Josh
Smead
Josh Smead is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Missouri's 6th Congressional District, an architect and small-business owner from Liberty, MO.
- sources
- 9
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Josh Smead is the Democratic nominee for Missouri's 6th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026, general election, running in an open-seat race after incumbent Rep. Sam Graves announced he would not seek reelection. Smead won the Democratic primary and has not previously held elected office. [Sources: 5, 9]
Smead is a licensed architect and small-business owner based in Liberty, Missouri. He co-owns Liberty Design Development, an architecture, design, and development firm, with his wife. Before joining that business in 2023, he worked on large-scale sports and commercial projects, including NFL stadiums and professional sports facilities. [Sources: 14, 17, 3]
Smead earned a bachelor's degree in art history from James Madison University in 2012 and a Master of Architecture from Iowa State University in 2016. Originally from Harrisonburg, Virginia, he has lived in Missouri since 2017. [Sources: 17, 3]
Smead's campaign themes center on family, freedom, and the future, as stated on his campaign website. He is the Democratic Party's endorsed candidate for the seat in Missouri's 6th District. [Sources: 7, 10]
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 6, Missouri
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Co-owner, Liberty Design Development (architect and small-business owner)
- Website
- votesmead.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11pollFutureBallot forecast model gives Stigall greater than 99% chance of winning MO-06
FutureBallot's October 11 forecast model gave Republican Chris Stigall a greater than 99% chance of winning over Smead. No public district poll was identified; this figure reflects a model, not a poll.
MO-6 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsKCUR outlines Smead's policy priorities: oppose SAVE Act, tariffs, Iran war, protect Medicaid
KCUR reported Smead's stated goals include preventing the SAVE Act from passing, stopping Trump's tariffs and Iran war, retaining Medicaid, and holding powerful Republican political appointees accountable.
Missouri's 6th Congressional District: What to know about the ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsKCUR voter guide reports Smead raised ~$72,000 vs. Stigall's ~$600,000
KCUR's candidate guide reported Smead had raised about $72,000 compared to Republican Chris Stigall's roughly $600,000, highlighting a significant fundraising gap.
Missouri's 6th Congressional District: What to know about the ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24newsSmead's campaign platform calls for stopping what it describes as Trump's 'illegal Iran war'
A summary of Smead's campaign platform, accessed September 24, states it calls for stopping what the campaign characterizes as the 'illegal Iran war Trump started.' The description is the campaign's characterization, not an independent legal finding.
Platform calls for stopping the illegal Iran war Trump started · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24newsSmead says he is a 'firm no' on Missouri Amendment 3, supports abortion access as health care
The Kansas City Star reported that Smead supports abortion rights but opposes Missouri Amendment 3, quoting him saying abortion should be treated as health care.
Fact check: Where Missouri's 6th Congressional District candidates stand on abortion? · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 13newsMissouri redistricting map finalized after legal chaos; MO-06 candidates confirmed
After map-related legal challenges, the original congressional district map was back in play, confirming the district boundaries for the November election.
After map chaos, here are the districts Missouri voters will cast ballots in · Sep 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 4filingJosh Smead wins Democratic primary for Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Smead won the Democratic nomination with 47.7% of the vote, ahead of Matt Levine (30.2%) and Scot Pondelick (22.1%).
MO-6 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Indivisible Kansas City organizationListed on Indivisible Kansas City's 2026 Candidate Endorsements page under Missouri's 6th Congressional District. No individual endorsement date given. indivisiblekansascity.org
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $72K
- Spent
- $55K
- Cash on hand
- $17K
As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6MO06260(opens in a new tab)
Sources 9
- [1] 2026 Candidate Endorsements — INDIVISIBLE KANSAS CITY(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] MO-6 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [3] Missouri's 6th Congressional District: What to know about the ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [4] Fact check: Where Missouri's 6th Congressional District candidates stand on abortion?(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [5] Platform calls for stopping the illegal Iran war Trump started(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [6] After map chaos, here are the districts Missouri voters will cast ballots in(opens in a new tab) Sep 13, 2026
- [7] Josh Smead | BallotReady(opens in a new tab) Aug 4, 2026
- [8] Smead Emphasizes Rural Outreach, Healthcare Access in 6th District Interview - My Cameron News(opens in a new tab) May 5, 2026
- [9] Why I'm Running - Vote Josh Smead(opens in a new tab) Mar 20, 2025