Missi Hesketh

Missi Hesketh was born in Elmhurst, Illinois. She earned a high school diploma from Forsyth High School, a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Missouri, St. Louis in 2004, a graduate degree from Drury University in 2018, and an Ed.S. from Missouri State University in 2023. Her career experience includes working as an educator. She has also worked in floral, food service, business, and finance. Hesketh has been affiliated with MSTA, the Democratic Party, and Phi Beta Kappa.[1][2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born outside of Chicago on the opposite end of 1971 from my sister. Our dad is a Vietnam veteran and that kind of set the tone for rather tumultuous formative years. The experiences helped instill a tenacity that I exhibit in my will to make life better for those I serve.

I moved to Forsyth, MO with my family in 1983. I worked two jobs in HS while participating in extracurriculars. After graduating from FHS in 1990, I flunked out of Mizzou in one quick semester and entered the school of life. I worked in food service, clerical, and finance before a forced transition post-9/11 steered me toward education. I earned my A.A. -Business Administration, B.S. - Elementary Education, M.A. - Gifted Education, & Ed.S. - Special Education & Assessment. I am a mom to three wonderful humans. Sophia is in college for nursing and Leo is working toward video editing. Cole will graduate FHS in 2026. I understand the hard work that goes into being a single-parent while working full-time. I want to ensure folks have access to all of the resources that make them feel supported.

I served the people of Forsyth as alderwoman and mayor. We focused on recreation and ecotourism, improving communications and transparency, and cleaning up decades of lack of nuisance and dangerous buildings enforcement. Too often we hear "somebody should" or "they need to do something," and I'm grateful to have been in a position to work toward getting things done.

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?

We need to end the division in this country by setting an example at the highest levels. It is beyond time to return decency and decorum to Congress, and with that comes transparency, honesty, integrity, and doing the actual work. The 118th Congress underperformed any Congress prior. The 119th, with its historic shutdown, has done nothing for the people. The Missouri 7th has received nothing from the current Representative in the form of investment dollars that might actually make a difference in lives here. We deserve representation that yields results through hard work, negotiation, and compromise.I understand that as an elected Representative, I am accountable to my constituents. I plan to represent ALL who live in the 7th, not just those in my party. That's not how it works. We may not always agree on every issue, but I will still hold public town halls to hear from the people I represent.I will always put people over party and do the right thing regardless of party line. The people of SWMO strongly condemn pedophiles, yet Congressman Burlison turned down the opportunity of being the 218th signature needed to release the files because doing so would have "stabbed his party in the eye." He would have stood to lose committee seats, I'm sure. I could care less about committee seats when it comes to holding people accountable for harming children.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Our healthcare system is broken. We need caps on services, prescriptions, and premiums.

We need to ensure Social Security stays solvent so that our parents and grandparents don't face cuts in benefits in the coming years and so that we don't have to work until we are dead.

We need to codify Roe and give women and their partners the autonomy they need and deserve.

We need to protect our water, air, and soil - there is no planet B. The health of our resources is the health of us, and in SWMO, it is also the health of our ecotourism and farming industries.

We need to ensure public education is preserved, as well as the right to unionize.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to those who have lived their lives focused on being in service to others and those who live lives of integrity. John Lewis comes to mind as an individual who came up through adversity and never ceased in trying to make the path for others less obstructed.

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

Elected officials must lead by example when it comes to professionalism. Professionalism encompasses so many characteristics that are needed in order to be successful leaders: hardworking, honest, compassionate, fair, discerning, and able to communicate effectively with others. We are witnessing entirely too many elected officials doing anything but the job for which they were sent to D.C. or their State House to tackle, instead they just continue to muddy the waters and drive division. Sometimes they tell half-truths and other times bold-faced lies. We are seeing entirely too many pieces of legislation that will perpetuate the cycles of poverty and violence that keep many families from attaining a better standard of living. And too many representatives are showing poor judgment in being dead set on being partisan. It is imperative in these turbulent times that we elect representatives who are willing to listen to the needs and wants of their constituents and who will have the hard discussions with their peers to find some form of compromise to get change started.

Elected officials have to be strong multitaskers with tenacious follow-through.

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

The core responsibility for a member of Congress is to legislate in a manner that serves the best interests of their constituents and the nation while not discriminating against any group and still being a good steward of taxpayer dollars. This means that the individual in the office must be willing to listen to her constituents prior to being elected to find out what her focus should be once in office. This means fielding calls from constituents while in office when new concerns within the district arise. This means working with members of Congress to secure funding to help tackle those issues back home. It is also vital that members of Congress communicate effectively with their constituents on how the process of addressing their primary concerns is proceeding. We should all be familiar with the fact by now that change takes time, that there is a lengthy bureaucratic process to get anything accomplished. Staying in communication and providing honest, detailed accounts of where the process is assures the people being represented that they put the right person in office. It lends to a positive impression of Congress and in the process, which is just one more cog in helping people feel supported.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Improvements. Improvements in communities. Improvements in the lives of my constituents and their quality of life. Improvements to protections of our natural resources. Improvements in the securities of our personal rights, our voting rights, and social security.

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

I remember witnessing Mt. St. Helens erupt when I was eight years old. The news coverage of all of the ash was intense.

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

My very first job was a paper route that I had when I was about 10 years old. I think I did it for a couple of years until we moved.

What is your favorite book? Why?

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith is one of my favorites. I appreciate greatly the underlying message of education being the pathway out of poverty.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Jean Louise "Scout" Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee because I admire how Atticus held her on his lap and read to her.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

It has been difficult being a Democratic in a widely Republican district. But it hasn't stopped me from rolling up my sleeves, getting elected to two local offices, and making a difference in my community. Folks see that. Understanding how my Republican friends and neighbors can see the actual work that we accomplished at the city level yet who still have great reservations in supporting this run for Congress - refusing to put country over party - that is difficult to contend with.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

I don't find the U.S. House of Representatives to be unique, per se. It is not all that dissimilar from any other Board or form of legislature. Typically, majority rules. There are rules. Processes. If I had to identify something that makes the House stand out from other legislative bodies it's that they have the ability to shutdown the entire government when they lack the leadership ability to negotiate, leaving millions of Americans without paychecks for weeks or months at a time.

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

I do, to a degree, believe having prior previous experience in government or politics can be beneficial. I know reading through ordinances, drafting agendas, working through budgets, and even evaluating employees will all make me better prepared for Congress. At the same time, I have faith that there are educated individuals, experienced individuals capable of learning the ropes quickly enough so as not to impede progress.

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

The fabric of our nation has been marred recently by the fight for power versus the fight for our Republic and our democratic processes. It is going to take some time with effective, honest, non-compromised individuals leading the charge and consistently and openly communicating how legislation will impact them and how the processes are going in order to bring back some faith in our government.

Additionally, there is the matter of the federal budget and how untenable our spending is. That is why we invest in communities, why we work to bring those investments to our communities, so that we provide opportunities for folks to become self-sufficient and free up some of those funds. Untenable spending is also why we look at areas to "cut the fat." Families struggling financially know all too well how we have to start at home to see where savings can be made. Every department could find areas where money is wasted.

We are also going to have to continue working toward being prepared for the damage that will come from increased natural disasters and help communities in the most at-risk areas with their efforts. That is going to require a financial investment, too, but without it we lose lives and real estate. The challenge of getting more buy-in on green energy is lessening, but not fast enough to reverse the course of higher intensity storms and fires.

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

A two-year term makes it difficult for a freshman member of Congress to achieve the learning curve needed before being thrown back into the next election cycle one year later. At the same time, if an elected official says one thing to get elected and then performs wholly differently while in office, it is better to be able to vote him out sooner, rather than later.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I do feel there should be term limits in Congress. An individual in the House should be able to make sufficient strides in eight years, much like a Senator should be able to do so in the same amount of time. I also feel strongly that Supreme Court nominees should also be subject to term limits, maybe 16 years.

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

Congressman Jeff Jackson from North Carolina's 14th did any amazing job of communicating and working for his constituents.

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?

I was speaking at an event back in 2024, just introducing myself really. When the floor was opened for questions, a gentleman said, "We have 500 homeless veterans in this state. What are you gonna do about it?" I didn't have an answer. There are many issues facing the district in which I am running and all across the nation for which I don't have answers. So, this interaction was impactful because it made me immediately be transparent in that fact - that I don't have all of the answers, nor will I pretend to. But I can assure them that I will work toward a solution and they will hold me accountable to that promise.

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

I know that compromise is necessary for policymaking. The partisanship running rampant in Congress has shown us how that results in getting little to nothing done for those whom we represent. The 2025 government shutdown is evidence of that! It is absolutely necessary to be able to work with others.

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?

I don't think we should use the word "power" when it comes to talking about elected positions. My priorities in legislation and raising revenue will always circle back to being a good steward of taxpayer dollars while focusing on efficiency and lifting people out of poverty so that they become self-sufficient.

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

Too many members of Congress have aligned themselves and been empowered by investigative powers. I have seen prosecuting attorneys not take cases for insufficient evidence. Perhaps some of those in Congress pushing for continuous investigations should consult with some of their constituents back home to get some guidance in that arena. When there is sufficient evidence of real crimes obviously there should be some sort of investigation. But maybe if a member of Congress initiates an investigation and it comes out insufficient, he shouldn't be able to sit on that committee anymore. Perhaps that might cause members of Congress to be more discerning in what they choose to investigate. That being said, they should also not be allowed to NOT investigate widely known issues because they want to protect people in power.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Carryovers of 2024 endorsements are pending for the 2026 campaign.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

I was speaking at an event back in 2024, just introducing myself really. When the floor was opened for questions, a gentleman said, "We have 500 homeless veterans in this state. What are you gonna do about it?" I didn't have an answer. There are many issues facing the district in which I am running and all across the nation for which I don't have answers. So, this interaction was impactful because it made me immediately be transparent in that fact - that I don't have all of the answers, nor will I pretend to. But I can assure them that I will work toward a solution and they will hold me accountable to that promise.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

I am most proud of having raised three truly good humans.

What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?

It is not the role of government to develop AI. It is the role of government to ensure the safety and security of the United States and her citizens. This includes the security of jobs for our workers. If AI is taking American jobs, then the government will either be charged with assisting those unable to find work or bringing in new jobs.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?

I want to believe that we have free and fair elections in this country. We do need to ensure, at all costs, that there is no hacking into polling machines. I believe strongly in continuing absentee voting and mail-in ballots for those unable to participate on election day.

Campaign websiteHesketh's campaign website stated the following:#1 Affordability for AllClose Tax Loopholes to End Billionaire Welfare. Fund and protect Social Security. Paid Family and Medical Leave. Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores. Ban Junk Fees.#2 Protect our Kids' FutureInvest in rural education and workforce training. Fair Elections and Ending Gerrymandering. Comprehensive Data Privacy for Children. Safe gun ownership. Raise Teacher Pay.#3 Make Healthcare WorkMedicare for all who want it. Veterans' Healthcare Access. Rural hospital stabilization. Politicians out of your Doctor's Office. Medicare Drug Price Negotiation.#4 Support Our Farmers and Natural ResourcesRight-to-repair. Protect U.S. farmland from foreign adversaries. Oppose AI Data Centers. Crop Insurance Reform.#5 Bring Accountability Back to Our GovernmentRelease the Epstein files. Ban Congressional Stock Trading. Audit the Pentagon. Lifetime lobbying ban for members of Congress. Ban dark money, end Citizens United. Congressional term limits.— Missi Hesketh's campaign website (July 22, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born outside of Chicago on the opposite end of 1971 from my sister. Our dad is a Vietnam veteran and that kind of set the tone for rather tumultuous formative years. But the experiences helped instill a tenacity in me that I exhibit in my will to make life better for those I serve.

I moved to Forsyth, MO with my family in 1983. I worked two jobs in HS while participating in extracurriculars and maintaining Honor Roll. After graduating from FHS in 1990, I flunked out of Mizzou in one quick semester and entered the school of life. I worked in food service, clerical, and then finance before a forced transition post-9/11 steered me toward education. I have earned my A.A. -Business Administration, B.S. - Elementary Education, M.A. - Gifted Education, & Ed.S. - Special Education & Assessment.

I am a mom to three wonderful humans. Sophia is in college for nursing and Leo is working toward video editing. Cole is set to graduate FHS in 2026. I understand the hard work that goes into being a single-parent while working full-time and also being a public servant. I want to ensure folks have access to all of the resources that make them feel supported.

I am also the mayor of Forsyth. This is my seventh year of public service having also served on city council. Too often we hear "somebody should" or "they need to do something," and I'm grateful to be in a position to work toward getting things done.

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?

We need to end the division in this country by setting an example at the highest levels. It is beyond time to return decency and decorum to Congress, and with that comes transparency, honesty, integrity, and doing the actual work. The 118th Congress has underperformed any Congress ever. The Missouri 7th has received nothing from the current Representative in the form of investment dollars that might actually make a difference in lives here. We deserve representation that yields results through hard work, negotiation, and compromise.It is time to focus on issues that enhance lives in our district and stop fighting the same values issues that career politicians bring up every cycle in order to fire up their base. Abortion access, reproductive freedom, family planning, birth control - enough! We need to codify Roe and be done with the issue.. Republicans want smaller government yet want to control every aspect of womens lives. I am pro-choice. The current Representative is pro-life and would support a national abortion ban. He says he is pro-life yet when those who are forced to give birth due to rape, or unable to terminate an unplanned pregnancy, where is the support? We have no right making these very difficult decisions for others.We need leaders willing to do the work to protect us and our way of life. This means protecting our natural resources and not cowtowing to donors to lift environmental protections. This means electing leaders who are not put into office via PACs and special interests. This means electing leaders not owned by the NRA who will finally get some common sense gun laws in place to stop the killing of innocents at schools, stores, parades, churches. No one is coming for your guns, we just want to make sure you lock your piece up so the five-year-old doesn't get accidentally shot by the six-year-old, or that the individual in mental distress can't obtain an AR-15 and an hour later show up at a school. Leaders need to protect their people.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Rural MO has been left behind for too long. We need investments in infrastructure and new job opportunities that will help lift the 15% of our people out of poverty and self-sufficient.

We need to ensure Social Security stays solvent so that our parents and grandparents don't face cuts in benefits in the coming years and so that we don't have to work until we are dead.

We need to codify Roe and give women and their partners the autonomy they need and deserve.

We need to protect our water, air, and soil - there is no planet B. The health of our resources is the health of us, and in SWMO, it is also the health of our ecotourism industry.

We need to ensure public education is preserved, as well as the right to unionize.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to those who have lived their lives focused on being in service to others and those who live lives of integrity. John Lewis comes to mind as an individual who came up through adversity and never ceased in trying to make the path for others less obstructed.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D.

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

Elected officials must lead by example when it comes to professionalism. Professionalism encompasses so many characteristics that are needed in order to be successful leaders: hardworking, honest, compassionate, fair, discerning, and able to communicate effectively with others. We are witnessing entirely too many elected officials doing anything but the job for which they were sent to D.C. or their State House to tackle, instead they just continue to muddy the waters and drive division. Sometimes they tell half-truths and other times bold-faced lies. We are seeing entirely too many pieces of legislation that will perpetuate the cycles of poverty and violence that keep many families from attaining a better standard of living. And too many representatives are showing poor judgment in being dead set on being partisan. It is imperative in these turbulent times that we elect representatives who are willing to listen to the needs and wants of their constituents and who will have the hard discussions with their peers to find some form of compromise to get change started.

Elected officials have to be strong multitaskers with tenacious follow-through.

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

I am hardworking and results-oriented. I am honest, choosing to tell the whole truth over half-truths. I am not running for Congress to become a career politician or to get rich. I do not trade stocks, nor will I while in office. My sole intent is to bring integrity back to the district and results back to a widely rural area that has been forgotten for far too long.

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

The core responsibilities for a member of Congress is to legislate in a manner that serves the best interests of their constituents and the nation while not discriminating against any group. This means that the individual in the office must be willing to listen to her constituents prior to being elected to find out what her focus will be once in office. This means fielding calls from constituents while in office when new concerns within the district arise. This means working with members of Congress to secure funding to help tackle those issues back home. It is also vital that members of Congress communicate effectively with their constituents on how the process of addressing their primary concerns is proceeding. We should all be familiar with the fact by now that change takes time, that there is a lengthy bureaucratic process to get anything accomplished. Staying in communication and providing honest, detailed accounts of where the process is assures the people being represented that they put the right person in office. It lends to a positive impression of Congress and in the process, which is just one more cog in helping people feel supported.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Improvements. Improvements in communities. Improvements in the lives of my constituents. Improvements to protections of our natural resources. Improvements in the securities of our personal rights, our voting rights, and social security.

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

I remember witnessing Mt. St. Helens erupt when I was eight years old. The news coverage of all of the ash was intense.

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

My very first job was a paper route that I had when I was 10 years old. I think I did it for a couple of years until we moved.

What is your favorite book? Why?

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith is one of my favorites. I appreciate greatly the underlying message of education being the pathway out of poverty.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Jean Louise "Scott" Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee because I admire how Atticus held her on his lap and read to her.

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

"On the Sunny Side of the Street" by Willie Nelson

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

It has been difficult being a Democratic in a widely Republican district. But it hasn't stopped me from rolling up my sleeves, getting elected to two local offices, and making a difference in my community. Folks see that. Understanding how my Republican friends and neighbors can see the actual work that we are getting done at the city level yet who still have great reservations in supporting this run for Congress - refusing to put country over party - that is difficult to contend with.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The U.S. House of Representatives is an outlier in the number of constituents each member represents.

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

I do, to a degree, believe prior experience can be beneficial. I know reading through ordinances, drafting agendas, working through budgets, and even evaluating employees will all make me better prepared for Congress. At the same time, I have faith that there are educated individuals, experienced individuals capable of learning the ropes quickly enough so as not to impede progress.

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

The fabric of our nation has been marred recently with the fight for power versus the fight for our Republic and our democratic processes. It is going to take some time with effective, honest, non-compromised individuals leading the charge and consistently and openly communicating how legislation will impact them and how the processes are going in order to bring back some faith in our government.

Additionally, there is the matter of the federal budget and how untenable our spending is. That is why we invest in communities, why we work to bring those investments to our communities, so that we provide the opportunities for folks to become self-sufficient and free up some of those funds. Untenable spending is also why we look at areas to "cut the fat." Families struggling financially know all too well how we