing, affordable child care and health care access. He served as the Missouri House representative of District 27 for seven years.
Campaign: richardbrown2024.com

Danielle Elliott

Age: Not provided
Occupation: Certified medical coder
Political experience: None
Party: Green
Biography and campaign: Elliott is a sixth-generation Missourian who lives in Crystal City. She is focused on transparency for her constituents and refuses corporate funding. Her priorities include reducing the tax burden for seniors, reevaluating Medicaid qualifications, and protecting groundwater from agricultural runoff.
Campaign: missourigreenparty.org/danielle_elliott

Ken Iverson

Age: 73
Occupation: Former defense analyst and engineer
Political experience: None
Party: Libertarian
Biography and campaign: Iverson is a U.S. Navy veteran and former defense analyst and engineer. He studied at the University of Minnesota, University of North Texas and South Dakota State University. His priorities include ending the state income tax, limiting government regulation and ending American involvement in foreign conflicts. He believes individuals are the "engines of economic and social progress in society."
Campaign: lpmo.org/running-for-office

Dave Wasinger

Age: 60
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: Candidate in primary for Missouri auditor, 2018
Party: Republican
Biography and campaign: Wasinger is from Hannibal, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Vanderbilt University School of Law. He practiced law, specializing in business law, at his firm in Brentwood. Wasinger represented whistleblowers and won cases against Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase & Co. following the 2009 financial crisis. Wasinger gained former President Trump's endorsement in the primary. He wants to dismantle the establishment in the Missouri government, secure the borders, and create safety for seniors and jobs for veterans.
Campaign: davidwasinger.com

Missouri Attorney General

The attorney general is the lawyer for the state. The AG protects the interests of the state and the citizens of Missouri. The AG is elected to a four-year term and does not have term limits. Andrew Bailey was appointed to the position in 2022 and sworn in in January 2023 after his predecessor, Eric Schmitt, was elected to the U.S. Senate. The office has become a springboard for Missourians seeking federal offices. Josh Hawley was attorney general from 2017 to 2019 before he was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Andrew Bailey

Age: 43
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: Appointed Missouri attorney general in 2022
Party: Republican
Biography and campaign: Bailey was raised in Columbia, Missouri, and Mississippi. He earned a degree from the University of Missouri. He joined the Army and was deployed to Iraq twice. He went on to earn a law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He is a father of four. He calls himself a constitutional conservative. He has taken up lawsuits defending former President Donald Trump. He led the campaign to remove former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner from office and has slow-walked court decisions overturning some high-profile convictions. He fought the abortion rights amendment and supports Missouri's ban.
Campaign: baileymo.com

Elad Gross

Age: 36
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: Former assistant attorney general, candidate for AG in 2020
Party: Democrat
Biography and campaign: Gross is a lifelong Missourian. He attended high school in Clayton. He also attended Duke University and Washington University School of Law. He worked as an assistant attorney general through 2016. As a constitutional, civil rights, and government transparency lawyer, he litigated cases of Sunshine Law violations. As attorney general, he would sue scammers, enforce the Sunshine Law, and pursue misappropriation of taxpayer money. He would focus on crime deterrence and protect workers and students.
Campaign: eladgross.org

Ryan Munro

Age: 48
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: None
Party: Libertarian
Biography and campaign: A native of Florissant, Munro lives in Missouri with his wife and two children. Munro graduated from the University of Kansas and the University of Tulsa College of Law. He has been an attorney for most of his professional career. He says he is running for Attorney General to stop "government overreach," reduce regulation of business and to protect privacy and the Second Amendment.
Campaign: None

Missouri Secretary of State

The Missouri secretary of state oversees elections, business services and records in the state. Jay Ashcroft has served as secretary of state since 2017.

Jerome H. Bauer

Age: Not provided
Occupation: Not provided
Political experience: Candidate for Missouri statewide offices and St. Louis City offices
Party: Green
Biography and campaign: Bauer is a local activist for the Green Party. He has worked in higher education in institutions like Washington University. He has run for office in St. Louis and in Missouri. He supports ranked-choice voting. 5 On Your Side contacted Bauer for additional information and has not heard back as of this writing.
Campaign: None

Carl Herman Freese

Age: Not provided
Occupation: Not provided
Political experience: Candidate for secretary of state, 2020
Party: Libertarian
Biography and campaign: Herman Freese is a Libertarian candidate for Secretary of State. He is from Foristell, Missouri. He highlights his membership in the National Rifle Association and the United Church of Christ. He volunteers with the Living History Company. 5 On Your Side contacted Herman Freese for additional information and has not heard back as of this writing.
Campaign: facebook.com/CHF4Mo.SoS

Denny Hoskins

Age: Not provided
Occupation: CPA
Political experience: Missouri State Senate, 2017 to present; Missouri House of Representatives 2009-2017
Party: Republican
Biography and campaign: Hoskins grew up in mid-Missouri and earned a degree from the University of Central Missouri. He served in the Missouri Army National Guard and works as a certified public accountant. He was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2008 and joined the Missouri Senate in 2017. He supports the ban on all abortions in Missouri. He voted to increase voter identification requirements and supported bills to prevent Chinese companies from buying Missouri farmland. Hoskins has proposed getting rid of voting machines and hand-counting votes.
Campaign: dennyhoskins.com

Barbara Phifer

Age: Not provided
Occupation: Pastor
Political experience: Missouri House of Representatives, District 90, 2021 to present
Party: Democrat
Biography and campaign: Phifer is from Washington D.C. and graduated high school in Columbia, Missouri. She earned a degree from Cornell College and St. Paul School of Theology. She served as a United Methodist pastor for over 40 years. Phifer supports accessible and well-run elections, public libraries and boosting local business.
Campaign: votephifer.wordpress.com

Missouri Treasurer

The state treasurer is Missouri’s chief financial officer. They oversee revenue and the state’s investments. They serve a term of four years and are limited to serving two terms. Vivek Malek has served as treasurer since January 2023.

Reagan Hasse

5 On Your Side contacted Hasse and has not heard back. Hasse has no known campaign or online materials.

John Hartwig

Age: Not provided
Occupation: CPA
Political experience: Candidate for Missouri state auditor
Party: Libertarian
Biography and campaign: Hartwig is a St. Louis native. He graduated from Washington University and went on to start his own certified public accountant practice in St. Charles. He is an Army veteran. He calls himself fiscally conservative and pledges to serve a single term as treasurer. He seeks to bring transparency to the office.
Campaign: johnhartwigcpa.com

Vivek Malek

Age: 47
Occupation: Attorney
Political experience: Appointed Missouri state treasurer in 2022
Party: Republican
Biography and campaign: Malek is from Rohtak, India, and calls his story the "American dream." He came to Missouri in 2001 and earned two advanced degrees at Southeast Missouri State University and University of Illinois College of Law in Urbana-Champaign. He was appointed Missouri State Treasurer in 2022 after the previous treasurer was elected to another post. Malek has maintained Missouri's Triple A bond rating since taking office. He says he will protect taxpayer money from "liberal waste," fraud and abuse.
Campaign: vivekmalek.com

Mark Osmack

Age: 42
Occupation: Government affairs
Political experience: Candidate in MO-2 primary, 2018
Party: Democrat
Biography and campaign: Osmack is a fourth-generation Missourian. He is an Army veteran and was deployed to Afghanistan twice. He's from St. Louis and graduated from Lindbergh High School. He earned degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia and George Washington University. He says he will protect benefits for retirees and farmers.
Campaign: osmackformissouri.com

The Associated Press contributed to this guide.