Who is running for Missouri House, District 39 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Missouri House, District 39 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Missouri House District 39.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Mark MeirathRepublican | Tanya LakinsDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| Abortion | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestVoted · medium | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Said · low |
| Guns | Remove most restrictions; bearing arms is a rightVoted · medium | No public position |
| Election rules | Strict photo ID, paper ballots, cleaner voter rolls and fewer mail ballotsVoted · low | No public position |
| Gender care for minors | No, ban these treatments for minorsVoted · medium | No public position |
| Redistricting | State legislatures draw maps and may redraw any time, including for partisan advantageVoted · medium | No public position |
| Drug prices | No public position | Negotiate more drugs and extend the insulin and yearly cost caps to private insuranceSaid · low |
| Paid leave | No requirements; leave paid time off to employers and workersVoted · medium | No public position |
| DEI programs | Ban DEI offices and required training at public institutionsOfficial action · medium | No public position |
Mark Meirath
Republican · IncumbentMissouri state representative, District 39
Mark Meirath, a Republican from Excelsior Springs, was first elected to Missouri House District 39 in Clay County in 2024 and serves on the Elementary and Secondary Education, Intergovernmental Affairs and Utilities committees1. His House biography says he attended Northwest Missouri State University and William Jewell College and owns a construction company1. He faces Democrat Tanya Lakins on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot2.
Where they stand 8 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HJR 73 (2025), the proposed constitutional amendment (now Amendment 3 on the 2026 ballot) that repeals the 2024 reproductive freedom amendment and allows abortion only for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape or incest (House 103 to 51). (2025-04-17) source
Paid leaveNo requirements; leave paid time off to employers and workersmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 567 (2025), which repeals the paid sick leave requirements passed by voters in 2024 and ends the minimum wage cost-of-living adjustments (House 96 to 51). (2025-03-13) source
GunsRemove most restrictions; bearing arms is a rightmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 1175 (2025), the Second Amendment Preservation Act, which declares federal laws that infringe the Second Amendment invalid in Missouri (House 100 to 51). (2025-03-27) source
- Voted yes on HB 1730 (2026), which ends the state crime of possessing or selling a firearm suppressor (House 95 to 44). (2026-04-09) source
Gender care for minorsNo, ban these treatments for minorsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 2033 (2026), which removes the expiration date on the ban on gender transition drugs for people under 18 (House 102 to 40). (2026-02-12) source
RedistrictingState legislatures draw maps and may redraw any time, including for partisan advantagemedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 1 (2025 second extraordinary session), the new congressional map drawn in the middle of the decade (House 90 to 65). (2025-09-09) source
DEI programsBan DEI offices and required training at public institutionsmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Is the sponsor of HB 1998 (2026), which requires that educational institutions no longer use state funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, with repayment and funding suspension for violators. (2026) source
Election rulesStrict photo ID, paper ballots, cleaner voter rolls and fewer mail ballotslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted yes on HCR 48 (2026), a non-binding resolution commending the U.S. House for passing the SAVE Act (proof of citizenship to vote) (House 92 to 43). (2026-04-15) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, Religion in schools, China policy.
Tanya Lakins
DemocratMarine veteran and small-business owner; Democratic nominee, Missouri House District 39
Tanya Lakins, a Democrat, is the nominee for Missouri House District 39 against incumbent Republican Mark Meirath1. Her campaign site calls her a Marine veteran, mom, wife and small-business owner who has lived in Liberty and District 39 since 2012 and works as a Veteran Service Officer2. Its menu lists cost of living and the economy, health care, public safety, roads and infrastructure, education and veterans among her issues2.
Where they stand 2 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)low
Said · low confidence- Her campaign site says to vote no on Amendment 3 because it "attacks reproductive rights" by reversing the 2024 vote and limiting exceptions. (2026) source
Drug pricesNegotiate more drugs and extend the insulin and yearly cost caps to private insurancelow
Said · low confidence- Her campaign site says she would support SB 1182, which caps insulin cost-sharing. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy, School choice.
Last reviewed 2026-10-08. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.