2 candidates are tracked for Missouri House District 161 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Thomas Ross and Aaron Joseph Metzger. Candidate information follows official Jasper County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Republican nominee Thomas Ross withdrew from the race in early September 2026, and on September 5 the Jasper County Republican Central Committee selected Louise Secker as the replacement nominee and said it would work with election officials to place her on the November 3 ballot, per Newstalk KZRG; the Secretary of State's certified list still carries Ross, so this page lists him until the state confirms the substitution (re-verify). Thomas Ross (Republican), Aaron Joseph Metzger (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. Missouri has no runoffs; the August 4 primary winner of each party is the nominee, and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Missouri Secretary of State's certified general election candidate list (certified August 25, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.
This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.
Missouri › Jasper County › Missouri House District 161
Republican
Thomas Ross is the Republican nominee for Missouri House District 161 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Missouri Secretary of State's certified general election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Democratic
Per the campaign site.
Aaron Joseph Metzger is a healthcare worker who has spent 13 years working nights at a Joplin hospital, per the campaign site. He is running for Missouri State Representative in District 161, per the campaign site.
Who is running for Missouri House District 161 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Missouri House District 161 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Thomas Ross and Aaron Joseph Metzger. Candidate information follows official Jasper County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Missouri House District 161 election in Missouri?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Missouri are on the Missouri election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Jasper County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Jasper County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Missouri election office, or see the full Jasper County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
13 tracked races in Jasper County, Missouri. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.