Katelyn Zach

Katelyn Zach (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Missouri House of Representatives to represent District 133. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. She advanced from the Democratic primary on August 4, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Katelyn Zach is a committed Springfield resident, community advocate, and candidate for Missouri House District 133.

She originally grew up in Kansas and later moved to Springfield for college, where she earned a degree in Political Science from Drury University. While in school, she worked at a local nonprofit focused on helping families achieve financial stability and promoting homeownership in North Springfield. Through that experience, she witnessed firsthand the difficult choices many families face between basic necessities like housing and food.

Katelyn currently serves as a case manager for a nonprofit organization in Springfield. In this role, she works directly with individuals experiencing homelessness, helping them access stable housing, supportive services, and resources to rebuild their lives. Her day-to-day work has given her a deep understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable residents and strengthened her commitment to building stronger, more supportive communities.

She is running for State Representative to address these challenges, guided by a belief in common-sense solutions over partisan politics and a commitment to a government that works for all residents, not just a select few.

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?

Springfield is facing a housing crisis affecting families across the community. Rising rents and stagnant wages are making it harder for young people, working families, and seniors on fixed incomes to find and keep safe, stable housing. As costs increase, more residents are being priced out of the communities where they live and work. Affordable housing is both a family and economic issue, impacting community stability and workforce strength. The campaign supports expanding state funding for affordable housing development, rehabilitating existing housing stock, strengthening tenant protections, encouraging responsible development, and expanding rental assistance programs to help families maintain stability during financial hardship.Public education is the foundation of opportunity in Springfield and across Missouri. Every child deserves access to a fully funded public school with qualified teachers, safe classrooms, and the resources to succeed. Years of underfunding from Jefferson City and shifts toward voucher programs have strained public schools, leading to larger class sizes, teacher shortages, and fewer resources for students. The campaign supports fully funding K–12 public schools, increasing teacher pay, and ensuring students have the tools they need to learn. It also supports expanding access to affordable higher education and vocational training to strengthen Missouri’s future workforce.Affordable healthcare is a growing concern for families in Springfield and across Missouri. Many residents are forced to choose between doctor visits, prescriptions, and basic expenses as costs rise while wages remain flat. Hospital closures and limited access to care, especially in rural areas, have made timely treatment harder to access. Healthcare is essential not only for treatment, but also for prevention, stability, and financial security. The campaign supports protecting and strengthening Medicaid expansion, increasing funding for community health clinics, expanding mental health and substance use services, and addressing the high cost of prescription drugs to ensure care is accessible and affordable.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Katelyn Zach’s policy priorities center on expanding access to basic needs and strengthening support systems for working families in Missouri. She focuses on addressing the housing crisis by expanding affordable housing, supporting tenant protections, and reducing homelessness. She also prioritizes affordable healthcare, including protecting Medicaid expansion, strengthening community health clinics, expanding mental health services, and lowering prescription drug costs. In education, she supports fully funding public K–12 schools, increasing teacher pay, and expanding access to affordable higher education and workforce training. Across all areas, her emphasis is on improving economic stability and opportunity for Missouri families.