Missouri’s 6th Congressional race ramps up following Rep. Sam Graves’ retirement
By: Alison Patton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -- After U.S. Representative Sam Graves (R-Tarkio) dropped out of Missouri's 6th Congressional District race, former podcast host Chris Stigall announced he's running to fill the seat hours after Graves announcement.
The 6th District covers much of the northern portion of the state, including over 30 counties in the new 2025 congressional map.
Early Friday morning, Stigall posted a video to social media announcing his "sudden" candidate filing and that he was leaving his early morning radio show on Salem Radio Network to focus on the race.
"I've decided it's time to join in the fight to fight for what made this country so great 250 years ago. It's time to put up or shut up. President Trump is going to need all the reinforcements he can get in Washington," Stigall said. "That's why I'm going to leave my show."
There is only one other Republican candidate running for the 6th District, Jim Ingram.
Three Democrats have also filed, one being Josh Smead, who also took to social media responding to Graves' retirement.
"Sam Graves has retired officially, he's thrown in the towel. I think that's pretty indicative that they hear us, they see the movement that we're building and at this point we're going to keep our foot on the gas," Smead said.
Democrats Matt Levine, who filed Thursday, and Scot Pondelick are also running for a shot at Congress.
One other Republican is also running for Graves' seat.
As of Monday, Kansas City 1st District Councilman Nathan Willett has filed to run for Congress. He also was running for the Missouri Senate District 34 seat against Sean Pouche, but withdrew from the seat before filing for Congress.
Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd and Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker put out a joint statement Saturday morning announcing their support for Nathan Willett to enter the race.
"Not many things have brought us together over the last few months, but we are coming together to support Nathan Willett for Congress should he decide to file next week," the release, posted to Facebook, says.
Candidate filings close Tuesday at 5 p.m.
