Representative in Congress District 8 in Congressional District 8, Missouri

2026 Primary Election

• Jason T. Smith — Incumbent U.S. Representative in MO

  Jason Thomas Smith, born June 16, 1980, is a 7th generation Missourian and a 4th generation owner of his family's farm. Before serving in Congress, he held positions in the Missouri House of Representatives as majority whip and speaker pro tempore. As a Republican, he has represented Missouri's 8th congressional district since 2013 and is seeking re-election in 2026. He chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, becoming its youngest chairman since before the Civil War, and has also chaired the Joint Taxation Committee. Smith champions the rights and values of rural Missourians, prioritizing fiscal responsibility, defending constitutional rights including the Second Amendment, securing strategic supply chains, and limiting federal intervention in the state. He supports policies to boost American manufacturing and provide tax relief for working families.

• Gordon Heslop — Retired Educator in MO

  Gordon Heslop is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Missouri's 8th Congressional District in 2026. A retired educator, he spent two decades on the Accounting faculty at East Texas A&M University, holding multiple advanced degrees and inactive professional certifications. His campaign, "Make America Normal Again," focuses on strengthening the middle class, reducing national debt, and maintaining global leadership. Key policies include abolishing tariffs and a detailed plan to increase homeownership by providing affordable starter homes in his district. He admires Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Winston Churchill. Heslop also sought a Congressional seat in Texas earlier in 2026.

• Chris Reichard — Union electrician in Arnold, MO

  Chris Reichard, a 40-year-old disabled Iraq War veteran and IBEW union electrician from Arnold, MO, is running as a Progressive Democrat for U.S. House, Missouri District 08. He served in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2012. Reichard prioritizes workers' rights, veterans' care, and constitutional protections. He advocates for strengthening unions, protecting VA benefits, ending endless wars, and getting big money out of politics. Reichard aims to address affordability and bring moral courage to Congress, fighting for working families and "We the People" through a grassroots campaign.

• Frank A. Barnitz — Small business owner and farmer in Lake Spring, MO

  Frank Barnitz is a lifelong Missourian, dedicated family farmer, and businessman with deep roots in rural communities. Born in Poplar Bluff and raised on his family's farm in Lake Spring, he understands the challenges facing working families across Missouri's 8th District. He is a former State Senator and State Representative, having served in both the Missouri House and Senate where he championed rural communities, infrastructure, and working families. As a proven public servant with a record of bipartisan problem-solving, he is running for Congress to bring real rural leadership back to the district.

• Rebecca Sharpe Lombard — Candidate for Representative in Congress in MO

  Rebecca Sharpe Lombard is a Libertarian Party candidate campaigning for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to represent Missouri's 8th Congressional District. She is actively participating in the Libertarian Party primary election, which is scheduled for August 4, 2026, as part of the 2026 election cycle. Lombard is running for an open seat, as there is no incumbent in this particular race. Her candidacy places her among those vying for the position in the upcoming Missouri elections.