Brenna Barksdale

Brenna Barksdale is the Democratic candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives, District 163, in the November 3, 2026 general election, where she faces incumbent Republican Cathy Loy.[1][2] Barksdale works as an assistant manager at a cannabis dispensary and lists public education, workers' benefits and health care funding among her priorities.[3]

Brenna Barksdale graduated from Carthage High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Missouri Southern State University in 2013.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, Barksdale said she has lived in Southwest Missouri for most of her life and worked at area Family Video stores while attending Missouri Southern.[3] She described her current job as assistant manager at a cannabis dispensary.[3]

Barksdale advanced from the Democratic primary on August 4, 2026, with no opponent on the ballot.[1] In the survey, she said she supports quality public education for all students, including students with special needs, and better pay for teachers.[3] She criticized the legislature's repeal of the earned paid sick time provisions voters approved as Proposition A in 2024, and said she would fund Medicaid expansion and then work toward a single-payer, Medicare for All system.[3] She also said she supports policies that make groceries, housing and health care affordable, and more sidewalks leading to community gathering spaces.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.