Missouri 6th District
Sam Graves (R) is not running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.DiscussJosh Smead
Democrat · architect, Democratic nominee
D-Liberty Score D-61 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Smead has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Smead.
Raised $145,753 since January 2025: 90% from people, 7% the candidate’s own money, 2% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Chris Stigall
Republican · former talk radio host, Republican nominee
B-Liberty Score B-81 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Stigall has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Stigall.
Raised $1,045,324 since January 2025: 72% from people, 28% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Chris Stigall. Chris Stigall: B-, 81 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Josh Smead: D-, 61 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
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.
Josh Smead, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Smead, so the grade above comes from this list: what Smead has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
He wants to stop the Iran war.
“Stop the illegal Iran war Trump started and Republicans supported”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Ending the war with no bill or policy named is unclear for anyone.
-
His platform lists legal action to return to a free press, free speech and the right to protest.
“Use legal action to return to free press, free speech and the right to protest”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Defending speech against government interference is the with side of the free speech measure.
-
He says the country cannot afford tariff policies that undercut agriculture.
“We can’t afford to undercut our entire agricultural industry with tariff policies, which are very much at random”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is the opposite of the against item, so with.
-
He wants to reverse the Republican tax cuts to the wealthy.
“Reverse the Republicans’ huge tax cuts to the wealthy”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Higher taxes on high earners are against.
-
His platform lists keeping religion out of public schools, and no federal money for private religious schools.
“Keep religion out of public schools”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping religious instruction out of public schools is with liberty on conscience.
-
He wants defense funding targeted to priority needs.
“Keep defense funding targeted to priority needs”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No cut or increase is named, so it is unclear.
-
He wants to eliminate ICE and any use of the military to arrest, detain or deport illegally.
“Eliminate ICE and any use of the military to illegally arrest, detain and/or deport”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Eliminating ICE is against on this measure.
Chris Stigall, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Stigall, so the grade above comes from this list: what Stigall has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Asked about the U.S.-Iran war in a KQ2 interview, he said he supports the effort and described it as removing Iran as a threat and a geopolitical foe.
“So I think we're taking Iran out as both a threat, but also as a geopolitical foe when it comes to our oil supply.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing American military action against the regime in Iran is with liberty on tyranny.
-
He describes COVID-era censorship as government weaponized against the people.
“I just saw a government that felt like it was weaponized against the people: a lot of forced closures of businesses and churches, school surveillance, censorship, forced shots and mandates.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Naming government censorship as something he opposes is with.
-
He says the Trump tariff policy is working and farmers will see it level out.
“this tariff policy is working, and we will see this level out for farmers in the future.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Praising the broad tariffs is against on this measure.
-
He supports making the Trump tax cuts permanent and opposing tax increases.
“I support making President Trump's tax cuts permanent and will fight against any effort to raise taxes on hardworking Americans.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A named tax cut kept in place and opposition to tax increases are with.
-
He says he supports finishing the border wall, ending catch-and-release and deporting dangerous criminal illegal immigrants.
“I support President Trump's efforts to secure the border, finish the wall, end catch-and-release policies, and deport dangerous criminal illegal immigrants.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Border wall, ending catch and release and deportation of those who break the law are listed as with.
Also on the ballot
Andy Maidment (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.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Missouri 6th District
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