Missouri 5th District

Emanuel Cleaver (D) holds this seat and is running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.

• 

  Emanuel Cleaver

  Democrat · holds this seat today

  F

  Liberty Score F

  On the liberty side in 37 of 114 votes and bills.

  Raised $1,766,864 since January 2025: 59% from PACs and other committees, 41% from people. The filing at FEC.gov

  Every vote behind this grade
• RB

  Rick Brattin

  Republican · Missouri state senator, Marine veteran

  B-

  Liberty Score B-

  81 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Brattin has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Brattin.

  See each one, with its source

Higher on Liberty Score: Rick Brattin. Rick Brattin: B-, 81 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Emanuel Cleaver: F, 27 out of 100 from recorded votes.

Voting in Missouri: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.

Side by side

A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.

Rick Brattin, on the record

I have no votes in Congress to count for Brattin, so the grade above comes from this list: what Brattin has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.

• October 2026 · His campaign siteFree markets

  He says he opposed tax hikes and worked to limit property taxes in the Missouri legislature.

  “With a proven record of opposing tax hikes in the Missouri legislature and fighting for legislation to place real limits on property taxes”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  Opposing tax increases and limiting a named tax is with liberty on free markets.

  Source: Rick Brattin for Congress, issuesDiscuss this
• October 2026 · His campaign siteEqual rights

  He says he will work to defund woke programs across the federal government.

  “In Congress, he'll work to defund woke programs across the federal government and protect hardworking Americans from ideological discrimination.”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  Ending race and gender programs in the federal government is with liberty on equal rights.

  Source: Rick Brattin for Congress, issuesDiscuss this
• March 25, 2025 · StatementConscience

  At a Missouri Senate committee hearing on a bill to require the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, he chaired the hearing and said the nation was given by the God of the Ten Commandments.

  “God and the God of the Ten Commandments is who gave us this amazing nation”

  By the test I use for votes

  FAgainst liberty

  Backing a state law that puts the Ten Commandments in classrooms is against liberty on conscience.

  Source: Jefferson City News Tribune, Senate panel mulls Ten Commandments in classroomsDiscuss this
• October 2026 · His campaign siteBorders

  He says he will back the wall, full ICE funding and deporting criminals who are here illegally.

  “In Congress, he'll back President Trump's efforts to build the wall, fully fund ICE, deport criminal illegal aliens, and end the policies that have encouraged the flood of illegal immigration into our communities.”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  A wall, ICE funding and deportations are with liberty on borders.

  Source: Rick Brattin for Congress, issuesDiscuss this
• October 2026 · His campaign siteBorders

  He says he fought to ban sanctuary cities in the Missouri legislature.

  “fought to ban sanctuary cities.”

  By the test I use for votes

  AWith liberty

  Banning sanctuary cities is with liberty on borders.

  Source: Rick Brattin for Congress, issuesDiscuss this

Also on the ballot

Randy Langkraehr (Libertarian).

Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.