With filing now open for the 2026 election cycle, African American lawmakers across Missouri are preparing for what could bring notable changes to Black representation in the state legislature.
Candidate filing opened Feb. 24 and runs through March 31. Missouri’s primary election will be held Aug. 4, followed by the general election in November.
The Missouri Senate includes 38 members elected to four-year terms, with half the chamber on the ballot every two years. The Missouri House of Representatives has 163 members who serve two-year terms and stand for election every two years.
Under Missouri’s term limits, lawmakers may serve a maximum of eight years in the House and eight years in the Senate. The limit applies to total years served in each chamber, though legislators may serve the maximum in both chambers.
Senate: Two Black Senators Termed Out
Currently, five African Americans serve in the Missouri Senate. Four represent districts in the St. Louis area. The only Black senator representing the Kansas City region is Barbara Washington, who serves the 9th District.
Of the five Black senators, only two are up for election this cycle — both from the St. Louis area — and both have reached their term limits and cannot run again.
Washington is not on the ballot this year. First elected to the Senate in 2020, she is serving her second and final term and will be term-limited in 2028.
The departures in St. Louis mean at least two new Black senators could be elected in 2026, depending on primary and general election outcomes.
House: Seven Black Lawmakers In Kansas City Metro
There are reportedly 20 African Americans serving in the Missouri House, with seven representing districts in the Kansas City metro area. We’ve attached a map of the Kansas City area districts. If you want to know what district you live in, go to https://modistrictmaps.org/ and enter your address.
Here is where those seats stand:
Yolanda Young, who represents the 22nd District began serving in 2019, when she was elected during a special election.. She is running again for what would be her final term under House term limits. As of now, she has no opposition. Her wide district is near the top of KCMO running mostly east of 71 and across upper part of what has been KC’s historic Black community, sometime running north of I70.
Michael Johnson, representing the 23rd District in the northernmost central Kansas City area, began serving in 2020 and is eligible for one more term. The district is one of the northernmost in KCMO and includes portions of downtown. KCMO. As of this reporting, he has not filed for reelection. Democrat Atty. Tony L. Van Trece has filed to run for the seat.
Tiffany Price, who represents the 26th District, was first elected in 2024 and has filed for reelection. No challengers have filed. This district fits below the 27th district and similarly runs east of 7q to west of 435 and picks up Bannister road and
Melissa Douglas, representing the 27th District, was also first elected in 2024 and has filed for reelection. No opponents have filed. This district is just below the 26th and runs east of 71 to west of 435 and goes far enough south to pick up Swope Park.
Donna Barnes represents the 28th District, which includes much of Raytown. She was first elected in 2024, succeeding her husband, former Rep. Jerome Barnes, who served eight years before reaching his term limit. Barnes faces a Democratic primary challenge from Mike Sager, who served in the house during the 2003 legislative session and lost to Barnes in the 2024 primary.
Anthony Ealy, representing the 36th District covering the Grandview area, was elected in 2022. As of now, he has not filed for reelection, and no other candidates have filed for the seat.
Mark Sharp, who represents the 37th District covering much of southern Kansas City below Banister Road, was first elected in a 2019 special election. He appears eligible for one more term but has not yet filed. He does have a Democratic primary challenger, Karissa Varga.We’ll keep you updated on candidate filings online at www.communityvoiceks.com.
