Candidates share why they deserve your vote
Published 5:00 am Wednesday, October 21, 2026
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Christian County voters will go to the polls to cast their vote for the candidates they want to see in office. Here, the candidates in the area contested elections give their reasons for why they think the voters should choose them. The Christian County Headliner does not endorse any candidate, party or ballot issue, but does encourage all who are eligible to vote to do so on Nov. 3.
United States Rep. District 7:
Eric Burlison
Party: Republican
Education:
Parkview High School, Springfield (1995). Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (2000) and Master of Business Administration (2002), Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University).
Occupation: U.S. Representative for Missouri’s 7th Congressional District. Before that I worked in health care technology as a software engineer and business analyst at CoxHealth and Cerner, and served in the Missouri House (2009–2016) and the Missouri Senate (2019–2023).
Why should somebody vote for you?
I was born in Springfield, and Angie and I are raising our two daughters here. Before Congress, I worked in health care software at CoxHealth and Cerner, so I know firsthand how broken that system is.
My signs say “Bold Conservative Voice.” Check any scorecard and you’ll see I mean it.
I made promises and kept them. Able-bodied adults on welfare now have to work, the federal tax on suppressors is gone, we secured Stockton Lake water for Southwest Missouri through 2060, and we finally got the Army Corps to work with Table Rock Lake landowners.
Next, I want to bring down health care costs. My Great American Healthcare Plan puts the dollars back in patients’ hands with bigger health savings accounts and real prices up front.
Washington has plenty of people who go along to get along. I’ll keep fighting for you. I’d be honored to have your vote.
Missi Hesketh
Party: Democrat
Education:
A.A. Business Administration
B.S. Elementary Education
M.Ed. Gifted Education
Ed.S. Special Education and Assessment
Occupation: Teacher
Why should someone vote for you?
I am a mom, teacher, and former mayor who strives to fit as much into each day as possible every day. The 118th and 119th Congress, of which the incumbent was a member, are two of the least productive in history due to partisan politics and grandstanding. Voters want a representative who will not usurp their responsibility of checks and balances. They do not want a representative who increases the national debt by $4 trillion dollars by passing the 900+ page OBBB. Voters have also shared disdain for representatives who consistently push policies that they disagree with, like Amendments 4 & 5, hyperscale data centers, gerrymandered maps, and supporting more endless wars. My priorities mirror those of the people with whom I have talked over the last three years: accountability in DC, affordability across the board, and in-person town halls to communicate what is actually happening at the federal level.
Kevin Craig
Party: Libertarian
Education:
B.A. University of Southern California
M.A. Simon Greenleaf School of Law (thesis did not get read)
J.D. Simon Greenleaf School of Law
Occupation: Founder, webmaster, Vine & Fig Tree ministries
Why should someone vote for you?
I am the only candidate in the race who will keep the oath to follow
the Constitution. The Constitution is a document of enumerated powers.
The government can do only those things enumerated in the Constitution.
The other candidates believe the government can do anything it wants.
Following the Constitution would cut trillions (not just billions) of
dollars in government spending and double the purchasing power of most
Missourians.
In 2026 we celebrated the Declaration of Independence, which says we
have a duty to abolish any government that becomes a tyranny. Taxes
today are 20 times larger than the government America’s Founders
abolished. Washington D.C. has murdered, maimed, or made homeless tens
of millions of innocent non-combatant civilians around the world during
my lifetime. America’s Founders would abolish it.
Maybe you don’t think we should abolish the government, but if you
believe it should be smaller, you send that message by voting for Kevin
Craig. Voting for any other candidate says everything’s OK.
State Representative, District 138:
Burt Whaley
Party: Republican
Education:
BSE in Science Education
MSE in Secondary Administration
EdSp in Superintendency from CMSU/UCM.
Occupation: Retired U.S. Army (3 years active duty and 17 years in the Reserves); retired teacher and principal (28 years).
Why should someone vote for you?
I am a lifelong Missourian who has dedicated my life to serving God, country, and community. I proudly served 20 years in the U.S. Army, including 3 years active duty and 17 years in the Reserves and 28 years serving Missouri students as a teacher and principal.
My commitment to service extends beyond my career through school and youth center boards, coaching, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, church leadership, mission trips, election judging, and security training for schools and churches.
I remain active in Republican organizations, veterans’ groups, chambers of commerce, and Stone County Citizens in Action.
Six independent conservative organizations ranked my voting record between 6th and 12th among 163 Missouri representatives. My endorsements include Congressman Eric Burlison, the Stone County Sheriff, Tri-Lakes Realtors, SCMRA, Missouri Freedom Caucus, and Freedom Principle MO.
I believe our God-given rights must be protected through faith, family, freedom, and the Constitution.
Chris Daughterty
Party: Democrat
Education:
I attended Clever Schools
Occupation: I’m a City Clerk, and the Chairman of the Stone County Ambulance District.
Why should someone vote for you?
A little about me – I’ve lived in Stone or Christian County my entire life. I’ve been married for 35 years. I’m a father and a grandfather. I’ve been in public service for nearly 15 years as a City Clerk.
A little about why you should vote for me – Jefferson City keeps telling us what they think we want, instead of listening to us tell them. Even when we give them irrefutable evidence (see the vote on Amendments 4 & 5), they still don’t listen. Your state government is supposed to work for the people and not the other way around, and they need to be reminded of that. Our priorities should be education, public health and social services, support for our seniors and our veterans, and infrastructure state wide.
State Representative, District 140:
Jamie Ray Gragg
Party: Republican
Education:
Graduate of Ozark High “88”, BS SBU “96”
Masters work in Marriage & Family Counseling from Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth Texas
Occupation: Aside from my legislative duties, I run a small woodshop making wooden toys and wood art.
Why should someone vote for you?
Voters should choose me because I am rooted in Christian County, committed to our community, and focused on protecting the values that make Southwest Missouri a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
As a small-government conservative, I believe in lower taxes, government accountability, safer communities, parental rights, protecting the unborn, and defending our constitutional freedoms. I believe government should work for the people, not the other way around.
During my time in the Missouri House, I have worked to represent our district with common sense, integrity, and a willingness to roll up my sleeves and get things done. I value listening to constituents, standing firm on principle, and finding practical solutions to the challenges facing our families and businesses.
My family has called this area home for more than 160 years. I am proud of our heritage and committed to preserving our values and opportunities for the next generation. I am rooted in Christian County and committed to its future.
Julia Curran
Party: Democrat
Education:
St. Vincent’s School of Nursing
Community University of New York
Occupation: Registered Professional Nurse, CNRN (retired)
Why should someone vote for you?
Our community deserves a representative that delivers real results, not political games. As a long-time resident here in Christian County and a registered nurse for 35 years, I’ve cared for patients in their most vulnerable moments, from the bedside to advocacy.
In healthcare, you don’t ask about political parties—you focus on what people need. I will bring that same fierce commitment to the Missouri House, placing our neighbors above any political agenda. I will fight to reduce the cost of living, strengthen public education, protect our communities, and enforce responsible budgeting.
To ensure your voice is heard, I will hold regular town halls, break through partisan gridlock for local solutions, demand real-time tracking of tax dollars to eliminate waste, and secure a seat at the decision-making table for local taxpayers and businesses. I understand our values and I am ready to fight for our community’s future. I respectfully ask for your vote to be your state representative
