Statewide Bench: Democrats (October 2026)

As Missouri Democrats look toward the future, a new generation of leaders is working to build the party’s profile and expand its reach. From legislative leaders to former mayors and rising stars, these are the Democrats who could shape the party’s future and emerge as contenders for bigger roles in Missouri politics.

#1 Senator Stephen Webber
Cash on Hand: $443,764.42
Homefront PAC
Cash on Hand: $68,194.71
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $511,959.13

Stephen Webber has emerged as one of the defining faces of a younger, more energized Missouri Democratic Party. A veteran, labor advocate, and experienced legislator, Webber brings a combination of personal story, political relationships, and legislative experience that gives him a long runway to shape the party’s future. Alongside Senator Doug Beck, he has played a prominent role in the Democratic caucus, helping push the party’s priorities through a Republican-controlled legislature.
With deep ties to organized labor and an ability to connect with working-class voters, Webber represents a potential bridge between the party’s traditional base and the next generation of Democratic leadership. His growing profile, paired with more than $511,000 in combined cash on hand between his campaign and Homefront PAC, gives him a platform to remain active in major political fights and potentially look beyond the Senate. As Missouri Democrats search for a path back to statewide relevance and legislative majorities, Webber is a figure who could help define the strategy, message, and leadership behind that effort.

#2 House Minority Leader Ashley Aune
Cash on Hand: $61,571.45
AshPAC
Cash on Hand: Limited Activity
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $61,571.45

House Minority Leader Ashley Aune could be the leader Missouri Democrats have been looking for since Senator McCaskill left office in 2018. Over the past ten years house democrats have had two or three of the things they have needed to start a comeback. 1) a solid fundraising effort 2) quality candidate recruitment 3) an advantageous national political environment and 4) a dynamic leader to carry a message to the electorate. At different times, House Democrats have had two or three of these come together in a single cycle, but Aune could be the leader that puts them all together for the first time this cycle.
She is young, and outstanding communicator, has won a competitive district in what will be four times this year, and will likely gain seats each cycle she has led her caucus, and a proven fundraiser. It’s been some time since the Democrats had a leader who could do it all, probably since McCaskill herself. 

#3 Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas
Cash on Hand: $488,284.42
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $488,284.42

Quinton Lucas has spent his tenure as Kansas City mayor managing major development projects while raising the city’s profile on the national stage. With Kansas City hosting FIFA World Cup matches and now looking to expand its entertainment and development opportunities with a downtown royals stadium, Lucas has been deeply involved in decisions that will shape the region for years to come.
The Royals negotiations, in particular, have put Lucas at the intersection of sports, economic development, and local politics. His push to keep the team in Jackson County and pursue a large-scale stadium and entertainment district has made the outcome a defining issue of his mayoralty.
Lucas could very well run for congress when Congressman Cleaver steps down, but if he chose to, a statewide race would be another alternative for him as well. 

#4 State Senator Maggie Nurrenbern
Cash on Hand: $35,012.74
Northland Forward
Cash on Hand: $102,894.13
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $137,906.87

Maggie Nurrenbern has demonstrated a clear ability to compete, and win, in politically challenging territory, making her one of the Missouri Democratic Party’s more intriguing long-term prospects. Nurrenbern has worked her way from the House to being one of the Senate’s most fastidious members and has been no stranger to leading filibusters during late-night sessions.
You pair this with her talent for leading the charge on the election field by heading up door-knocking groups and election campaigns, and you’ve got one heck of a future leader.
A sticker for details and a member of the appropriations committee, pairing her meticulousness with budget currently undergoing significant changes could easily set her up to be one of the most influential members in the budget process and set herself a stage for future public service. 

#5 State Senator Steve Roberts
Cash on Hand: $104,356.08
STL Democratic Coalition
Cash on Hand: $76,691.08
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $181,047.16

Steven Roberts had an eventful session, taking an active role in several public safety debates following his deployment to the Middle East. Roberts brings a steady, measured presence to the Senate, with a communication style that allows him to engage on complex policy issues without losing sight of the broader picture. Still young in his political career, he has plenty of runway to build on his legislative record and expand his influence within the party.

Roberts’ future could take several directions. A run for Congress could offer a path into federal politics, while his legal background could also make him a potential candidate for Missouri attorney general down the road. Whether he stays in the legislature or pursues a statewide or federal role, Roberts is a name worth watching as the next generation of Missouri Democratic leadership takes shape.

#6 Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck
Cash on Hand: $201,887.96
DougPac
Cash on Hand: $200,416.01
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $402,303.97

At a time when organized labor has become an increasingly contested voting bloc between Democrats and Republicans, Doug Beck has worked to demonstrate that Democrats can still compete for, and retain, labor support even in deep-red Missouri. Beck’s background and close ties to organized labor have helped make him one of the party’s strongest voices on working-class and union issues within the Senate.
If Democrats are unable to knock off Ann Wagner this cycle, Doug Beck could be their next guy for the job, but Beck would also be able to build a statewide coalition if he chose to remain in Jeff city. 

#7 St. Louis Prosecutor Melissa Price Smith
Cash on Hand: $22,408.96
MPS PAC
Cash on Hand: $26,779.71
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $49,186.67

Almost every single poll shows the Democratic party has a problem when it comes to being trusted on the issue of crime and no city has a reputation for crime like St. Louis. Luckily for the democrats, they have one of the most talented prosecutors you could ask for in Melissa Price Smith. Price Smith is a talented and fresh faced candidate who won her primary on being a fairly strong rule of law candidate. Her future could easily see a pathway towards attorney general and republicans could see a hard time trying to tie her to the chaotic past of folks like Kim Gardner. 

#8 St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer
Cash on Hand: $50,343.97
A Brighter Future for St. Louis PAC
Cash on Hand: $25,859.30
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $76,203.27

The Mayor of St. Louis has one of the toughest jobs in politics, and thus far has came through it successfully. She will have some of the highest name ID of anyone in the state, much less the party, and as Mayor will have a huge fundraising network at her disposal. Probably more a question of does she want to pursue a statewide race than whether she would be a top contender if she did so. 

#9  State Representative Jaclyn Zimmermann
Cash on Hand: $41,966.43
A Brighter Future for St. Louis PAC
Cash on Hand: $6,512.00
TOTAL CASH ON HAND: $48,478.43

Zimmerman represents a new generation of House Democrats looking to build the party’s presence in Missouri and establish a broader political future. Winning in what amounts to a swing district has given her a platform to build on, and another two years in Jefferson City would provide valuable time to strengthen relationships, develop her legislative record, and raise her profile beyond her district.

While statewide office may still be several years down the road, Zimmerman is part of a younger Democratic bench that could become increasingly visible as the party looks to expand its reach. Her ability to build on her electoral success and turn her time in the House into a broader political profile will be worth watching in the years ahead. Of course her biggest pitfall would be falling into the all to common trap of the democrats inter caucus bickering and drama which has derailed and distracted several other talented democratic legislators whose careers could have helped the party if the party could only choose success over drama. 

#10 Former Columbia Mayor Brian Treece

This couldn’t be a Statewide Democrats Bench without having Columbia’s most successful mayor. Brian Treece has the talent and connections to come back into the political arena and make a success of it. Moreover, the crime problems Columbia is currently facing make many people long for the days of the Treece administration. Maybe his best argument would be that his wife would be an incredible First Lady. 

Others: There is no shortage of others who could easily step up to bat for the Democrats statewide. Some notable names include Senator Tracy McCreery as well as Reps. Will Jobe, Ken Jamison, and Stephanie Hein.