Marine veteran and Republican state Senator Rick Brattin is set to challenge Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver in Missouri’s recently redrawn 5th District, positioning him as a probable new member of Congress this autumn.
Having served intermittently in the state legislature since 2011, Brattin emerged victorious from a crowded Republican primary on Tuesday. His campaign was bolstered by a last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump and the backing of GOP Governor Mike Kehoe.
Throughout the primary, Brattin and several other Republican contenders vied for the title of the most conservative candidate. He branded himself as a “MAGA warrior” in his campaign advertisements, emphasizing his pro-gun and anti-abortion positions.
Last September, Missouri Republicans approved a new Congressional map that restructured Cleaver’s district, making it a potential gain for the GOP in the upcoming November elections. Despite Democratic efforts to challenge it legally, the map has remained intact.
While there is still a possibility that Missouri might hold a statewide referendum to oppose the gerrymandering, it seems likely that the newly configured district will remain in place for at least the next Congress, paving the way for Brattin’s journey to Washington.
