Graves Retires, Republican Successor Eyed

0:00U.S. Representative Sam Graves, the 62-year-old Republican from Missouri, announced he will retire from Congress after this term and not run. For a 14-time in 2026, he shared the news on social media Friday morning, just days before the candidate filing deadline on Tuesday. Graves, who represents the sprawling 6th district in northern Missouri that reaches into Kansas City's Northland, said it's time to step aside and let the next generation of conservatives take over. Tributes poured in right away from both sides of the aisle. Kansas City Mayor Quinn Lucas, a Democrat, praised Graves for helping fund key local projects like the airport and street car. Missouri Governor Mike Keyho, a Republican, highlighted his work on transportation, agriculture, and military support. Graves first won his seat back in 2000 as an airline pilot from Tarkio, and now chairs the powerful House Transportation and Infrastructure. Committee. He's known for crossing party lines to bring federal dollars home to his district amid

1:02tough partisan fights. With the retirement confirmed, Republicans like Radio host Chris DeGal are jumping in, while others, such as Council Member Nathan Willett and State, Representative Massey Christensen, are being eyed. Three Democrats have already filed, but the district still leans heavily Republican after recent map changes. Eyes are on who will carry forward Graves' legacy. That's your update from Kansas News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story.