Who Is Running in Missouri Congressional District 5th in 2026?
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Emanuel Cleaver
(Incumbent)Economy
LowEmanuel Cleaver advocates for an economy that provides good jobs and living wages, stating that corporations and all levels of government should pay decent wages and benefits to employees and contractors, enabling families to support themselves. He emphasizes investments in job creation, education, and policies that assist struggling families. His goal is to rebuild an economy that works for everyone, addressing rising inequality and the lack of well-paying jobs.
Immigration
HighEmanuel Cleaver voted against the Department of Homeland Security funding bill in 2026, citing concerns over civil rights violations, lack of transparency, and the agency's creation of chaos. He also expressed opposition to proposed immigration detention centers in Kansas City, emphasizing the need for accountability and humane treatment. Cleaver supports comprehensive immigration reform to strengthen border security while upholding the tradition of welcoming hardworking immigrants. He advocates for reengineering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ensure reforms are met.
Healthcare
HighU.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver voted in favor of legislation to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits to help lower health care premiums, impacting over 46,000 Missourians in his district. He supported this bipartisan effort, stating his hope that the Senate will pass the legislation to provide relief to working-class families and ensure they can afford quality healthcare. This action aimed to address rising costs after enhanced tax credits lapsed.
Republican Candidate
No Republican candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | Emanuel Cleaver |
|---|---|
| Economy | Emanuel Cleaver advocates for an economy that provides good jobs and living wages, stating that corporations and all levels of government should pay decent wages and benefits to employees and contractors, enabling families to support themselves. He emphasizes investments in job creation, education, and policies that assist struggling families. His goal is to rebuild an economy that works for everyone, addressing rising inequality and the lack of well-paying jobs. Low |
| Immigration | Emanuel Cleaver voted against the Department of Homeland Security funding bill in 2026, citing concerns over civil rights violations, lack of transparency, and the agency's creation of chaos. He also expressed opposition to proposed immigration detention centers in Kansas City, emphasizing the need for accountability and humane treatment. Cleaver supports comprehensive immigration reform to strengthen border security while upholding the tradition of welcoming hardworking immigrants. He advocates for reengineering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ensure reforms are met. High |
| Healthcare | U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver voted in favor of legislation to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits to help lower health care premiums, impacting over 46,000 Missourians in his district. He supported this bipartisan effort, stating his hope that the Senate will pass the legislation to provide relief to working-class families and ensure they can afford quality healthcare. This action aimed to address rising costs after enhanced tax credits lapsed. High |
| Climate & Energy | Emanuel Cleaver supports clean energy and renewable resources. He co-led an amicus brief urging the U.S. District Court to vacate the EPA's termination of the Inflation Reduction Act's Solar for All program. As a member of the House Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition, he advocates policies promoting clean energy technology, domestic manufacturing, renewable energy, and green jobs. The League of Conservation Voters gave him a 96% score in 2024. High |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | Emanuel Cleaver opposes the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, stating it sets the nation back over 50 years and results in women having fewer rights. He believes this decision infringes on bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom, and could jeopardize other rights such as access to contraception and privacy. He is committed to defending these freedoms. High |
| Foreign Policy | Emanuel Cleaver voted against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill in 2026. He expressed concerns that DHS was creating chaos in communities, engaged in inhumane treatment of migrants, and undermined constitutional rights. Cleaver has also co-sponsored H.Res. 996 to impeach the DHS Secretary. He supports comprehensive immigration reform that strengthens border security while upholding the tradition of welcoming hardworking immigrants. High |
| Education | Emanuel Cleaver co-sponsored the Prison Libraries Act, which aims to authorize $60,000,000 over six years for state prisons to expand library resources and services. He states this is to provide incarcerated Americans with increased access to education and skills training to better prepare them for reintegration and reduce recidivism. Additionally, he is committed to protecting and fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and has cosigned a bill to increase its funding to meet federal commitments. High |
| Gun Policy | Representative Emanuel Cleaver supports gun safety reforms. He introduced the No Pay Until Peace Act, legislation designed to withhold lawmaker pay until action is taken to address gun violence and implement necessary reforms. Cleaver argues that if politicians only offer "thoughts and prayers" after mass shootings, their paychecks should reflect the worthlessness of such proclamations, aiming to force action on gun violence. High |
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