Missouri General Election Update

Missouri's November 3 General Election brought significant changes to the state's political landscape, with Democrats making notable gains in both chambers of the General Assembly and capturing a Republican-held congressional seat. While Republicans retained control of the Missouri House and Senate, their reduced majorities will alter legislative dynamics heading into the 2027 session.

The election also featured substantial legislative turnover, with 51 open House seats, several incumbent defeats and two Republican-held Senate districts flipping to Democrats. At the congressional level, Democrat Fred Wellman defeated incumbent Republican Congresswoman Ann Wagner in Missouri's 2nd Congressional District. Voters also considered five statewide ballot measures, approving Amendments 6 and 8 while rejecting Amendments 3 and 7 and Proposition A.

As the elections are now final, the Republicans will still maintain the majority in both legislative chambers. The Missouri Senate now holds a 22-12 Republican majority, while the House now holds a 95-68 Republican majority. The 2026 election changed the Republican majority numbers in the Senate from 24-10 in 2024 to 22-12 in 2027; while in the House from 111-52 in 2024 to 95-68 in 2027. Republicans did not maintain their supermajority needed, which requires 23 votes in the Senate and 108 votes in the House.

Statewide Office

Incumbent State Auditor Republican Scott Fitzpatrick defeated Democrat Quentin Wilson and Libertarian Dustin Coffell in his reelection bid. Fitzpatrick received 51% of the vote in a race that was not expected to be close by capitol observers.

Missouri House of Representatives – Democrats Pick up 16 Seats

All 163 Missouri House seats were on the ballot, including 51 open seats and 112 seats in which incumbents sought reelection. Of the open seats, 32 resulted from term limits, including 25 Republican-held seats and seven Democratic-held seats. The remaining 19 were open due to retirements, members seeking other offices or existing vacancies.

The combination of open-seat turnover and incumbent defeats contributed to significant Democratic gains, particularly in suburban districts around Kansas City and St. Louis, as well as portions of central and southwest Missouri.

Notable Democratic Victories

Democrats won a number of competitive races, including incumbent defeats and open-seat victories.

Kansas City and Surrounding Areas

HD 12 – Tracey Steele (D) defeated Jerry Hickey (R), receiving 58.52% of the vote.

HD 16 – Dan Kinate (D) defeated incumbent Chris Brown (R), receiving 54.40%.

HD 17 – Susan Hoisington (D) defeated incumbent Bill Allen (R), receiving 59.19%.

HD 20 – Jeff Spicer (D) defeated incumbent Mike Steinmeyer (R), receiving 51.40%.

HD 30 – Kevin Grover (D) defeated Jeff Martin (R), receiving 57.31%, in the district previously represented by Jon Patterson.

HD 31 – Justin Geiser (D) defeated Ron Fowler (R), receiving 53.14%.

HD 34 – Kemp Strickler (D) defeated Sean Smith (R), receiving 60.99%.

HD 35 – Michael Scott (D) defeated Jacquie Aziere Stenger (R), receiving 61.89%.

HD 56 – Staci Czar (D) defeated Steve Baker (R), receiving 52.70%.

St. Louis and Surrounding Areas

HD 94 – Cathy Summers (D) defeated Maryellen Murphy (R), receiving 54.10%, in the district previously represented by Jim Murphy.

HD 96 – Matt Vitale (D) defeated incumbent Brad Christ (R), receiving 53.24%.

HD 100 – Mary Ann Perkins (D) defeated incumbent Philip Oehlerking (R), receiving 56.65%.

HD 101 – Paul Lentz (D) defeated incumbent Ben Keathley (R), receiving 51.11%.

HD 104 – Tara Murray (D) defeated Terri Violet (R), receiving 55.14%.

HD 105 – Cat Clayton (D) defeated Colin Wellenkamp (R), receiving 55.57%.

HD 106 – Jewel Kelly (D) defeated Travis Wilson (R), receiving 55.66%.

Central and Southwest Missouri

HD 60 – Suzanne Luther (D) defeated Shane Kampeter (R), receiving 50.76%, in the Jefferson City district previously represented by Dave Griffith.

HD 132 – Jeremy Dean (D) defeated Russ Gosselin (R), receiving 62.38%.

HD 133 – Katelyn Zach (D) defeated Jerry Angelo (R), receiving 61.07%.

HD 135 – Johnny Chiles (D) defeated Michael Hasty (R), receiving 63.60%.

HD 136 – Stephanie Hein (D) defeated Jacey Buckles (R), receiving 60.53%.

These victories reflect Democratic gains across multiple regions of the state. Some represent incumbent defeats, while others occurred in open seats or districts previously represented by Republicans.

Republican Incumbent Defeats

Several Republican incumbents lost their reelection bids, including Chris Brown (HD 16), Bill Allen (HD 17), Mike Steinmeyer (HD 20), Brad Christ (HD 96), Philip Oehlerking (HD 100) and Ben Keathley (HD 101).

Democrats also secured victories in several Republican-held open districts, including seats previously represented by Jon Patterson, Jim Murphy and Dave Griffith.

Notable Republican Victories

Despite Democratic gains, Republicans retained several competitive districts:

HD 59 – Carrie Tergin (R) won with 66.39%.

HD 65 – Wendy Hausman (R) won with 51.23%.

HD 69 – Scott Miller (R) won with 50.20%, a margin of just 67 votes.

HD 88 – Holly Jones (R) won with 51.65%.

HD 95 – Bob Mahacek (R) won with 51.49%.

HD 103 – Dave Hinman (R) won with 51.07%.

HD 107 – Mark Matthiesen (R) won with 50.42%.

HD 110 – Niles Stephens (R) won with 51.13%.

HD 134 – Alex Riley (R) won reelection with 54.64%.

Legislative Implications

The reduced Republican majority will affect the balance of power in the House during the 2027 legislative session. Although Republicans will continue to control chamber leadership and committee assignments, losing their two-thirds supermajority could complicate efforts to advance constitutional amendments, override gubernatorial vetoes or approve other measures requiring elevated voting thresholds.

The influx of new legislators will also bring changes to committee membership, leadership negotiations and legislative priorities.

Missouri Senate – Democrats Pick Up 2 Seats

Seventeen of Missouri’s 34 Senate seats were on the ballot. Democrats captured two previously Republican-held districts, reducing the Republican majority from 24–10 to a projected 22 Republicans and 12 Democrats.

Democratic Senate Flips

SD 8 – Keri Ingle (D) defeated Republican Jon Patterson, receiving 55.24% of the vote. Patterson previously served as Speaker of the Missouri House.

SD 30 – Betsy Fogle (D) defeated Republican Melanie Stinnett and Libertarian Cecil Ince. Fogle received 57.98%, compared with Stinnett’s 38.63%.

Both victories represent significant Democratic pickups and contribute to the loss of the Republican Senate supermajority.

Republican Senate Victories

Republican winners included Nick Schroer (SD 2), Jake Vogel (SD 6), Mike Deering (SD 10), Rusty Black (SD 12), Bill Hardwick (SD 16), Greg Sharpe (SD 18), Lori Rook (SD 20), Jim Avery (SD 22), Ben Brown (SD 26), Sam Alexander (SD 28), Jill Carter (SD 32) and Mike Jones (SD 34).

SD 34 was among the closest Senate races, with Republican Mike Jones defeating Democrat Shereka Barnes by just 559 votes. Jones received 50.42% of the vote, compared with Barnes’ 49.58%.

Other Democratic winners included Gina Mitten (SD 4), Raychel Proudie (SD 14) and Tracy McCreery (SD 24).

Legislative Implications

Republicans retain a substantial Senate majority but fall below the 23 seats required for a two-thirds supermajority. The smaller caucus may affect leadership negotiations, committee dynamics and the advancement of legislation requiring supermajority approval. Democrats will also enter the 2027 session with greater representation in both legislative chambers.

Caucuses Meet This Week

The House and Senate party caucuses are set to return to Jefferson City this week to select their leadership posts for the 2027 legislative session. The caucus meetings are expected to provide new leadership in both chambers as many of the current legislative leaders will be leaving office at the end of the year due to reaching their legislative term-limit. As of the time of this report, we are aware the House Majority Floor Leader Alex Riley (R-Springfield) will be taking the helm as Speaker of the House in January, as the House Republican Caucus named him Speaker-elect at their summer caucus.

Congressional Elections

All eight Missouri congressional districts were on the ballot, with Democrats capturing a Republican-held seat in the St. Louis region.

Congressional District 2 – Fred Wellman (D) defeated incumbent Republican Congresswoman Ann Wagner, receiving 51.14% of the vote compared with Wagner’s 46.21%.

Other congressional winners included:

CD 1 – Wesley Bell (D) – 81.51%

CD 3 – Bob Onder (R) – 56.05%

CD 4 – Mark Alford (R) – 64.11%

CD 5 – Emanuel Cleaver II (D) – 69.49%

CD 6 – Chris Stigall (R) – 58.65%

CD 7 – Eric Burlison (R) – 62.15%

CD 8 – Jason Smith (R) – 67.73%

The results shift Missouri’s congressional delegation from six Republicans and two Democrats to five Republicans and three Democrats.

Statewide Ballot Measures

Missouri voters considered five statewide ballot measures, approving two constitutional amendments and rejecting three proposals.

Amendment 3 – Abortion and Gender Transition Procedures for Minors

Failed – 55.04% No | 44.96% Yes

Amendment 3 sought to repeal or modify constitutional protections related to reproductive freedom and establish additional restrictions concerning abortion and gender transition procedures for minors. Its rejection leaves the reproductive freedom amendment approved by Missouri voters in 2024 in place.

Amendment 6 – Initiative and Referendum Process

Passed – 59.60% Yes | 40.40% No

Amendment 6 addresses Missouri’s initiative and referendum process and establishes changes to the constitutional framework governing citizen-initiated measures. Its approval could affect future ballot initiatives and legislative efforts involving voter-approved measures.

Amendment 7 – Show-Me Prosperity Investment Fund

Failed – 60.16% No | 39.84% Yes

Amendment 7 proposed establishing a state investment fund intended to generate earnings that could support future tax reductions. Voters rejected the proposal, leaving the proposed fund unestablished.

Amendment 8 – County Sheriffs

Passed – 51.48% Yes | 48.52% No

Amendment 8 establishes constitutional provisions concerning the election and terms of county sheriffs. The measure passed by approximately 59,300 votes, making it the closest of the five statewide ballot measures.

Proposition A – Congressional Redistricting Referendum

Failed – 61.49% No | 38.51% Yes

Proposition A asked voters whether to uphold the congressional redistricting plan adopted during the 2025 legislative special session. Voters rejected the plan, preventing the referred legislation from taking effect through voter approval, subject to applicable legal proceedings.

You can find a full list of election results on the Missouri Secretary of State’s website at: www.sos.mo.gov/elections/results

UPCOMING DATES OF INTEREST

November 4, 2026 – House and Senate Caucus Leadership elections

December 1, 2026 – Pre-filing of bills begins for the 2027 Legislative Session

January 6, 2027 – First Day of the 2027 Legislative Session

January 18, 2027 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February 26, 2027 – Last day to file bills

May 14, 2027 – Last day of the 2027 legislative session