--- title: "Cleaver vs. Brattin: 2026 Missouri’s 5th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-mo-05" updated: "2026-08-05" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Missouri’s 5th District race: Emanuel Cleaver (D) vs. Rick Brattin (R) Rating: Likely · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 5, 2026 The 2026 general election for Missouri's 5th Congressional District features long-time Democratic incumbent Emanuel Cleaver facing Republican nominee Rick Brattin, a state senator and Marine veteran. The race hinges on the district's newly redrawn boundaries following state legislative redistricting efforts, contrasting Cleaver's decade-spanning record of securing federal funding and bipartisan housing reform against Brattin's conservative platform focused on border enforcement, tax cuts, and opposition to woke programs. ## Candidates - **Emanuel Cleaver** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Emanuel_Cleaver) - **Rick Brattin** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://rickbrattin.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Rick_Brattin) ## Issues ### Economy and Cost of Living Salience: high Cleaver promotes targeted federal economic investments and small business support, while Brattin advocates for cutting taxes, slashing regulations, and reducing federal spending. **Emanuel Cleaver:** Supports targeted investments and small businesses Cleaver focuses on job creation, supporting small businesses as economic engines, and lowering prescription drug costs to ease household budgets. He has secured community project funds to foster local economic development in Missouri's 5th District. - Delivered $850,000 in federal funding for Grandview Station to support local vendors and small businesses. - Advocates for lowering prescription drug costs and extending ACA tax credits to protect family finances. > “Remaining focused on job creation, supporting small businesses, and making investments in our future economy are core values of Congressman Cleaver’s work in Congress.” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) **Rick Brattin:** Opposes tax hikes and federal spending Brattin supports President Trump's economic agenda, advocating for tax cuts, deregulation, and boosting domestic energy production to combat inflation. In the Missouri legislature, he fought property tax increases and opposed government tax hikes. - Supports cutting taxes, slashing federal regulations, and unleashing domestic energy production. - Record of opposing tax hikes in Missouri and supporting legislative limits on local property taxes. > “With a proven record of opposing tax hikes in the Missouri legislature and fighting for legislation to place real limits on property taxes, he’ll fight in Congress against reckless spending that drives up our national debt and fuels inflation, working to put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Missourians.” > — Rick Brattin, via [Campaign site](https://rickbrattin.com/) ### Immigration and Border Security Salience: high Cleaver focuses on oversight of DHS and opposes strict detention mandates, whereas Brattin advocates for building a border wall, fully funding ICE, and deporting undocumented immigrants. **Emanuel Cleaver:** Supports accountability and balanced oversight Cleaver advocates for oversight and accountability regarding federal immigration enforcement agencies while raising concerns about expanding large detention facilities. He voted against conservative border enforcement measures like the Laken Riley Act and DUI deportation legislation. - Expressed concerns over proposed large DHS detention facilities in Kansas City regarding transparency and community impact. - Voted Nay on the Laken Riley Act and the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025. > “In a recent interview, Congressman Cleaver told local media that the Department of Homeland Security’s plan to expand large detention facilities — including one in Kansas City — raises serious questions about community impact and transparency” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) **Rick Brattin:** Supports strict border enforcement and deportation Brattin aligns with President Trump's border agenda, calling for full funding for ICE, constructing a border wall, and deporting criminal illegal immigrants. In the state legislature, he sponsored penalties for businesses hiring undocumented workers and worked to ban sanctuary cities. - Backs building the border wall, fully funding ICE, and deporting criminal illegal immigrants. - Sponsored Missouri legislation to penalize employers hiring undocumented workers and ban sanctuary cities. > “In Congress, he’ll back President Trump’s efforts to build the wall, fully fund ICE, deport criminal illegal aliens, and end the policies that have encouraged the flood of illegal immigration into our communities.” > — Rick Brattin, via [Campaign site](https://rickbrattin.com/) ### Abortion and Reproductive Health Salience: high Cleaver supports federal protection for abortion rights and healthcare choice, whereas Brattin opposes abortion access and pledges to defund Planned Parenthood. **Emanuel Cleaver:** Supports legal abortion and reproductive rights Cleaver opposes the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and believes reproductive decisions should remain between women and their healthcare providers. He has earned endorsements from major reproductive rights advocacy groups. - Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund. - Opposes federal abortion bans and supports healthcare autonomy for women. > “Congressman Cleaver disagrees with the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and believes that decision undermines women’s right to make their own health care decisions.” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) **Rick Brattin:** Opposes abortion and Planned Parenthood Brattin holds a 100% pro-life record and vows to defund Planned Parenthood at the federal level. In Missouri, he voted to extend abortion waiting periods from 24 to 72 hours and supported parental notification rules. - Endorsed by Missouri Right to Life PAC in every legislative election. - Voted to extend state abortion waiting periods to 72 hours and require parental notification for minors. - Committed to defunding Planned Parenthood in Congress. > “In Congress, he’ll fight hard to defund Planned Parenthood and protect our most vulnerable citizens, the unborn.” > — Rick Brattin, via [Campaign site](https://rickbrattin.com/) ### Gun Policy and Second Amendment Salience: medium Cleaver advocates for bipartisan gun safety legislation alongside funding for police, whereas Brattin opposes gun control restrictions and defends strict Second Amendment protections. **Emanuel Cleaver:** Supports common-sense gun safety laws Cleaver advocates for bipartisan gun safety legislation that protects communities while respecting responsible gun ownership. He also supports providing adequate funding and training for local police departments to combat violent crime. - Supports common-sense gun safety laws and expanded resources for community safety. - Secured federal funding for public safety and upgrades for the Kansas City Police Department. > “Congressman Cleaver supports bipartisan, common-sense gun safety legislation, keeping our children and neighborhoods safe while respecting the responsible ownership of guns.” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) **Rick Brattin:** Opposes restrictions on gun ownership Brattin is an active NRA member with a record of expanding firearm rights in Missouri. He helped craft state constitutional protections for gun rights, backed the Second Amendment Preservation Act, and filed bills protecting firearm manufacturers from government discrimination. - Voted for Missouri's Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA). - Sponsored legislation preventing government entities from contracting with companies discriminating against gun manufacturers. > “In Congress, he’ll bring that same fight to the national level and stand firm against any attempt to infringe on our God-given right to keep and bear arms.” > — Rick Brattin, via [Campaign site](https://rickbrattin.com/) ### Education and Culture Issues Salience: medium Cleaver focuses on expanding educational funding and job training, while Brattin seeks to remove woke programs and restrict certain books in school libraries. **Emanuel Cleaver:** Supports public education and workforce training Cleaver prioritizes funding for public education, higher education affordability, and workforce development programs. He has received endorsements from national education organizations and launched congressional oversight into veterinary school workloads. - Endorsed by the National Education Association (NEA). - Launched a congressional inquiry into workload and well-being safeguards at U.S. veterinary schools. > “He wants to ensure students have the skills and education needed for thevjobs of today and of the future.” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) **Rick Brattin:** Opposes woke agenda and supports parental rights Serving as Chairman of the Missouri Senate Education Committee, Brattin advocates eliminating woke and DEI programs in schools and federal agencies. He supports parental rights in education and has sponsored legislation banning explicit books in school libraries. - Sponsored state legislation to protect parental rights and remove explicit materials from school libraries. - Pledges to defund ideological programs and remove political agendas from federal education funding. > “Rick will fight to ensure our schools focus on teaching children how to think, not indoctrinating them with a radical political agenda.” > — Rick Brattin, via [Campaign site](https://rickbrattin.com/) ### Veterans and Defense Salience: low Cleaver focuses on securing legislative funding for veteran healthcare and tick-borne disease research, while Brattin emphasizes his service record as a Marine Corps veteran. **Emanuel Cleaver:** Supports expanded veteran care and medical research Cleaver advocates for improving healthcare and benefits for veterans. He also successfully secured $5 million in defense funding for alpha-gal syndrome research through a bipartisan NDAA amendment. - Secured $5 million for alpha-gal syndrome research in the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act. - Advocates for expanding healthcare services and earned benefits for military veterans. > “He supports improving health care for veterans and ensuring that they receive the benefits they have earned protecting our country.” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) **Rick Brattin:** Supports veteran affairs and military readiness Brattin, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served on Missouri's Seniors, Families, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and emphasizes support for service members and national security. - Marine Corps veteran who served on the Missouri Senate Seniors, Families, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. > “I spent six years as a United States Marine, and I’ve spent years in the Missouri Senate fighting for Missouri families.” > — Rick Brattin, via [Campaign site](https://rickbrattin.com/) ### Housing and Community Development Salience: high Cleaver emphasizes federal investment and bipartisan legislation to expand housing supply and affordability, while Brattin has no documented platform on housing. **Emanuel Cleaver:** Supports expanding affordable housing access Cleaver has made housing reform a centerpiece of his legislative career, serving as a lead architect of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. He has also secured federal community project funding for housing improvements and local infrastructure across Missouri's 5th District. - Co-authored the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to expand national housing supply and homeownership access. - Secured over $13 million in federal community project funding for public housing upgrades and neighborhood revitalization. > “Growing up in public housing inspired Congressman Cleaver to make accessible, affordable housing for all a life-long crusade.” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) > “A lead architect of the legislation, Cleaver emphasized that the bill was crafted through bipartisan cooperation to expand housing supply, improve affordability and help more Americans achieve homeownership.” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) **Rick Brattin:** No documented position in our sources ### Healthcare and Senior Programs Salience: medium Cleaver actively works to expand ACA tax credits, Medicaid, and senior entitlements, whereas Brattin has no documented healthcare platform in the source materials. **Emanuel Cleaver:** Supports strengthening ACA, Medicare, and Medicaid Cleaver actively defends the Affordable Care Act, supporting legislation to restore premium tax credits and lower prescription drug prices. He advocates for Medicaid expansion and protecting the long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare. - Co-sponsored House legislation to restore ACA premium tax credits following regional rate hikes. - Supports Medicaid expansion and long-term solvency protections for Social Security and Medicare. > “He has been an ardent supporter and defender of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which has helped bring coverage to millions of Americans.” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) > “He has and will continue to fight for the investments needed to maintain these programs for our seniors.” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) **Rick Brattin:** No documented position in our sources ### Foreign Policy and China Salience: medium Brattin explicitly targets Chinese ownership of land and economic influence, whereas Cleaver's documented platform does not address China policy. **Emanuel Cleaver:** No documented position in our sources **Rick Brattin:** Supports restricting Chinese land ownership and economic influence Brattin views China as a key economic and national security threat. In the Missouri Senate, he filed legislation banning foreign land ownership near defense sites and voted against subsidizing a Chinese air cargo hub. - Filed Missouri legislation to ban foreign land ownership near military installations and defense manufacturing sites. - Voted against state subsidies for a Chinese air cargo hub at St. Louis airport. > “In Congress, he’ll hold China accountable and work to reduce our dependence on Chinese goods.” > — Rick Brattin, via [Campaign site](https://rickbrattin.com/) ### Transportation and Infrastructure Salience: medium Cleaver highlights his record securing federal funding for local transit and infrastructure projects, while Brattin has no documented platform on transportation. **Emanuel Cleaver:** Supports federal infrastructure and transit investments Cleaver emphasizes securing federal infrastructure funds for Missouri's 5th District. His efforts have delivered billions in funding for highways, bridges, transit, water projects, and local revitalization. - Secured over $13 million in federal funds for transit, public safety, and neighborhood projects in Missouri's 5th District. > “His efforts have secured billions of dollars investment for our community and State, including the repair and new construction of highways, roads, bridges, transit, and water projects.” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) **Rick Brattin:** No documented position in our sources ### Democracy, Voting Rights, and Redistricting Salience: medium Cleaver actively opposes redrawn congressional maps and voted against federal proof-of-citizenship voting rules, while Brattin has no documented stance on election administration. **Emanuel Cleaver:** Opposes partisan gerrymandering and restrictive voter laws Cleaver has strongly opposed Missouri's 2025 congressional redistricting plan, arguing that redrawing district boundaries dilutes fair representation for Kansas City voters. He also voted against the SAVE Act in Congress. - Voted Nay on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration. - Publicly criticized state redistricting efforts as gerrymandering intended to undermine urban voter representation. > “In national broadcast coverage, Congressman Cleaver discusses the unprecedented efforts by Missouri lawmakers to redraw congressional maps — a move he says threatens fair representation and could undermine voter influence in Kansas City.” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) **Rick Brattin:** No documented position in our sources ### Labor and Union Rights Salience: low Cleaver strongly champions union collective bargaining rights and federal workers, whereas Brattin has no documented labor platform. **Emanuel Cleaver:** Supports collective bargaining and federal workers Cleaver is a strong supporter of organized labor and federal employees, earning an endorsement from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). He intervened in the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant strike, urging management to bargain in good faith. - Endorsed by AFGE with a 100% legislative voting score on union priorities. - Urged Olin Winchester management to negotiate in good faith with over 1,300 striking union workers at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. > “In a letter to company leadership, they emphasized that collective bargaining is a cornerstone of U.S. labor law and warned that prolonged delays could harm both working families and the nation’s defense supply chain.” > — Emanuel Cleaver, via [Campaign site](https://www.cleaver4congress.com) **Rick Brattin:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/mo-05-house-election-winner) — MO-05 House Election Winner: Democrats 96.7%, Republicans 2.7% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSEMO5-26) — MO-05 House winner?: Emanuel Cleaver 97.0%, Rick Brattin 3.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXMOPRIMARY-05R26) — MO-05 Republican nominee?: Rick Brattin 99.0%, Brad Patty 1.0%, Berton A Knox 1.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-mo-05)