Christopher Reichard

Christopher Reichard served in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2012. Reichard earned a high school diploma from Northwest High School. Reichard's career experience includes working as a communications specialist.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Chris Reichard was born in small town Tennessee, and raised in the Greater-St. Louis region of Missouri. With humble roots that straddled lower and middle economic hurdles, he joined the work force at 16 aiming to improve his life.

At 18 he shipped off for the Army where he served three tours in Iraq over his 8+ years of service. Afterword, he continued to build upon what he had learned in the Army by joining the construction field: first in Houston, TX where he worked a non-union position in the Telecommunications construction field, then a few years later the opportunity arose for him to return home and join IBEW Local 1. It was there that he truly experienced the significance unions have in uplifting the working class and achieving affordability in an increasingly unaffordable world.

Now, he is stepping up to serve his state and his country once again. From his staunch belief in diplomacy first, to strengthening the working class, his work aims to bridge party lines and improve the lives for all Americans.

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?

Chris’s primary goal is to strengthen the working class by removing restrictions that have held back unions since 1947. When unions are stronger, every American worker benefits.Chris’s secondary goal is to restore departments and programs that were cut that have harmed American families, farms, and futures. This includes re-establishing healthy trade policies within the global market.Chris strives to protect and defend the Constitution. As such, he aims to re-establish and reinforce the checks and balances of the three co-equal branches of government.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Military, veteran and worker’s rights policies are his passion.

Campaign websiteReichard's campaign website stated the following:IssuesProgressive yet pragmatic, Chris stands ready to fight for the people--from medical reform to veteran benefits, workers' rights to Constitutional rights, Chris has your six.Support Working FamiliesThe working class is falling behind, and MO-08—Missouri's poorest and most rural district—is feeling the pressure hardest. Families here can't afford more costs piled on top of farming challenges, healthcare accessibility or outdated infrastructure. As your representative, from Day 1 I'll fight to turn that around:Back pro-labor bills like the PRO Act to protect lower- and middle-class families by strengthening worker rights against employers, banning union-busting tactics, and ensuring fair bargaining for better pay and safer conditions.Address trade, tariffs, and cuts from DOGE and the 'Big, Beautiful Bill': Recent shake-ups have backfired in our rural district. Tariffs and soured trade deals added ~$2,400/yr to average family costs (up to $4,000+ for farming families hit by export losses and higher inputs). Add impacts from DOGE workforce slashes and the 'Big Beautiful Bill' provisions, and families face another ~$1,500/year in higher utilities, health, and food costs. We need fair trade that protects American workers, small businesses and farmers—not policies that hurt them.Secure affordable healthcare access—so when emergencies strike, help is there, not hours away or out of reach due to closures and gaps in rural care—whether it's Medicare-For-All or Medicaid support in the fight to keep rural facilities open.Don't let labels like "progressive" divide us. Progressive issues are working-class issues: stronger unions, lower family costs, and politicians who put people first.Defend our Constitutional, Civil and Labor RightsDocumented abuses of our freedoms are growing at a rapid pace, while power consolidates unchecked. In Missouri's 8th District, where rural families value hard work, independence, and constitutional rights, we must fight back. As your representative, Chris will:Restore and reinforce checks and balances among our three co-equal branches of government. This is not a land for authoritarians or kings—power must answer to the people.Hold those in power accountable for trampling rights. No one is above the law—whether in Washington or local agencies.Push to de-fund and abolish ICE. Immigration reform may be needed, but the brutal tactics performed by ICE are inexcusable. We deserve an enforcement system that respects rights and follows due process.Support women's rights to bodily autonomy. Decisions about women's rights to reproductive health and family belong to women, their doctors, and their families—not politicians in Washington. This includes access to safe abortion care.End Citizens United. Our government is meant to be by the people, for the people. Getting dark money controlled by the millionaires and billionaires, foreign interests groups and corporations will put us back on that path!Stand Up For Our Veterans Our veterans served for us—and now their benefits are under attack. In Missouri's 8th District, where too many rural veterans wait too long for care, we can't let that stand. As a disabled Iraq War veteran, I know the sacrifice firsthand. Pending legislation and actions deserve full support to deliver what was promised:The Major Richard Star Act — Ensuring combat-injured veterans receive both their earned military retirement and VA disability benefits, without offsets that force impossible choices after great sacrifice.The Full Cost of War Act — Requiring Congress to authorize VA funding for veterans' care before any declaration of war or use of military force—because we must account for the human and financial toll upfront.Restoring cut VA positions — Reversing reductions in an already overworked, understaffed VA system so veterans get the timely, quality care they deserve—not longer wait times or backlogs.*As a product of forever wars, I support diplomacy first and foremost.— Christopher Reichard's campaign website (July 22, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.