# Missouri's 1st congressional district

Missouri's 1st congressional district is in the eastern portion of the state. It includes all of St. Louis City and much of northern St. Louis County, including the cities of Maryland Heights, University City, Ferguson and Florissant. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of D+27, it is the most Democratic district in Missouri. Roughly half of the district's population is African American.
Its current representative is Democrat Wesley Bell, who was first elected in 2024. William Lacy Clay, Jr., had previously represented the district between 2001 and 2021, succeeding his father, William Lacy Clay, Sr.

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | Obama 78% - 21% |
| 2012 | President | Obama 78% - 22% |
| 2016 | President | Clinton 75% - 21% |
| 2016 | Senate | Kander 77% - 19% |
| 2016 | Governor | Koster 76% - 21% |
| 2016 | Lt. Governor | Carnahan 75% - 21% |
| 2016 | Secretary of State | Smith 73% - 24% |
| 2016 | Attorney General | Hensley 75% - 25% |
| 2018 | Senate | McCaskill 80% - 18% |
| 2018 | Auditor | Galloway 81% - 16% |
| 2020 | President | Biden 78% - 20% |
| 2020 | Governor | Galloway 77% - 21% |
| 2020 | Lt. Governor | Canady 75% - 22% |
| 2020 | Secretary of State | Faleti 74% - 24% |
| 2020 | Treasurer | Englund 74% - 23% |
| 2020 | Attorney General | Finneran 75% - 23% |
| 2022 | Senate | Busch Valentine 79% - 20% |
| 2024 | President | Harris 78% - 21% |
| 2024 | Senate | Kunce 77% - 19% |
| 2024 | Governor | Quade 75% - 22% |
| 2024 | Lt. Governor | Brown 75% - 20% |
| 2024 | Secretary of State | Phifer 77% - 20% |
| 2024 | Treasurer | Osmack 74% - 22% |
| 2024 | Attorney General | Gross 76% - 22% |

## Composition

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:
Independent cities (1)
    St. Louis
St. Louis County (59)
    Bellefontaine Neighbors, Bellerive Acres, Bel-Nor, Bel-Ridge, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Black Jack, Brentwood (part; also 2nd), Bridgeton, Calverton Park, Castle Point, Champ, Charlack, Clayton, Cool Valley, Country Club Hills, Creve Coeur (part; also 2nd), Delwood, Edmundson, Ferguson, Flordell Hills, Florissant, Frontenac (part; also 2nd), Glasgow Village, Glendale (part; also 2nd), Glen Echo Park, Greendale, Hanley Hills, Hazelwood, Hillsdale, Jennings, Kinloch, Ladue (part; also 2nd), Maryland Heights (part; also 2nd), Moline Acres, Normandy, Northwoods, Norwood Court, Old Jamestown, Olivette, Overland, Pagedale, Pasadena Hills, Pasadena Park, Pine Lawn, Richmond Heights (part; also 2nd), Riverview, Rock Hill, St. Ann, St. John, Spanish Lake, University City, Uplands Park, Velda City, Velda Village Hills, Vinita Park, Webster Groves (part; also 2nd), Wellston, Woodson Terrace

## List of members representing the district

| Member | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history | District location |
| District created March 4, 1847 ||||||
| James B. Bowlin (St. Louis) | Democratic | March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1851 | 30th 31st | Redistricted from the at-large district and re-elected in 1846. Re-elected in 1848. Lost re-election. | |
| John F. Darby (St. Louis) | Whig | March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 | 32nd | Elected in 1850. Retired. | |
| Thomas Hart Benton (St. Louis) | Democratic | March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 | 33rd | Elected in 1852. Lost re-election. | |
| Luther M. Kennett (St. Louis) | Opposition | March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 | 34th | Elected in 1854. Lost re-election. | |
| Francis P. Blair Jr. (St. Louis) | Republican | March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1859 | 35th | Elected in 1856. Lost re-election. | |
| John R. Barret (St. Louis) | Democratic | March 4, 1859 – June 8, 1860 | 36th | Elected in 1858. Lost election contest in the House. | |
| Francis P. Blair Jr. (St. Louis) | Republican | June 8, 1860 – June 25, 1860 | 36th | Seated by the House upon winning contested election. Resigned. | |
| Vacant | Vacant | June 25, 1860 – October 3, 1860 | 36th | | |
| John R. Barret (St. Louis) | Democratic | October 3, 1860 – March 3, 1861 | 36th | Elected to finish Blair's term. Lost re-election. | |
| Francis P. Blair Jr. (St. Louis) | Republican | March 4, 1861 – March 4, 1863 | 37th | Elected in 1860. | |
| Francis P. Blair Jr. (St. Louis) | Union Emancipation | March 4, 1863– June 10, 1864 | 38th | Re-elected in 1862. Lost contested election. | |
| Samuel Knox (St. Louis) | People's Emancipation | June 10, 1864 – March 3, 1865 | 38th | Won contested election. Lost re-election. | |
| John Hogan (St. Louis) | Democratic | March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1867 | 39th | Elected in 1864. Lost re-election. | |
| William A. Pile (St. Louis) | Republican | March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1869 | 40th | Elected in 1866. Lost re-election. | |
| Erastus Wells (St. Louis) | Democratic | March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1873 | 41st 42nd | Elected in 1868. Re-elected in 1870. Redistricted to the 2nd district. | |
| Edwin O. Stanard (St. Louis) | Republican | March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875 | 43rd | Elected in 1872. Lost re-election. | |
| Edward C. Kehr (St. Louis) | Democratic | March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877 | 44th | Elected in 1874. Lost re-election. | |
| Anthony F. Ittner (St. Louis) | Republican | March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1879 | 45th | Elected in 1876. Retired. | |
| Martin L. Clardy (Farmington) | Democratic | March 3, 1879 – March 3, 1883 | 46th 47th | Elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Redistricted to the 10th district. | |
| William H. Hatch (Hannibal) | Democratic | March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1895 | 48th 49th 50th 51st 52nd 53rd | Redistricted from the 12th district and re-elected in 1882. Re-elected in 1884. Re-elected in 1886. Re-elected in 1888. Re-elected in 1890. Re-elected in 1892. Lost re-election. | |
| Charles N. Clark (Hannibal) | Republican | March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1897 | 54th | Elected in 1894. Retired. | |
| Vacant | Vacant | March 4, 1897 – June 1, 1897 | 55th | | |
| James T. Lloyd (Shelbyville) | Democratic | June 1, 1897 – March 3, 1917 | 55th 56th 57th 58th 59th 60th 61st 62nd 63rd 64th | Elected after the death of member-elect Richard P. Giles. Re-elected in 1898. Re-elected in 1900. Re-elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Retired. | |
| Milton A. Romjue (Macon) | Democratic | March 4, 1917 – March 3, 1921 | 65th 66th | Elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Lost re-election. | |
| Frank C. Millspaugh (Canton) | Republican | March 4, 1921 – December 5, 1922 | 67th | Elected in 1920. Lost re-election and resigned. | |
| Vacant | Vacant | December 5, 1922 – March 3, 1923 | 67th | | |
| Milton A. Romjue (Macon) | Democratic | March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1933 | 68th 69th 70th 71st 72nd | Elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Redistricted to the at-large district. | |
| District inactive | District inactive | March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935 | 73rd | All representatives elected at-large on a general ticket | |
| Milton A. Romjue (Macon) | Democratic | January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1943 | 74th 75th 76th 77th | Redistricted from the at-large district and re-elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Lost re-election. | |
| Samuel W. Arnold (Kirksville) | Republican | January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1949 | 78th 79th 80th | Elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Lost re-election. | |
| Clare Magee (Unionville) | Democratic | January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1953 | 81st 82nd | Elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Retired. |
| Frank M. Karsten (St. Louis) | Democratic | January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1969 | 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th | Redistricted from the 13th district and re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Retired. | 1953–1963 [data missing] |
| Frank M. Karsten (St. Louis) | Democratic | January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1969 | 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th | Redistricted from the 13th district and re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Retired. | 1963–1973 [data missing] |
| Frank M. Karsten (St. Louis) | Democratic | January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1969 | 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th | Redistricted from the 13th district and re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Retired. | 1963–1973 [data missing] |
| Bill Clay (St. Louis) | Democratic | January 3, 1969 – January 3, 2001 | 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th | Elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Retired. | 1963–1973 [data missing] |
| Bill Clay (St. Louis) | Democratic | January 3, 1969 – January 3, 2001 | 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th | Elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Retired. | 1973–1983 [data missing] |
| Bill Clay (St. Louis) | Democratic | January 3, 1969 – January 3, 2001 | 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th | Elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Retired. | 1983–1993 [data missing] |
| Bill Clay (St. Louis) | Democratic | January 3, 1969 – January 3, 2001 | 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th | Elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Retired. | 1993–2003 [data missing] |
| Lacy Clay (St. Louis) | Democratic | January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2021 | 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th | Elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Lost renomination. | 1993–2003 [data missing] |
| Lacy Clay (St. Louis) | Democratic | January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2021 | 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th | Elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Lost renomination. | 2003–2013 |
| Lacy Clay (St. Louis) | Democratic | January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2021 | 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th | Elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Lost renomination. | 2013–2023 |
| Cori Bush (St. Louis) | Democratic | January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 | 117th 118th | Elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Lost renomination. | 2013–2023 |
| Cori Bush (St. Louis) | Democratic | January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 | 117th 118th | Elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Lost renomination. | 2023–present |
| Wesley Bell (Clayton) | Democratic | January 3, 2025– present | 119th | Elected in 2024. | 2023–present |

## Recent election results
### 2012

Missouri's 1st congressional district, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Lacy Clay (incumbent) | 267,927 | 78.7 |
| | Republican | Robyn Hamlyn | 60,832 | 17.9 |
| | Libertarian | Robb Cunningham | 11,824 | 3.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 340,583 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2014

Missouri's 1st congressional district, 2014 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Lacy Clay (incumbent) | 119,315 | 73.0 |
| | Republican | Daniel J. Elder | 35,273 | 21.6 |
| | Libertarian | Robb E. Cunningham | 8,906 | 5.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 163,494 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2016

Missouri's 1st congressional district, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Lacy Clay (incumbent) | 236,993 | 75.5 |
| | Republican | Steven Bailey | 62,714 | 20.0 |
| | Libertarian | Robb Cunningham | 14,317 | 4.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 314,024 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2018

Missouri's 1st congressional district, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Lacy Clay (incumbent) | 219,781 | 80.1 |
| | Republican | Robert Vroman | 45,867 | 16.7 |
| | Libertarian | Robb Cunningham | 8,727 | 3.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 274,375 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2020

Missouri's 1st congressional district, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Cori Bush | 249,087 | 78.8 |
| | Republican | Anthony Rogers | 59,940 | 19.0 |
| | Libertarian | Alex Furman | 6,766 | 2.1 |
| | Independent | Martin Baker (write-in) | 378 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 316,171 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2022

Missouri's 1st congressional district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Cori Bush (incumbent) | 160,999 | 72.8 |
| | Republican | Andrew Jones | 53,767 | 24.3 |
| | Libertarian | George A. Zsidisin | 6,192 | 2.8 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 220,958 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |