Full Breakdown
Chris Stigall Announces Candidacy for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
3/28/2026, 2:47:19 PM
Chris Stigall's Campaign Launch
Former Kansas City-area radio talk show host Chris Stigall has officially announced his candidacy to replace retiring U.S. Representative Sam Graves (R - 6th District, Missouri). Stigall made the announcement via a Facebook post on Friday, stating his intention to leave his weekday radio show, “Waking up America!” on the Salem Radio Network, to enter the political arena. He emphasized the need for strong support for President Donald Trump in Washington, declaring, “I’m running to earn your vote if you live in Missouri’s 6th Congressional District, my home.”
Stigall filed the necessary campaign paperwork with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office on Friday afternoon, marking the beginning of his official campaign. The deadline for candidates to announce their candidacy for the upcoming mid-term elections is set for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31.
Context of the Election
Sam Graves, who has represented Missouri's 6th District since 2001, announced his decision not to seek re-election, prompting a competitive race for his seat. Stigall's entry into the race adds to the growing list of candidates, including three Democrats from the Kansas City area: Josh Smead, Scot Pondelick, and Matt Levine. Additionally, Kansas City Councilman Nathan Willett is rumored to be interested in the congressional seat, although he has officially filed to run for the Missouri State Senate in the 34th District.
Official Statements & Responses
In a phone interview, Graves expressed his support for Stigall, stating, “I think he would do a wonderful job, but we’ll have to see if he does file or not.” Willett, while focusing on Graves' legacy, remarked, “The people of north Missouri deserve an open and competitive primary to decide who their next Congressman or Congresswoman (is).”
Criticism & Opposition
While Stigall's announcement has garnered attention, some voices have called for the focus to remain on Graves' legacy rather than the emerging candidates. A statement highlighted that “Today should be about Sam Graves’ legacy, not who is lining up to replace him.”
What's Next
As the campaign progresses, Stigall is expected to provide more information about his platform and vision for the district in the coming week. The political landscape in Missouri's 6th District is poised for significant changes as candidates prepare for the upcoming primaries.
