Chris
Reichard
Democratic challenger Chris Reichard, a union electrician and Army veteran, faces incumbent Jason Smith in Missouri's 8th Congressional District.
- sources
- 13
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 4
Background
Chris Reichard is the 2026 Democratic nominee challenging Republican incumbent Jason Smith in Missouri's 8th Congressional District general election on November 3, 2026. The FEC classifies him as a challenger; he has held no prior elected office. 23
Reichard was born in rural Tennessee, raised in High Ridge, Missouri, and later settled in Arnold, Missouri. He served in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2012, completing three deployments as a member of the Army Signal Corps. After leaving the military, he worked in communications construction, initially at a non-union shop in Houston, Texas, before returning to Missouri. 13
He currently works as a union electrician and communications technician with IBEW Local 1. His training includes the Communications Journeyman Technician program at the JATC (St. Louis Electrical Industry Training Center), Army Signal Corps training, and the Army's Warrior Leader Course. His campaign biography does not report a college degree. 132
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 8, Missouri
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Union electrician and communications technician, IBEW Local 1
- Website
- reichardforrep.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11filingFEC filings show Reichard raised approximately $5,674 with $1,942 cash on hand
A race guide citing FEC filings through July 15 reported Reichard had raised $5,674, spent $3,732, and held $1,942 cash on hand. A separate guide cited approximately $6,000 raised. These figures reflect candidate fundraising only, not outside spending.
Missouri's 8th District Race 2026: Who's Running (MO-8) · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsSoutheast Missourian identifies Reichard as Democratic candidate in MO-8 race
The Southeast Missourian reported that incumbent Republican Jason Smith faces Chris Reichard, a Democrat, and Libertarian Rebecca Sharpe Lombard in Missouri's 8th District. Reichard was described as an Army combat veteran, electrician, and communications technician who has not held elected office.
Legislative races, state measures top Cape Girardeau ... · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsCampaign guide reports Reichard's policy positions on health care, tariffs, and more
A CivicAlign race guide listed Reichard's reported positions, including concern that tariffs and trade disputes have increased family costs, support for affordable rural health care including Medicare-for-All or expanded Medicaid to keep rural hospitals open, and positions on immigration, abortion, federal spending, and veterans' benefits. Entries were verified October 8.
Missouri 8th Congressional District 2026 | CivicAlign · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsReichard listed as general-election candidate for Missouri's November 3 ballot
Voter guides including First Alert 4/KMOV and the Southeast Missourian list Reichard alongside Jason Smith and Rebecca Sharpe Lombard as candidates in the November 3 general election for Missouri's 8th Congressional District.
MISSOURI VOTER GUIDE: November 3 general election - KMOV · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Rachel Speed otherNamed on Reichard's campaign endorsements page; no date, title, or organizational affiliation provided. reichardforrep.com
- Indivisible SEMO organizationListed as endorsing Reichard on Political Revolution's candidate page and Indivisible endorsements page; no specific endorsement date given. pol-rev.com
- Political Revolution organizationPolitical Revolution's candidate page lists Reichard as endorsed; no specific endorsement date given. pol-rev.com
- James Reichard otherNamed on Reichard's campaign endorsements page; no date, title, or organizational affiliation provided. reichardforrep.com
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $5,674
- Spent
- $3,732
- Cash on hand
- $1,942
As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6MO08183(opens in a new tab)
Sources 13
- [1] Indivisible endorsed candidates | Political Revolution(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Missouri 8th Congressional District 2026 | CivicAlign(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] Legislative races, state measures top Cape Girardeau ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [4] MISSOURI VOTER GUIDE: November 3 general election - KMOV(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [5] Missouri's 8th District Race 2026: Who's Running (MO-8)(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [6] Chris Reichard — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [7] Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Sep 10, 2026
- [8] Chris Reichard — 2026 Missouri's 8th Congressional District ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 29, 2026
- [9] Dem Chris Reichard Wins Aug 4th Primary; Moves to ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 7, 2026
- [10] Chris Reichard | BallotReady(opens in a new tab) Aug 4, 2026
- [11] Christopher Reichard | U.S. House, Missouri Congressional District 8 | Political Revolution(opens in a new tab) Aug 4, 2026
- [12] Democratic Candidates for Rep. in MO 8th Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) May 16, 2026
- [13] District 8 Congressional Candidates Offer Alternative to Incumbent Jason Smith(opens in a new tab) Apr 21, 2026