Candidates interested in running in the special election for District 45 of the Missouri House of Representatives had until January 27, 2021, to file. David Smith (D) is facing Glenn Nielsen (L) in the general election scheduled for April 6, 2021.
The seat became vacant after Kip Kendrick (D) resigned to become state Senator Greg Razer’s (D) chief of staff. Kendrick had represented the district since 2015.
Heading into the special election, Republicans have a 114-48 majority in the Missouri House. Missouri has a Republican state government trifecta. A trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and majorities in both state legislative chambers.
As of January, 25 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2021 in 16 states. Between 2011 and 2020, an average of 75 special elections took place each year.
Additional Reading: