Wesley Smith (Missouri)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Wesley Smith

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 6, 2024

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Personal

Birthplace

St. Louis, Mo.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Member, U.S. Army

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Wesley Smith (Republican Party) (also known as The Wolf of Washington) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Missouri's 2nd Congressional District. He did not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on August 6, 2024.

Biography

Wesley Smith was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended American Military University. Smith began serving in the United States Army in 2013.

Elections

2024

See also: Missouri's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024

Missouri's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (August 6 Republican primary)

Missouri's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (August 6 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Missouri District 2

Incumbent Ann Wagner defeated Ray Hartmann, Brandon Daugherty, and Shelby Davis in the general election for U.S. House Missouri District 2 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ann Wagner (R)	54.5	233,444
		Ray Hartmann (D)	42.5	182,056
		Brandon Daugherty (L)	2.1	8,951
		Shelby Davis (G)	0.9	3,941

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 428,392
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Missouri District 2

Ray Hartmann defeated Chuck Summers in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Missouri District 2 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ray Hartmann	77.7	42,605
		Chuck Summers	22.3	12,200

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 54,805
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• John Kiehne (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Missouri District 2

Incumbent Ann Wagner defeated Peter Pfeifer in the Republican primary for U.S. House Missouri District 2 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ann Wagner	64.8	56,865
		Peter Pfeifer	35.2	30,847

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 87,712
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Wesley Smith (R)

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for U.S. House Missouri District 2

Brandon Daugherty advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. House Missouri District 2 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brandon Daugherty	100.0	311

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 311
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Smith in this election.

2022

See also: Missouri's 2nd Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Missouri District 2

Incumbent Ann Wagner defeated Trish Gunby and Bill Slantz in the general election for U.S. House Missouri District 2 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ann Wagner (R)	54.9	173,277
		Trish Gunby (D)	43.1	135,895
		Bill Slantz (L)	2.1	6,494

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 315,666
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Missouri District 2

Trish Gunby defeated Raymond Reed in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Missouri District 2 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Trish Gunby	85.2	50,457
		Raymond Reed	14.8	8,741

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 59,198
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Ben Samuels (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Missouri District 2

Incumbent Ann Wagner defeated Tony Salvatore, Wesley Smith, and Paul Berry in the Republican primary for U.S. House Missouri District 2 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ann Wagner	67.1	54,440
		Tony Salvatore	15.4	12,516
		Wesley Smith	9.0	7,317
		Paul Berry	8.5	6,888

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 81,161
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Bob Anders (R)

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for U.S. House Missouri District 2

Bill Slantz advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. House Missouri District 2 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Slantz	100.0	384

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 384
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Wesley Smith did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Wesley Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Smith's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Arnold, MO graduating from Fox High School in 2013. I Served in the US Army until medically retiring in 2020. I currently study Political Science and Legal Studies at AMU. Although I wished to continue service to my great nation, and accident cut my time short. I knew I was called to serve in a greater capacity. To assist those who don’t get the representation they deserve.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• 2nd Amendment Preservation
• Prisoner Rights Reestablishment
• Limit the power of the Federal government

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe we must limit the powers of the Federal government and return it to the people and the states. Fix regulations with mor regulations, is not the cure. I believe their should be no minimum wage, and companies should compete for employees. We must secure our borders, and end the political propaganda to create better tomorrow’s. For too long politicians have stolen power, and divide our country. We can not spell community without unity, and a community United is unbreakable. A community divided is a war zone.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My role model is my father. He’s an honest hardworking man and together with my wonderful mother. Taught us 6 kids the values of family and country. They taught us hard work and dedication will bring prosperity.

As to politics I look up to quite a few. James Madison, the man that created our great nation. His dream and drive pulled everyone together for a greater cause. Others include Benjamin Franklin, Ronald Reagan, Josh Hawley, Martin Luther King, Donald Trump, and many others.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity, transparency and (most importantly) availability! That is why I give my personal number to all constituents.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Leadership, honesty, integrity, loyalty, personal courage, and determination.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To address individual needs of families in our community. To meet with business and come up with plans that benefit them and their employees. To be honest and upfront with their constituents.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy that America will be proud of, that my children and yours will grow up in a free country with equal opportunity for all. That they too can be proud and grateful to citizens.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

September 11, 2001 I was 6 years old and in 1st grade at Sherwood Elementary.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was at Concord Sand volleyball. It was located at the VFW on Lemay Ferry Road. I held that job for 1.5 years before joining the US Army.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Lions of Kandahar. It shows tremendous achievement in darkest times. Shows how great our military truely has become.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Captain America

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

JoJo Siwa kid in a candy store! Hahaha love my little girls

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Since my injury my struggles both mentally and physically make activities and hobbies I use to enjoy not feasible.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The institution that the Founders intended it to be a true balance of power between small and large states. However, congress has often forgot that it’s the people’s house and when I win in 2022 it will be returned.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Absolutely not! The continued stay in Washington has brought most of the issues our country is facing.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Simple Division and security.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I want to hold those in Washington accountable for their actions. To show the people that those in Washington are not above the law. With that said, I would love to be on the house judiciary committee, and the ethics committee

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I believe it’s the perfect time for house members. I will propose legislation to limit the terms to 3 2-year terms in the house, 2 6-year terms in the senate and 18 years total as a Federal elected official.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Josh Hawley. Matt Gaetz

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

A man I met with last week told me how he received a felony 36 years ago on a drug possession charge. He can now not own a firearm, for this crime. It’s a shame and must be addressed, once one has served their debt to society for non violent crimes that should receive their rights back in all forms including records sealed from online background checks, and not having to report their felony on job applications.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

One of the top priorities we must stop wasted spending and balance our budget.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Wesley Smith campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House Missouri District 2	Withdrew primary	$0	N/A**
2022	U.S. House Missouri District 2	Lost primary	$0	N/A**
Grand total			$0	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also

2024 Elections

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Candidate

U.S. House Missouri District 2

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Footnotes

[show]

Missouri's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Josh Hawley (R)

Eric Schmitt (R)

Representatives

District 1

Wesley Bell (D)

District 2

Ann Wagner (R)

District 3

Bob Onder (R)

District 4

Mark Alford (R)

District 5

Emanuel Cleaver (D)

District 6

Sam Graves (R)

District 7

Eric Burlison (R)

District 8

Jason Smith (R)

Republican Party (8)

Democratic Party (2)