2016

rated the race for Missouri's U.S. Senate seat as a battleground, in part, because of the Democratic Party's effort to turn a state that leaned Republican into Democratic territory. However, incumbent Roy Blunt (R) won re-election, defeating Jason Kander (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Blunt also defeated Jonathan Dine (L), Fred Ryman (Constitution Party), Johnathan McFarland (G), and write-in candidates Gina Bufe and Patrick Lee.

Kander's strategy was to run as a political outsider and try to paint Blunt as a Washington insider. According to The Kansas City Star, “Kander labels Blunt the 'consummate Washington insider' and insists Blunt has lost touch with voters who sent him to the Capitol. Kander further contends that Blunt is far too cozy with lobbyists and is in fact married to one while three of his children are lobbyists.” In response, Blunt tried to tie Kander to "Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama, both of whom are unpopular in the state.”

Satellite groups also sought to influence the race by spending $44,961,510. In the last weeks of the race, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee planned to spend $3.5 million to support Kander's bid to unseat Blunt. Republicans also spent money on the race to protect Blunt's seat and their majority in the Senate. The Senate Leadership Fund invested $2.5 million in Missouri in September.

In his concession speech, Kander encouraged his supporters, especially his young supporters, to stay involved in politics despite the results. He said, "They need to know that I'm not OK with them stepping away, that this country is a place you've got to stay invested in. This generation is not going anywhere."

In his victory speech, Blunt said, "What a great moment for our state." Blunt, who distanced himself from Trump during the campaign, was optimistic about Republican control of the presidency and Congress. He said, "A Republican president and a Republican Senate and a Republican House can do things to change this country and focus again on opportunity."

U.S. Senate, Missouri General Election, 2016

Party	Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Republican	Roy Blunt Incumbent	49.2%	1,378,458
Democratic	Jason Kander	46.4%	1,300,200
Libertarian	Jonathan Dine	2.4%	67,738
Green	Johnathan McFarland	1.1%	30,743
Constitution	Fred Ryman	0.9%	25,407
N/A	Write-in	0%	95
Total Votes			2,802,641
Source: Missouri Secretary of State

U.S. Senate, Missouri Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Jason Kander	69.9%	223,492
Cori Bush	13.3%	42,453
Chief Wana Dubie	9.5%	30,432
Robert Mack	7.3%	23,509
Total Votes		319,886
Source: Missouri Secretary of State

U.S. Senate, Missouri Republican Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Roy Blunt	72.6%	481,444
Kristi Nichols	20.2%	134,025
Ryan Luethy	4.4%	29,328
Bernie Mowinski	2.8%	18,789
Total Votes		663,586
Source: Missouri Secretary of State

Campaign themes