Who's In the Race

Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) faces Democrat Jordan Herrera and Libertarian Randy Langkraehr in the Nov. 3 general election in Missouri's 4th Congressional District. ​

Missouri's 2025 congressional map, signed into law on Sept. 28, 2025, took effect for the 2026 elections, redrawing the district's boundaries.

Alford has represented the district since 2023 and previously worked as a television news anchor and small-business owner. He won the Republican primary over Heather Shelton, who received the second-most votes.

Herrera is an Air Force veteran, attorney, and former assistant attorney general. His campaign describes him as having grown up in a working-class Midwestern family. Herrera won the Democratic primary over runner-up Ashleigh Rogers, who received about 14 percent of the vote.

Langkraehr ran unopposed in the Libertarian primary.

What They Stand For

Alford lists agriculture as a priority on his official House website.

  • national security, which he lists as a priority,
  • Second Amendment rights,
  • Small businesses; and
  • Veterans.

Herrera has proposed addressing housing affordability, saying costs are outpacing wages, according to his campaign website. He has also proposed:

  • Making healthcare more affordable and accessible,
  • Lowering everyday costs, citing rising food prices; and
  • schools and infrastructure, which he says are strained and need attention.

The Money Behind the Race

Alford raised about $1.4 million through July 15 and had about $747,000 in the bank, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. Herrera raised about $42,000 through July 15 and had about $19,000 cash on hand, FEC filings show.

Outside spending in the race totaled just $1,075 as of Oct. 13, all of it supporting a Democratic candidate named Hartzell Gray, spent by Rebellion PAC.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Republican" as of Oct. 9, Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Republican" as of Oct. 11, and Inside Elections rated it "Solid Republican" as of Oct. 2. Kalshi traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is Alford, a 96.3 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

Alford carried the district with about 71 percent of the vote in both 2022 and 2024. Republicans held six of Missouri's eight U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024. Donald Trump carried Missouri in the 2024 presidential election with about 58 percent of the vote.

The voter registration deadline was Wednesday, Oct. 7, by 5:00 p.m.; online, in-person, and mail registrations were all due by that date, and same-day registration is not available.

The deadline to request a mail ballot is Wednesday, Oct. 21, by 5:00 p.m.; requests must be received by the local election authority. Early voting is available on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and Monday, Nov. 2. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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