After Sam Graves’ exit, Kansas City councilman files to run for Congress
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Willett filed for Missouri’s 6th District after Graves announced he would retire.
- Willett shifted from a state Senate bid and raised his local GOP profile.
- Open seat drew multiple Republicans (at least two) and three Democrats to file.
Kansas City council member Nathan Willett filed to run for Congress on Monday after powerful U.S. Rep. Sam Graves announced he will retire and not seek reelection.
Willett, a Republican from Platte County, had previously launched a campaign for the Missouri Senate but shifted gears to Missouri’s 6th Congressional District after Graves’ announcement on Friday.
Willett is scheduled to host a “special announcement” — likely a formal campaign launch — alongside radio show host Pete Mundo Tuesday evening. When asked for comment on his decision to file, Willett told The Star he would issue a statement before his campaign kickoff on Tuesday.
The retirement from Graves, a 13-term congressman whose district includes Kansas City’s Northland, is expected to spark a rush of Republican candidates vying for his seat. In addition to Willett, radio host Chris Stigall filed to run after Graves’ announced retirement.
In recent weeks, Willett has taken steps to raise his profile among Republican primary voters.
After an employee at Kansas City International Airport was accused of secretly recording women, Willett seized on the issue and publicly pushed for fewer all-gender bathrooms at the airport. And during a routine budget discussion last week, Willett offered an amendment that he said would have added more funding for Kansas City’s police.
Platte County Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker and Prosecutor Eric Zahnd, who have been at odds with each other in recent months, threw their support behind Willett’s potential campaign in a rare joint statement over the weekend.
“Not many things have brought us together over the last few months but we are coming together to support Nathan Willett for Congress should he decided to file next week,” the statement said. “We need the next generation of conservatives to step up and believe he’d be the perfect option to bring together the people of North Missouri.”
Missouri’s 6th District stretches across a broad swath of northern Missouri and includes northern Kansas City. The district lines shifted slightly under a new congressional map passed by state lawmakers, but it’s still largely expected to favor Republicans.
Whichever candidate wins the Republican primary will succeed one of Missouri’s most powerful and respected congressional members. Graves, who chairs the influential House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has been hailed for bringing money back to Kansas City and his district.
A math teacher by trade, Willett has represented a Northland district on the Kansas City Council since 2023. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri, where he served as student body president. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
As a roster of Republican candidates weigh potential campaigns to succeed Graves, three Democrats have filed to run for the seat: Scot Pondelick and Matt Levine of Kansas City and Josh Smead from Liberty.
