Missouri's 5th Congressional District

Missouri's 5th Congressional District is represented by Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat), who has held the seat since 2005. Cleaver has an overall VoteSee report card grade of D, voted in 96% of roll-call votes on bills this Congress, and votes with the Democratic majority 97% of the time. The district includes Kansas City, Independence, and Lee's Summit. It takes in all or part of 2 counties, and 81% of residents live in Jackson County. About 772,000 people live in the district, and the median household income is $67,634.

Current Representative

Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat) has represented Missouri's 5th Congressional District since 2005.

VoteSee report card grade: D
Attendance in the 119th Congress: 96% of roll-call votes on bills
Votes with the Democrat majority: 97%

See Emanuel Cleaver's full voting record and issue positions →

2026 Election

U.S. House: Missouri 5th District

Winner: Emanuel Cleaver.

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

Emanuel Cleaver (Democratic), incumbent: raised $1.8M, $883K cash on hand; VoteSee report card D; 96% attendance; votes with the Democratic majority 97% of the time
Rick Brattin (Republican): raised $457K, $359 cash on hand
Randy Langkraehr (Libertarian)

Polls: No public polls

See the full 2026 race →

District Demographics

Population: 772,256
Median household income: $67,634
Median age: 37
Median home value: $226,700
Bachelor's degree or higher: 34.4%

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

How Cleaver 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

No on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 (Jul 15, 2026) — Failed
Yea on Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 (May 13, 2026) — Passed
Nay on Honoring the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk. (Sep 19, 2025) — Passed

Who Held This Seat Before

Members of Congress who previously represented Missouri's 5th Congressional District. District lines are redrawn after each census, so earlier members may have represented a different area under this number.

Karen McCarthy — Democrat (1995–2005)
Alan Wheat — Democrat (1983–1995)
Richard Bolling — Democrat (1949–1983)
Albert Reeves — Republican (1947–1949)
Roger Slaughter — Democrat (1943–1947)
Joseph Shannon — Democrat (1935–1943)
Joseph Shannon — Democrat (1931–1933)
Edgar Ellis — Republican (1929–1931)
George Combs — Democrat (1927–1929)
Edgar Ellis — Republican (1925–1927)
Henry Jost — Democrat (1923–1925)
Edgar Ellis — Republican (1921–1923)

Where the District Is

Missouri's 5th Congressional District covers 422 square miles of land. Boundaries are for the current (119th) Congress.

Counties

Jackson County (part): 81% of residents
Clay County (part): 19% of residents

Largest communities

Kansas City (part)
Independence (part)
Lee's Summit (part)
Raytown
Gladstone
Grandview
Blue Springs (part)
Greenwood (part)