Biography
Dan Schaefer is the Democratic candidate for Missouri House of Representatives District 97 in the November 3, 2026 general election, facing Republican David Robertson; he also ran for the seat in 2024.[1][3] He is a retired engineer and software developer.[1][2]
Dan Schaefer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1982.[1] His career experience includes working as an engineer, marketing operations manager, field sales engineer, trainer, entrepreneur and writer.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he described himself as an engineer, software developer, political podcaster, husband and father who grew up in Florissant, Missouri, and as socially progressive and fiscally conservative.[2]
Schaefer was the Democratic nominee for District 97 in 2024, when incumbent Republican David Casteel defeated him 64.5% to 35.5%.[1] He advanced unopposed from the Democratic primary on August 4, 2026.[1] In the survey, he said he does not accept corporate or PAC money and that elected officials should respect decisions Missourians make through elections and initiative petitions, and he listed economic fairness and public education among his policy interests.[2]
- 1.Dan Schaefer - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Dan Schaefer - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
- 3.Missouri House of Representatives elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Missouri House District 97
Dan Schaefer is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Missouri House District 97 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.