State Senator - District 6
August 4, 2026 · State Senate District 6; Missouri · State senate district · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Average · 40 out of 100
This district is mid-sized for its type, so each vote carries average weight. About 182,947 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(190,242 ÷ 182,947) ÷ ln(190,242 ÷ 172,690) = 40.39, comparing state senate districts in MO (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Average representation + unknown decisiveness → Average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
State Senator is responsible for:
- Voting on state laws and the state budget
- Representing their district in the state senate
- Confirming certain governor appointments in many states
- Helping district residents deal with state agencies
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Reduce Wealth Gap, Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Education Quality, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Election Integrity, Personal Income Tax Reduction, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Amber Buckles
Republican · declared
Amber Buckles is a Macks Creek small-business owner and political newcomer. She spent much of her career overseeing diesel mechanic shops before opening 1776 Bar and Grill.
Derrick Spicer
Republican · declared
Derrick Spicer is a sales director and former Jefferson City Ward 4 council member. He served on the council from 2021 through April 2025 and also works in collegiate softball operations.
Records: Civil Rights 1 against
Ike Skelton
Republican · declared
Ike Skelton is the presiding commissioner of Camden County and is nearing the end of his first term. He is also a small-business owner in the Lake of the Ozarks area.
Records: Data Privacy 2 for, Gun Control 1 against, Public Infrastructure 1 for
Jake Vogel
Republican · declared
Jake Vogel is president of Jefferson City Coca-Cola Bottling Company and a former U.S. Army Ranger. His community work includes the Jefferson City Public School Foundation and the SSM Health board.
Records: Personal Income Tax Reduction 1 for
J. Don Salcedo
Democratic · declared
J. Don Salcedo is a retired educator from Jefferson City who spent about 40 years in education. He was the Democratic nominee for Missouri House District 60 in 2022 and previously ran for the Jefferson City school board.
Records: Personal Income Tax Reduction 1 against, Public Education Quality 1 for
Lisa Thomas
Republican · declared
Lisa Thomas is a psychiatrist and former Missouri state representative. She represented House districts 124 and 123 from 2021 through January 2025 and works as medical director of the Missouri Physicians Health Program.
Rudy Veit
Republican · declared
Rudy Veit represents Missouri House District 59 and has served in the House since 2019. He is also a practicing attorney and previously served on the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission.
Records: Government Efficiency 1 for, Personal Income Tax Reduction 1 against
Election sources
Source: s1.sos.mo.gov