A quick chat with the conservative radio host running to replace Sam Graves | Opinion
Chris Stigall has spent most of his adult life in conservative talk radio — first in Kansas City, then in Philadelphia, and now back in northwest Missouri, where he broadcasts a nationally syndicated show on the Salem Radio Network.
Now Stigall is making an increasingly familiar pivot, from media personality to political candidate. He’s running for the seat being vacated by Sam Graves — the same congressman he once worked for early in his career, and who has since endorsed his candidacy.
I spoke with Stigall on Thursday for a column I wrote about the race. Here are a few additional excerpts from that conversation that didn’t make it into the piece. I expect to talk in greater policy detail with Stigall in the months ahead.
You were in Philadelphia for a while. How long have you been back in Missouri?
About five years. We decided to pack things up and come back home sometime during the COVID era.
I was born in Ray County. I lived most of my young life in Clay County. Went to Oak Park High School, then went on to Northwest Missouri State University. That’s where I met my wife. I graduated and got my first job in radio in 2000 in Kansas City, and that’s where I stayed until I got the opportunity in 2011 to move to Philadelphia and start my own talk show.
And you’re in Holt now?
Yep, my mailing address is in Holt, north of Kearney. And my office is in Kearney.
How long have you known that Graves wanted you to take over his seat?
Well, I didn’t know anything about him even leaving his seat until — what was it, a week ago? I knew a couple of days before he made it public that he was going to retire. Apparently, that was not a very well-kept secret. But I was not privy to it. It was news to me.
How long have you been thinking about running for office?
It was never anything that I necessarily considered. But as I say, this is my home. It’s been my home for most of my life, and I have three kids that are young adults now. I’ve got a junior in high school who is about to be a senior, I’ve got one in college, and my oldest is 21 and trying to make his own way for the first time, here in this district.
When Sam made the announcement that he was retiring, I began to consider it and pray about it. And I thought, you know, after 25 years of being behind a microphone, talking about the issues, doing battle, communicating with politicians, understanding and studying the ways of Washington — I thought the effort needs better communicators.
I think folks are frustrated with the ways of Washington. And politics is something that I have studied a long time and done battle with on a long trajectory. So I’m going to head to DC, and I hope to communicate with people a little bit better about what I see and what’s going on and how to better voice their concerns.
You’ll be working with Jeff Roe and (his political consulting firm) Axiom Strategies on the campaign. I heard you and Jeff are old friends.
We are. Jeff is just a little older than me, but we were fraternity brothers, actually, but before he even began a political career. We were both TKEs (Tau Kappa Epsilon, a fraternity) at Northwest Missouri State.
You work for Herzog as well?
Yes, in addition to my work with the Salem Media Group, I’ve been doing some work with the Herzog Foundation — not the corporate entity, but the Herzog Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3), dedicated to advancing a Christian education, as well as homeschool education and school choice alternatives.
Herzog is an influential organization in Republican politics here in Missouri, particularly in northwest Missouri. I assume you expect to have their weight behind you in the Congressional race?
I hope I have everybody’s support. I’m running to earn it for sure. My association with the foundation is — they’re not a political entity. But I think people are fond of the work of the foundation, and I’ve emceed a number of their events. I certainly hope I’ll have their support.
One of your opponents in the race, Kansas City Councilman Nathan Willett, has suggested that you’re a “hand-picked replacement” representing the D.C. swamp. What do you think about that narrative?
I don’t know everything Nathan’s had to say about it. What I do know is that Nathan was running for state Senate, and everyone I know was pretty shocked that Nathan then decided not to run for state Senate. But he made that decision to pivot, and God bless America. But he was working with Axiom just a few weeks ago until he decided to change direction. So you’ll have to ask him about that.
What do you think about Willett saying you and Roe are “anti-Trump” because Trump reportedly does not like Roe and his firm? Do you think that’s a stretch?
I think it’s kind of a stretch. All anybody has to do is pop on and listen to my years and years and years of full-throated support for Donald Trump. It’s pretty clear where I stand with the President. I’ve made multiple visits to the White House to cover this White House and this President, and I’m grateful for the continued invites and access to talk with the President and his administration. Whatever other relationships exist out there, I’m not privy to them, nor can I impact them.
But as far as the President is concerned, I one hundred percent support the president’s agenda, and the White House knows that.
