Rick Brattin Wins Republican Nomination for Missouri's 5th District

State Senator Rick Brattin won the Republican nomination for Missouri's 5th Congressional District in the August 4 primary, securing approximately 44% of the vote. A Marine veteran and state lawmaker, Brattin earned endorsements from Donald Trump and Governor Mike Kehoe. He will face 11-term Democratic incumbent Representative Emanuel Cleaver and Libertarian candidate Randy Langkraehr in the general election on November 3.

The race occurs in a district dramatically reshaped by the Missouri General Assembly in 2025. The redistricting process split Kansas City across three districts and expanded the 5th District to include rural areas of Central Missouri, shifting the composition from 62% Democratic to 41% Democratic. The Supreme Court of Missouri upheld these maps despite lawsuits alleging they violated the state constitution.

Brattin has focused his campaign on affordability and illegal immigration. A victory for the Republican candidate could help the GOP maintain its narrow House majority in the upcoming midterm elections. Cleaver, who has represented the district since 2005, remains the Democratic nominee.