Jewel Kelly

Jewel Kelly is a U.S. Air Force veteran, small-business owner, and mental health advocate running to flip a seat in the Missouri House in November. The oldest of 18 children, Jewel saw firsthand how a good union job can keep a working family on its feet. During his time in the Air Force, Jewel rose to the rank of Captain, leading 226 Airmen and overseeing $113 million in assets. After his family was affected by suicide, Jewel and his wife founded A Fighting Chance Foundation, and he is deeply committed to increasing access to health care, mental health support, strong public schools, and everyday necessities that working families struggle to afford.

In what will be one of the most competitive districts in Missouri this year, Jewel is mounting a strong campaign with the DLCC’s support, and he’s ready to flip this seat and help Democrats make gains in the Missouri House.

2026 is a historic opportunity for Democrats to gain ground in Missouri, where Republicans currently hold supermajorities in both the state House and Senate.

The GOP has used its unchecked power in the Missouri legislature to rubber-stamp the MAGA agenda at every turn. In 2025, they blatantly rigged the state’s congressional maps to silence voters, and they have doubled down on attacks on reproductive health care despite Missourians explicitly voting to protect their rights.

With only 3 additional seats needed to break the supermajority in the state House and 2 in the state Senate, Missouri Democrats are fighting for every inch of ground. The DLCC has worked with partners in the state to identify the best opportunities for red-to-blue flips and key Democratic seats to defend in November.

Breaking Republican supermajorities in Missouri means protecting critical aspects of democracy, such as ballot initiatives that allow the people to push back directly against far-right extremism. Now is the time to rally behind Democrats in Missouri, and the DLCC is leading the charge.