Democrat Fred Wellman of Wildwood will face off against Republican incumbent Ann Wagner in the Nov. 3 general election.
Wagner of Ballwin won the Republican primary against challengers Peter A. Pfeifer, Brandon Wilkinson, Matthew R. Grant and Elizabeth Sparks-Homes by more than 22,000 votes, according to complete, but unofficial results from the Missouri Secretary of State’s office.
In the Jefferson County portion of the district, Wagner received 5,741 votes (64.25 percent of the vote), according to complete, but unofficial results by the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office.
In the district, Wellman won the Democrat primary with 39,327 votes. Joan VonDras of Wildwood received 36,906 votes and Timothy Bilash received 9,547 votes.
In the Jefferson County portion of the district, VonDras fared better than Wellman. She received 2,223 votes (52 percent) to Wellman’s 1,316 votes (31 percent), according to complete, but unofficial results by the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office.
Wellman and Wagner will face Libertarian Brandon Coulter Daugherty, who ran unopposed, in the Nov. 3 general election.
Nine candidates had campaigned to represent Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses portions of St. Louis County, including just north of the Meramec River at Arnold, Eureka, Wildwood and Fenton, along with High Ridge, Cedar Hill, De Soto and Dittmer in Jefferson County. It also encompasses Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade and Washington counties. Wagner, a Republican, has held the seat since 2012. She was reelected in 2014, 2016, 2020, 2022 and 2024.
Last fall, Gov. Mike Kehoe approved a mid-decade redistricting of the state’s congressional maps. The 2nd Congressional District now includes a new portion of Jefferson County from Fenton to De Soto. Washington, Crawford and Gasconade counties also were added to the district.
Previously, Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District included all of Franklin County and portions of St. Louis, St. Charles and Warren counties.
Members of Congress receive an annual salary of approximately $174,000.
Wagner, 63, has represented Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District since 2013. She served as the United States ambassador to Luxembourg from 2005-2009. She served as the first woman chair of the Missouri Republican Party from 1999-2005. She also served as a local committeewoman in Lafayette Township, and on the boards of the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Campfire USA, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Cor Jesu Academy, Forest Park Forever and International Scholars Academy at Washington University in St. Louis. She held management positions at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City and Ralston-Purina in St. Louis. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 1984 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. Wagner is married to Ray and has three children and six grandchildren.
On Tuesday, she said she felt good about the race and voter turnout.
Wagner said she had been campaigning across District 2 on Election Day, including in Jefferson County along the Hwy. 30 corridor.
“I was born and raised here, and I’m incredibly blessed to represent this district,” she said. “This is God’s country.”
Wagner said she has family in Cedar Hill who were excited to vote for her for the first time.
As for her Republican challengers, Wagner said she had not heard from them on election night.
“I really haven’t seen them on the campaign trail, but that’s what so great about Missouri, everyone can campaign,” she said.
Wagner said she is looking forward to the November election and thanked her volunteers for their hard work.
“We take nothing for granted here,” she said. “I want to fight for our values and the true American way.”
Wellman, 60, of Wildwood currently hosts the “On Democracy” podcast on the MeidasTouch Network and was previously the executive director of the Lincoln Project. He graduated from West Point in 1987 and holds a master’s degree from the Harvard Kennedy School. He is a 22-year retired Army veteran.
Wellman has four adult children and lives with his fiancée Heather.
He said he feels great about his victory.
“It’s been a long road coming, we started off with a very clear goal of building a professional campaign focused on the economic issues that so many of Missourians are facing right now. We stuck to that message throughout, and I think it resonated,” he said. “I think people see an opportunity to send a fighter to Washington, D.C., who understands what it’s like for average people and working people right now. I’m humbled by so many people having faith in me, putting their faith in us, and now we’re on to the general (election).”
Wellman said he feels great about going up against Wagner on Nov. 3.
He said he is open to having a debate with her before the election.
“I would love to have the opportunity to discuss this, compare our policies, compare our views on what we need. Hold Ms. Wagner accountable for her decisions she’s made as our representative,” he said. “I think folks need to see and hear from her and have her defend what she’s done or how little she’s done for our district, and I am happy to have that conversation.”
Wellman said he had not spoken to any of his Democratic opponents on election night.
“Everybody put in a good fight, and it ended up being a lot tighter and that shows how many folks got involved and how many people voted in this election,” he said. “The best of luck to them both, and I appreciate their work.”