Joplin elections · Federal
U.S. House, Missouri District 7
Election day:
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Who is running
3 candidates on the ballot, from Missouri Secretary of State. Photos come from each candidate's own campaign site.
Photo: Eric W. Burlison campaign Eric W. Burlison
Republican · Incumbent
Burlison is a sixth-generation Missourian and has worked in the private sector as an investment adviser and software consultant. He was elected to the U.S. House in 2022, after serving in the Missouri Senate and House; he graduated from Parkview High School and earned degrees from Missouri State University.
3 sourced statements · Campaign site
Missi Hesketh
Democratic
Hesketh is a teacher and former Forsyth mayor. Her campaign biography, as summarized in a candidate profile, says she served three terms on the Forsyth City Council before becoming mayor in 2023, and that she lives in Forsyth.
1 sourced statement · Campaign site
Kevin Craig
Libertarian
Craig is the Libertarian candidate for the U.S. House in Missouri’s 7th District in the November 3, 2026 election. His campaign website describes him as a Christian Libertarian and outlines his political philosophy and policy goals.
Source: Kevin Craig for Congress
2 sourced statements · Campaign site
Where the candidates stand
Every candidate for U.S. House, Missouri District 7 on each issue any of them has spoken on, in their own words or a close paraphrase, with the source linked. Checked . We do not score, rank or recommend anyone.
Where do the U.S. House, Missouri District 7 candidates in Joplin stand on health care and retirement?
Eric W. Burlison (Republican, incumbent)
I support the Great American Healthcare Act, which I say would expand access to care and lower costs. (Representative Burlison, official House website)
Her campaign lists affordability, protecting children’s futures, healthcare, prioritizing farms over data centers, and auditing government among its priorities. (Missi for MO)
No public statement found in our sources.
Where do the U.S. House, Missouri District 7 candidates in Joplin stand on taxes and spending?
Eric W. Burlison (Republican, incumbent)
I support a federal budget that restores fiscal discipline without cutting Social Security or Medicare. (Representative Burlison, official House website)
No public statement found in our sources.
I am committed to never increasing taxes or spending and to working to abolish federal programs and agencies I consider unconstitutional. (Kevin Craig for Congress)
Other positions
Eric W. Burlison (Republican, incumbent)
I support prohibiting federal funds from being used to purchase, install, maintain, operate, or upgrade automated license-plate readers and biometric surveillance cameras. (Representative Burlison, official House website)
No public statement found in our sources.
My political philosophy is to maximize individual liberty, guided by what I describe as “Liberty Under God.” (Kevin Craig for Congress)
“No public statement found” means we did not find one, not that the candidate has no view. If a position is missing or wrong, tell us.
More on the Joplin ballot
U.S. House, District 6Chris Stigall, Josh Smead, Andy Maidment
State AuditorScott Fitzpatrick, Quentin Wilson, Dustin Coffell
State Representative, District 161Thomas Ross, Aaron Joseph Metzger- State Senate, District 32Jill Carter, Imma J Curl, Mike Jones
State Representative, District 160Cheryle Perkins, Angela Thomas
State Representative, District 127Brenden J. Kelley, Marvin Manring, Racheal Martin
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