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D Democratic · Incumbent · U.S. House 5, Missouri · Nov 3, 2026

Emanuel
Cleaver, II

Emanuel Cleaver, II is a Democratic U.S. Representative from Missouri's 5th District, first elected in 2004, and a former Kansas City mayor.

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
23
positions
11
endorsements
6
cleaver.house.gov ↗(opens in a new tab) Bluesky(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Randall (Randy) Langkraehr L+ 1 more Compare race →

Background

Emanuel Cleaver, II is a Democratic U.S. Representative serving Missouri's 5th Congressional District, first elected in 2004 and in Congress since January 3, 2005. According to the House's biographical record, he is currently serving his eleventh term. 12

Before entering Congress, Cleaver served on the Kansas City, Missouri City Council from 1979 to 1991 and as mayor of Kansas City from 1991 to 1999. He also served as senior pastor of St. James United Methodist Church from 1973 to 2009 and hosted KCUR radio's Under the Clock from 1999 to 2004. 14

Cleaver earned a B.S. from Prairie View A&M University in 1972 and an M.Div. from St. Paul School of Theology in 1974. A native of Waxahachie, Texas, he and his family reside in Kansas City, Missouri. 12

Cleaver is running for reelection in the November 3, 2026 general election. His campaign website notes legal challenges affecting Missouri's congressional map and uncertainty about the district's boundaries. 1113

At a glance

Party
Democratic · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. House · District 5, Missouri
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Representative for Missouri's 5th Congressional District
Website
cleaver.house.gov(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Sep 30
    news
    Cleaver finds peace after months of Missouri redistricting chaos

    Coverage described Cleaver reaching a degree of resolution following months of uncertainty stemming from Missouri's redistricting battles, with the Supreme Court ultimately restoring the 2022 district map for the November election.

    Cleaver Finds Peace After Months of Missouri Redistricting Chaos · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Sep 29
    news
    Courts rule EPA's elimination of Solar for All program unlawful; Cleaver responds

    Courts ruled that the EPA's elimination of the Solar for All program was unlawful. Rep. Cleaver issued a statement responding to the ruling.

    Press Release: Courts Rule EPA’s Elimination of Solar for All Program Unlawful, Cleaver Says | Stock News · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Sep 29
    news
    Cleaver and Brattin react after Missouri congressional map is settled

    Following the Supreme Court's ruling restoring the 2022 district boundaries, Cleaver and opponent Rick Brattin publicly reacted. Brattin argued that reverting to the prior map after the primary disenfranchised voters; no dated statement from Cleaver on the ruling was included in the coverage.

    Cleaver, Brattin react after Missouri congressional map is settled · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 25
    news
    Supreme Court blocks Missouri's 2025 congressional map, restoring 2022 boundaries for Cleaver's district

    The U.S. Supreme Court blocked Missouri from using its 2025 congressional map for the November election, requiring the state to revert to the 2022 map. This restored Cleaver's Kansas City-based district boundaries. The Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian nominees—Cleaver, Brattin, and Langkraehr—remained on the ballot despite the primary having been held under the 2025 map.

    Supreme Court again blocks Missouri congressional map ... · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 18
    news
    House passes Water Resources Development Act with provisions secured by Rep. Cleaver

    The House passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, which included provisions Cleaver championed: a $45 million authorization for Phase 5 of Kansas City's Brookside Sewer Separation Project, language prohibiting out-of-basin transfers from the Missouri River, and authorization for a Lower Missouri River flood-risk and resiliency study.

    House of Representatives Passes Water Resources Development Act with Multiple Priorities Secured by Rep. Cleaver · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 17
    news
    Cleaver votes for Ratepayer Protection Act on data center costs

    Rep. Emanuel Cleaver voted for the Ratepayer Protection Act, related to data center energy costs.

    Press Release: Emanuel Cleaver Votes for Ratepayer Protection Act on Data Center Costs | Stock News · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 16
    news
    Cleaver, Davids, and Schmidt bill on Quindaro Townsite gets House hearing

    A bill co-sponsored by Emanuel Cleaver, Sharice Davids, and Derek Schmidt concerning the Quindaro Townsite received a House committee hearing.

    Press Release: Emanuel Cleaver, Sharice Davids and Derek Schmidt Bill on Quindaro Townsite Gets House Hearing | Stock News · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Missouri AFL-CIO union
    Listed Cleaver for CD 5 in its 2026 general-election endorsements; no specific announcement date given. moaflcio.org
  • Planned Parenthood Action Fund organization
    Listed Cleaver among its endorsed U.S. House candidates for Missouri; endorsement page updated October 9, 2026, but no specific endorsement date stated. plannedparenthoodaction.org
  • Indivisible Kansas City organization
    Endorsed Cleaver for Missouri's 5th Congressional District; endorsement page updated September 20, 2026, but no specific endorsement date stated. indivisiblekansascity.org
  • Greater Kansas City Building & Construction Trades Council union
    Listed Cleaver for CD 5 among endorsements applicable to the August 4, 2026 primary, as reported by The Labor Beacon on July 31, 2026. thelaborbeacon.com · Jul 31, 2026
  • American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union
    AFGE announced its endorsement of Cleaver for reelection, citing his 100% voting record in 2025 on AFGE-backed issues. afge.org · Jul 20, 2026
  • Teamsters Local 688 union
    Listed Cleaver for U.S. Congress, District 5, in its August 2026 endorsements; page posted June 30, 2026. 688online.org · Jun 30, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$1.34M
Spent
$1.08M
Cash on hand
$1.14M

As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H4MO05234(opens in a new tab)

Sources 23

  1. [1] 2026 Candidate Endorsements — INDIVISIBLE KANSAS CITY(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
  2. [2] 2026 Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorsed Candidates(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  3. [3] Missouri AFL-CIO 2026 General Election Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  4. [4] Cleaver Finds Peace After Months of Missouri Redistricting Chaos(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  5. [5] Cleaver, Brattin react after Missouri congressional map is settled(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
  6. [6] Press Release: Courts Rule EPA’s Elimination of Solar for All Program Unlawful, Cleaver Says | Stock News(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
  7. [7] Supreme Court again blocks Missouri congressional map ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  8. [8] House of Representatives Passes Water Resources Development Act with Multiple Priorities Secured by Rep. Cleaver(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  9. [9] Press Release: Emanuel Cleaver Votes for Ratepayer Protection Act on Data Center Costs | Stock News(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  10. [10] Reps. Cleaver and Wagner Introduce Backlog Justice Act of ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  11. [11] Press Release: Emanuel Cleaver, Sharice Davids and Derek Schmidt Bill on Quindaro Townsite Gets House Hearing | Stock News(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
  12. [12] Education - Congressman Emanuel Cleaver | - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Sep 3, 2026
  13. [13] Who Are Local Unions Endorsing in Tuesday's Election ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 31, 2026
  14. [14] Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Missouri Reps. Bell ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 20, 2026
  15. [15] Congressman Cleaver's Statement on Rep. Massie's Amendment to ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 16, 2026
  16. [16] August 2026 Endorsements | Teamsters Local 688(opens in a new tab) Jun 30, 2026
  17. [17] Health | Congressman Emanuel Cleaver - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Jun 26, 2026
  18. [18] Financial Services Committee's Bipartisan 21st Century ...(opens in a new tab) May 20, 2026
  19. [19] Budget and Appropriations | Congressman Emanuel Cleaver(opens in a new tab) May 23, 2025
  20. [20] Rep. Cleaver Helps Pass Historic Gun Safety Legislation to ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 6, 2022
  21. [21] Civil Rights(opens in a new tab) Apr 28, 2022
  22. [22] Economy and Jobs | Congressman Emanuel Cleaver - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Apr 28, 2022
  23. [23] Congressman Cleaver Votes To Reopen Government and End Trump Shutdown(opens in a new tab) Jan 4, 2019
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