Conservative radio personality Chris Stigall has emerged victorious in Missouri's 6th Congressional District, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ. He defeated Democratic challenger Josh Smead and libertarian candidate Andy Maidment to succeed retiring Republican Rep. Sam Graves.
Stigall, a vocal supporter of President Trump, was the front-runner in the GOP primary and campaigned on a platform of defending Second Amendment rights, expanding rural healthcare, providing tax relief for farmers and small businesses, and opposing taxpayer-funded abortion access, as detailed on his campaign website.
During the campaign, Stigall defended the Trump administration's tariff policy, telling Spectrum News that it is working and that "we will see this level out for farmers in the future." He acknowledged the hardship tariffs impose on farmers but argued they are necessary to correct long-standing trade imbalances. "It is tough, and the thing that I know about farmers is, while they do know and feel these tariffs, are a very real hit, they also know that for decades they have been exploited by other countries that have been selling their goods on the cheap to us," he said. "President Trump is the first president, in a very long time, who came in and said, this isn't right."
Stigall also threw his support behind a proposed Missouri constitutional amendment that would remove the state's existing protections for abortion access. The measure was on Tuesday's ballot after voters had approved it in 2024, though a judge later blocked parts of it. "Protecting life means standing up for unborn children while also making sure mothers facing difficult circumstances know they have support and are not alone," Stigall said, according to The Kansas City Star.
His bid received endorsements from a roster of prominent Republicans, including the outgoing Rep. Graves, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
The race in the 6th District was one of several closely watched contests in Missouri, where redistricting battles have created political turbulence. In a related development, another House race in the state was decided after a GOP-drawn map was blocked, underscoring the ongoing legal and political fights over district lines. Missouri's GOP-led redistricting efforts have sparked controversy, with some arguing that the redistricting gambit backfired into election chaos.
Stigall's victory continues a trend of conservative radio hosts transitioning to political office, bringing their media-savvy platforms to Capitol Hill. His alignment with Trump's trade policies and his stance on social issues are likely to make him a reliable conservative vote in the House.
With Graves' retirement, the 6th District will see new representation for the first time in over two decades. Stigall's win solidifies the Republican hold on the district, which has been a GOP stronghold for years.
