Missouri's 1st Congressional District

Missouri's 1st Congressional District is represented by Wesley Bell (Democrat), who has held the seat since 2025. Bell has an overall VoteSee report card grade of F, voted in 97% of roll-call votes on bills this Congress, and votes with the Democratic majority 97% of the time. The district includes St. Louis, Florissant, and University City. It takes in all or part of 2 counties, and 61% of residents live in St. Louis County. About 753,000 people live in the district, and the median household income is $61,097.

Current Representative

Wesley Bell (Democrat) has represented Missouri's 1st Congressional District since 2025.

VoteSee report card grade: F
Attendance in the 119th Congress: 97% of roll-call votes on bills
Votes with the Democrat majority: 97%

See Wesley Bell's full voting record and issue positions →

2026 Election

U.S. House: Missouri 1st District

Winner: Wesley Bell.

Incumbent Wesley Bell is running for re-election. 3 candidates were on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot.

Wesley Bell (Democratic), incumbent: raised $4.0M, $407K cash on hand; VoteSee report card F; 97% attendance; votes with the Democratic majority 97% of the time
Paul Berry (Republican)
Tom Schmitz (Libertarian)

Polls: No public polls

See the full 2026 race →

District Demographics

Population: 752,720
Median household income: $61,097
Median age: 37
Median home value: $179,500
Bachelor's degree or higher: 38%

Source: American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, 119th Congress boundaries.

How Bell Voted Recently

Yea on American Enrichment Deployment Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Nuclear REFUEL (Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing) Act (Nov 9, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Retire through Ownership Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
Yea on Ratepayer Protection Act (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed

Breaks with the Democrat majority

Yea on Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (Sep 16, 2026) — Passed
No on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 (Jul 15, 2026) — Failed
Nay on AI Warnings And Resources for Education Act (Jun 29, 2026) — Passed

Who Held This Seat Before

Members of Congress who previously represented Missouri's 1st Congressional District. District lines are redrawn after each census, so earlier members may have represented a different area under this number.

Cori Bush — Democrat (2021–2025)
Wm. Clay — Democrat (2001–2021)
Bill Clay — Democrat (1969–2001)
Frank Karsten — Democrat (1953–1969)
Clare Magee — Democrat (1949–1953)
Wat Arnold — Republican (1943–1949)
Milton Romjue — Democrat (1935–1943)
Milton Romjue — Democrat (1923–1933)
Frank Millspaugh — Republican (1921–1923)
Milton Romjue — Democrat (1917–1921)
James Lloyd — Democrat (1897–1917)
Charles Clark — Republican (1895–1897)

Where the District Is

Missouri's 1st Congressional District covers 248 square miles of land. Boundaries are for the current (119th) Congress.

Counties

St. Louis County (part): 61% of residents
St. Louis city: 39% of residents

Largest communities

St. Louis
Florissant
University City
Hazelwood
Old Jamestown
Ferguson
Spanish Lake
Clayton