Rep. Graves announces retirement following 26 years in U.S. House

WASHINGTON D.C. — After 26 years, a northwest Missouri native is calling it a career in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Congressman Sam Graves (MO-6) announced on his social media Friday morning that 2026 will be his final year in Congress.

The Tarkio, Mo. native said it was not an easy decision, but "it's the right one."

"I believe in making room for the next generation," Graves wrote on social media. "It's time to pass the torch and allow a new guard of conservative leaders to step forward and chart a path forward for Missourians."

Graves ran for Missouri State Representative in 1992 at the age of 27. He spent eight years in the Missouri House and Senate.

"I was a 27-year-old farmer who just wanted to stand up for a way of life and his community," Graves said on Facebook. "I never could have imagined where that decision would take me."

As of Friday morning, Republican Jim Ingram (Kansas City, Mo.) was running for U.S. Representative seat. Democrats Matt Levine, Scot Pondelick, and Josh Smead have all filed to run for seat.

Graves is still listed on the filing list, but he does have until March 31 at 5 p.m. to remove his name.