Fred Wellman, a Democrat from Wildwood, is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Missouri's 2nd Congressional District. The election is Nov. 3. Ann Wagner (Republican) and Brandon Daugherty (Libertarian) are also on the ballot.

Wellman said he decided to run after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law in July 2025, according to the Leader. He announced his campaign on Oct. 1, 2025.

Candidate information

  • Age: 60
  • Residence: Wildwood, where he has lived with his fiancée, Heather, since 2023
  • Hometown: Kirkwood native; Kirkwood High School graduate
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in international relations, United States Military Academy (1987); master's degree in public administration, Harvard Kennedy School (2007)

Experience

Wellman, a disabled veteran, served 22 years in the Army, including four combat tours, according to his campaign website. He said he spent a decade as a veterans advocate in Washington, D.C. He served as executive director at The Lincoln Project, according to St. Louis Public Radio. He also founded ScoutComms, a communications firm he led from 2010 to 2020, and hosts the On Democracy Podcast, according to BallotReady.

On the issues

Positions below are from Wellman's campaign policy page and BallotReady questionnaire. They reflect the candidate's own statements.

Healthcare: Wellman said he supports restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies, reversing Medicaid cuts, lowering the Medicare eligibility age and creating a public option.

Veterans: Wellman said he would protect Department of Veterans Affairs health care from privatization, expand mental health resources and reverse the agency's staffing cuts.

Labor: Wellman said he supports raising the federal minimum wage, protecting union rights and ensuring equal pay and paid family leave.

Defense: Wellman said he would increase congressional oversight of the Department of Defense.

Endorsements

Listed on Wellman's endorsement page and BallotReady:

  • Sierra Club
  • Moms Demand Action
  • International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 13
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
  • Missouri AFL-CIO
  • AFL-CIO
  • Planned Parenthood Action Fund
  • End Citizens United
  • Serve America PAC
  • Abortion Action Missouri
  • J Street PAC
  • VoteVets
  • Democrats Work for America
  • Common Defense
  • Jason Kander, former Missouri secretary of state
  • U.S. Senator Chris Murphy
  • U.S. Senator Andy Kim

Candidate responses were gathered from Wellman's campaign website and BallotReady. The Chesterfield Valley Post did not interview the candidate for this profile.