Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver has successfully secured his reelection for a House seat representing Missouri, as of Tuesday. Cleaver triumphed over Republican candidate Sean Smith, thereby earning his 11th consecutive term in the predominantly Democratic 5th District, situated in the Kansas City region.

Known for his deep roots in the community, Cleaver is a Methodist minister and was instrumental in establishing a chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization dedicated to civil rights advocacy. He has previously held the position of mayor of Kansas City and was a key figure in the passage of a legislation in 2021 that aimed to allow college athletes to receive payment for the use of their name, images, and likenesses.

On the other hand, Sean Smith, Cleaver’s opponent, has experience serving a two-year term on the Jackson County Legislature. The election was closely monitored, and the announcement of Cleaver’s victory came at 10:56 p.m. EST, confirming his continued influence and leadership in the district.