Missouri Democrats captured 16 Republican-held state House seats in Tuesday’s election, breaking a two-thirds GOP supermajority that had lasted since 2012. Republicans will enter the January session with 95 seats, while Democrats will hold 68. The Democratic gains nearly matched the 17 seats Republicans picked up in 2010, their biggest election success of this century.
Among the districts changing hands was the seat covering downtown Jefferson City and the Missouri Governor’s Mansion. Suzanne Luther, a former Jefferson City Board of Education member, defeated Republican Shane Kampeter. Her district will include the official residence of Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe. House Democratic floor leader Ashley Aune of Kansas City welcomed the results, saying she was excited about entering the next General Assembly without her party being in a superminority.
Democrats also prevailed in places considered secure for Republicans. Stacy Czar of Belton defeated Steve Baker for the open 56th District seat in Cass County. In St. Charles County, Democrats captured three seats after 20 years without winning one. Republicans failed to take any Democratic-held district, while Democrats retained every seat they were defending and won nearly all the Republican-held seats they targeted.
Republican losses included state Rep. Brad Christ, who represented St. Louis County’s 96th District and was pursuing a leadership post. Maryellen Murphy also lost her bid to succeed her husband, James Murphy, in the 94th District. Newly elected lawmakers from both parties are scheduled to meet in Jefferson City on Wednesday and Thursday to choose leaders for the coming session.
Republicans nevertheless entered the election with a substantial advantage in districts considered safe. Of 87 such districts contested by both major parties, Republicans held 78 and Democrats held nine. Separately, Republicans were assured five seats and Democrats 32 because their candidates either had no opponents or faced only minor-party challengers.
The Independent classified 39 districts statewide as less than safe for the party holding them. The national Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee targeted 12 districts, including 11 held by Republicans. The House Republican Campaign Committee concentrated on protecting 13 seats, 10 of which were also Democratic targets, and sought to defeat one Democratic incumbent.
Republicans also held a large fundraising advantage. Since the start of 2025, GOP candidates, affiliated political action committees and the House Republican Campaign Committee raised $17.7 million, compared with $7.1 million for Democratic candidates, PACs and the House Democratic Action Fund. Reports covering activity through Oct. 22 showed Republican spending of $6.5 million and Democratic spending of $4.6 million.
Whether the Democratic gains signal a lasting shift remains for future elections to establish. Control of the chamber has historically changed slowly: Democrats won House majorities in every election from 1954 through 2000, and Republicans have won every election since. Democrats last secured a supermajority in 1986.
