Josh Smead

Josh Smead graduated from Harrisonburg High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from James Madison University in 2012 and a graduate degree from Iowa State University in 2016. His career experience includes working as an architect and general contractor.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Josh Smead, a father of four, licensed architect, and small business owner from Liberty, Missouri. My wife and I run a local architecture and development firm, and we’re raising our family with a deep commitment to building a better future. I’m not a career politician—I’m running for Congress to bring practical solutions and common sense to Washington. Rural North Missouri used to be more populated and economically vibrant; today, it needs revitalization. I believe in making rural America the best place to raise a family again, with strong infrastructure, thriving small towns, and opportunities that last for generations.

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?

Family

Everything I do is grounded in my role as a father of four. I believe Missouri should be the best place in the country to raise a family. That starts with safe communities, strong schools, affordable healthcare, and local economies that work for everyday people—not just the coasts or the corporations. When we put families first, we lay the foundation for a stronger, more united America.Liberty

As a small business owner and architect, I’ve seen firsthand how red tape and federal overreach can choke opportunity. Liberty means more than a slogan—it’s the right to build a life with dignity, to speak freely, work honestly, and live without government standing in your way. I’ll fight for term limits, defend the Constitution, and make sure Washington works for the people again.Future

North Missouri once thrived—more people, more energy, more opportunity. We can get there again, but it takes vision. That means revitalizing our rural towns, investing in modern infrastructure, and making sure our kids grow up with every chance to succeed. I’m running because we owe the next generation more than declining towns and broken promises—we owe them a future worth staying for.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m deeply passionate about public policies that secure a better future for the next generation while honoring the generations that built this country. As a father and a builder, I see both the promise ahead and the urgent need to care for those who came before us. We must ensure our children inherit a nation with strong schools, safe communities, and lasting opportunity—and that our seniors live with dignity, support, and respect.

As an architect, my personal expertise lies in buildings and infrastructure. From crumbling schools, roads, and bridges to outdated infrastructure, northern Missouri’s built environment needs more than patchwork fixes—it needs a generational investment in quality, sustainability, and resilience. The recent in

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

Integrity, Term Limits, and listening to the People.

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

If I set my mind to a task, I seek to achieve it.

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

The purpose of the House is to be the most responsive branch of government for the People!

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope some day when my children or (possible) future grand children ask what I did during this time of turmoil and uncertainty in our world, I will tell them running for Congress is how I tried to make the biggest impact. I want to leave the world a better place.

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

I was in 6th grade during 9/11, not a fun day at school!

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

My first job was at 15 working at a McDonalds.

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

If I Can Dream - Elvis Presley

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

No, the purpose of our Democracy is that it is run by the People. New voices, fresh perspectives, and a new generation of leaders are needed in Washington more now than perhaps ever before. The Constitution clearly states the age limits for running for office, which is 25 years old for the House (I was born in 1990).

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

Income Inequality, imperial hostile foreign powers, balancing the budget, natural disasters

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

Yes, but term limits are needed to prevent these long-term careers.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Term limits are necessary and long overdue. The House of Representatives is not a career path, we need responsive government that is in touch with the People.

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

I have been studying and have found a great deal of respect for the late Jerry Litton, former Representative from Missouri's 6th District. His method of bringing Democracy to the People through his town halls (many which can be seen now on YouTube) is incredibly inspiring, and I would like to believe we can all strive to achieve a similar level of dialogue and transparency with our government.

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?

When I first started getting organized with my campaign, one of the first people I heard from was a man who is a Veteran and had just been fired from his job at the VA. Literally a Veteran helping Veterans, and he was fired because the Trump administration decided to mass fire and cut services for the men and women who made the sacrifice to serve in the Military. I cannot understand why we are cutting jobs and services for Veterans, all to pay for a tax cut for the billionaires.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, it is often necessary for lasting policy.

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?

The overreaching Executive branch needs to be placed back in line with the language of the Constitution. We the People deserve a Representative who understands the importance of our Constitution and has loyalty to Country over political party.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

The House needs to be investigating clear unconstitutional violations of the Separation of Powers for our Three Co-Equal branches of Government. The purpose of investigating power in the House is not to tear down political foes, but to examine and shine light on important topics for the American people. A shining example of the House using bipartisan investigations to bring important issues to the American people is the January 6th Committee and their informative and successful hearings.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Highly important and always will be. Following a trail of money leads to a lot of important answers!

Campaign websiteSmead's campaign website stated the following:Agriculture & Rural CommunitiesMissouri farmers feed the world, but too many are being squeezed by rising costs and falling prices — not just for grain, but across the board.  From soybeans to hogs to dairy, it’s getting harder to break even, especially with trade policy flipping back and forth and key export programs stalled.  New technology can help, but only if farmers have the right to repair their own equipment and the infrastructure to compete. I believe in smart trade, not bailouts — and policies that put small and family-run farms first.  With the right support, rural America can thrive again.Energy & ResilienceNorth Missouri needs energy that’s reliable, affordable, and built for the long haul.  Projects like the Grain Belt Express offer exactly that — stable, low-cost power delivered to dozens of Missouri communities while strengthening our grid against blackouts and extreme weather.  We should be investing in infrastructure that keeps the lights on and the bills low, not blocking progress for short-term politics.  Long-term resilience means planning ahead — and saying yes to smart energy solutions.Postal ServiceThe U.S. Postal Service is a service — not a profit machine.  Just like we do not ask if the military turns a profit, we should not gut the Postal Service for failing to make one.  For decades, there has been a push to privatize it, which would slash rural delivery and abandon millions of Americans.  The Postal Service is part of our national identity — affordable, reliable mail should be protected, not sold off.Healthcare & MedicaidOne in five Missourians rely on Medicaid, yet Congress is pushing cuts that would gut rural care while offering trillions in tax breaks to the wealthy.  In parts of the 6th District, families already drive over an hour just to reach a delivery room — and some rural hospitals are on the brink of closing for good.  We need to strengthen Medicaid, not slash it, and invest in rural healthcare so families can grow and age in the communities they love.  Healthcare access shouldn’t depend on your ZIP code. A Woman's Right To ChooseMissourians deserve sovereignty over their own bodies — plain and simple.  But career politicians in Jefferson City and Washington, D.C. are working to overturn the clear will of the people.  Our current representative seems to think he knows better than the voters he’s supposed to serve.  I trust Missourians to make personal decisions for themselves — not the government.EnvironmentClimate change is real, and Missouri is already feeling it — hotter summers, more extreme winters, and stronger winds. Whether you believe in climate change or not, the reality on the ground calls for a smarter approach.  As a builder, I know it’s cheaper in the long run to build things right the first time.  The same goes for environmental policy: resilient communities start with long-term thinking, not short-term fixes.EconomicsTariffs have become a political tool, but too often it’s working families — not foreign governments — who pay the price. Today’s shoot-from-the-hip arbitrary tariffs and the growing trade war means American farmers and consumers keep getting caught in the crossfire. Meanwhile, household debt just hit a record $17.3 trillion, and billionaires still enjoy tax breaks and subsidies. It’s time Congress stopped protecting the powerful and started investing in the people.Economic Development In The 6th DistrictNorthern Missouri’s economy starts with agriculture, but our farmers are being squeezed by monopolies and rising costs. I’ll fight to protect family farms, expand access to markets, and support sustainable practices like soil health, water conservation, and ag-tech innovation. Investing in long-term stewardship of the land isn’t just good policy—it’s how we secure the future of farming for the next generation.Supporting Small BusinessesSmall businesses are the backbone of Northern Missouri’s economy, but too often they’re left behind while billion-dollar corporations get tax breaks and bailouts. I’ll fight to expand access to affordable healthcare, capital, and federal contracts for local businesses. It’s time we level the playing field and invest in the people actually building our communities.InfrastructureRural infrastructure has been neglected for too long—roads, bridges, water systems, and flood control need urgent investment.  I’ll fight for federal funding that reaches rural towns, not just urban centers, and supports the basics that families and small businesses rely on.  Infrastructure is how we grow local economies and protect communities for the long haul.Rural BroadbandHigh-speed internet is essential for farms, schools, small businesses, and healthcare in Northern Missouri. We need to fully fund rural broadband expansion and explore all options—from traditional fiber and cable to satellite and wireless solutions—so every home and town gets connected. This investment must prioritize unserved areas, not just pad profits for major telecoms.LGBTQ+ RightsEveryone deserves to live freely and equally — no exceptions. I believe in a government that protects rights, not one that polices personal lives. Who someone loves or how they identify is none of the government’s business, and it certainly shouldn’t be a political weapon. I will always stand for equal protection under the law, and against any attempt to use power to divide, discriminate, or interfere in people’s private lives.2nd AmendmentI support and appreciate the Second Amendment because it works to keep tyrants at bay. However, guns are now the leading cause of death for children in Missouri — that’s not politics, that’s reality. Public safety should be a basic right, and we can protect it without trampling anyone’s Second Amendment freedoms. That means requiring background checks on gun sales, encouraging safe storage, and documenting gun transactions. We document car sales and house sales – it just makes sense to keep a basic record when a deadly weapon changes hands. Responsible gun ownership is part of our culture — and common sense reforms help keep it that way.The DraftI believe the Draft should include all able bodied Men & Women.UnionsUnions built the backbone of America’s middle class — they gave us weekends, child labor laws, the 40-hour workweek, and workplace safety standards. I’m proudly pro-union because workers deserve a real voice, fair wages, and the freedom to organize without interference. Today, federal actions are chipping away at labor rights, gutting contracts, and making it harder for workers — including federal employees — to unionize.At the same time, unstable tariff policy is hitting trades and small contractors hard, driving up material costs in the middle of projects and threatening their ability to stay profitable. If we’re serious about rebuilding American industry and protecting working families, we need to strengthen unions — not undercut them.January 6, 2021On January 6, 2021 slates of fake electors were forged in an attempt to overthrow the Federal government and hand the 2020 election to Donald Trump. Sam Graves assisted in the scheme by voting against certifying the election, he voted against impeaching Trump over the failed insurrection, and he voted against investigating the event.Term LimitsI support term limits for politicians. I am an architect, and being a politician is not what I plan to do for the rest of my career. Career politicians who spend decades in office become detached from the reality the rest of us face every day.— Josh Smead's campaign website (July 20, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.