Graves-endorsed Chris Stigall projected to win GOP primary for open Missouri 6th District

Chris Stigall (R), the Missouri House candidate endorsed by outgoing U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), was projected to win the GOP primary for Missouri’s open 6th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ results reported by The Hill on August 4, 2026.

The race drew a crowded field of Republican contenders seeking the nomination for a seat left open after Graves’ departure. The Hill reported that Stigall’s path to the top included support from Graves, whose endorsement positioned Stigall within a line of candidate advocacy from the departing representative.

Among the other Republicans seeking the nomination were Kansas City Council member Nathan Willett and U.S. Army veteran Jim Ingram, both of whom were named in The Hill’s reporting as part of the multi-candidate field Stigall overcame in the primary.

Decision Desk HQ’s projection indicated that Stigall earned the plurality needed to secure the GOP nomination. The outcome means Stigall would advance to the general election as the Republican standard-bearer for the open seat, subject to any remaining certification steps required under state election procedures.

Stigall’s nomination underscores the role of party and incumbent-aligned endorsements in open-seat contests, particularly in districts where the outgoing lawmaker’s credibility and voter familiarity can be used to consolidate support. Graves’ endorsement, according to the reporting, was a central feature of Stigall’s campaign among voters deciding the GOP nominee.

The practical stakes of the nomination are tied to the district’s policy priorities and representation in the U.S. House. With an open-seat election, the general election nomination determines who will occupy a seat that affects federal budget decisions, constituent services, and federal-state alignment on issues that range from enforcement of federal law to implementation of federal programs at the local level.

With the GOP primary concluded, the next step for the winner is preparing for the general election campaign. Depending on certification timelines and any last-minute election processes, the nomination would be confirmed for the general election ballot for Missouri’s 6th Congressional District.