Democrats look to flip Missouri’s 3rd District as Republican challenger targets Onder’s voting record
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Two Democrats and a Republican are looking to unseat Rep. Bob Onder in Missouri’s Third Congressional District.
The district covers parts of 16 counties, including the southern half of Boone County, along with Callaway, Audrain, Montgomery and Monroe counties
Incumbent Onder faces a Republican primary challenge from John Fraser of Columbia. On the Democratic side, Tommy Holstein of St. Charles and Bethany Mann, the party's 2024 nominee, are seeking the nomination.
Paul Wilson's name will also appear on the Democratic primary ballot. However, Wilson told ABC 17 News on July 14 that he had suspended his campaign but was unable to have his name removed because ballots had already been finalized for printing.
Both Democrats face an uphill battle in Missouri's Third Congressional District, which has been held by Republicans since 2013. On the Republican side, Fraser is seeking to deny Onder a second term in Congress. Onder, who was first elected in 2024, has received endorsements from President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.
Mann and Holstein, however, told ABC 17 News they believe they can flip the district, while Fraser argues Onder's voting record leaves him vulnerable in the Republican primary.
ABC 17 News reached out to Onder multiple times, requesting an interview, but did not hear back.
Despite the district's Republican lean, both Democratic candidates say they see an opening by focusing on economic issues and appealing to voters beyond the party's traditional base.
Mann, an environmental chemist, argues that dissatisfaction with Republican leadership, combined with organizing efforts across the district, gives Democrats a chance to compete.
A new congressional map that reshapes the Democratic-safe Fifth District creates an opportunity in the Third District, Mann said.
“We have an opportunity to win this seat with the gerrymandering that has happened. Thanks to Bob's proposal, he has actually diluted his own support base,” Mann said. “That, combined with the national winds blowing politically, with people not liking their policies, and combined with the legendary organization that we have done here in Missouri and in Missouri's Third, we believe that we have the boots on the ground that we are going to be able to win this seat.”
Mann’s campaign is centered on lowering costs for working families through stronger labor protections, increased investment in public education and expanding access to health care. Mann also says future data center development should include more community input and oversight through an independent commission to establish guardrails for artificial intelligence and infrastructure projects.
"My biggest priority, it all comes down to the economy," Mann said. "Families want a strong economy that works for everybody and not just the wealthy few."
Holstein, a first-time candidate from St. Charles, is making a similar economic argument while trying to connect with voters across the political spectrum. Rather than emphasizing party labels, Holstein said he starts conversations by discussing shared concerns such as rising costs and government accountability.
"When I talk to people, I try not to lead with what party I represent," Holstein said. "I do my best to lead with my values and what I believe in and the things that I will fight for."
Holstein said that approach has resonated with voters from both parties and is why he believes Democrats have an opportunity to win a district many consider safely Republican.
"We have to be able to communicate across both sides of the aisle," he said. "We have to be able to talk to anybody no matter what party they represent."
His platform includes lowering the cost of living, expanding Medicare for All, investing in public education and regulating artificial intelligence and large technology companies while reducing the influence of wealthy donors in politics.
"I am sick of watching our government cater to the rich, the billionaires, the extremely wealthy in this country," Holstein said. "I want to pass Medicare for all. I want to invest in public education in our youth. I want to regulate AI and big tech and corruption in our politics."
Intraparty challenge
On the Republican side, Fraser is attempting to unseat an incumbent from within his own party by making Onder's voting record one of the centerpieces of his campaign.
Fraser, a certified public accountant with a master's degree in applied economics, said he entered the race after becoming frustrated with what he views as Onder's misplaced priorities in Washington.
“What it boils down to is I'm watching Onder’s voting record. When you look at his voting record, he does not have Missouri's interests in mind,” Fraser said. "Just last week he authored legislation to save his hobby airline buddies more money on their landing fees. So that's kind of his priorities. And then last year, he also authored legislation to rename the Kennedy Center. At the same time, all the tariffs were hurting farmers very badly.”
Fraser's campaign website also highlights votes related to federal spending, tariffs and missed votes in Congress. Another concern raised by Fraser was Onder’s stance on the Epstein Files.
“Two times in 2025, he could have released the Epstein files on July 15, 2025, and Dec. 2, 2025. That’s another key thing, I would have voted to release the Epstein files. We were one vote short in both those instances, and it could have been released then,” Fraser said. “He didn’t vote to release them until he was given permission to do so. I'm an independent thinker. I think that's what I would want people to know. I'm not going to let anybody tell me how to vote. I’m going to vote in the interest of Missouri’s Third District citizens.”
Although Onder has Trump's endorsement, Fraser believes Republican primary voters will ultimately focus on the congressman's record.
"When they look at his voting record, and they look at what I'm about, I'm about free trade. I'd never vote for a tariff," Fraser said. "I think that they will be convinced that John G. Fraser will be a better representative for them."
Fraser describes himself as a "Reagan conservative" whose priorities include reducing the federal deficit, opposing tariffs, limiting the size of the federal government and protecting local control. He has also proposed requiring local voter approval before large data center projects move forward and says those developments should fully cover the cost of any needed infrastructure.
Onder's campaign says his priorities include fighting illegal immigration, lowering taxes, protecting Second Amendment rights, supporting school choice, opposing what he describes as the "woke agenda" and securing elections.
Missouri's primary election is Aug. 4. The winners will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.
