James P. Lappe

James P. Lappe is the Democratic candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives, District 81, in the November 3, 2026 general election, after winning the August 4 Democratic primary for the open seat.[1][2] A former St. Louis alderman who works for the Missouri AFL-CIO, he said in a Ballotpedia survey that his priorities include defending the initiative petition process, addressing affordability, and protecting workers' rights.[2][3]

James P. Lappe was born in Creve Coeur, Missouri, and Ballotpedia lists a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis (2007) and a graduate degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (2013).[2] In a Ballotpedia survey, he said he grew up in the St. Louis area and moved to the city after completing his master's degree in 2013.[3] He said he worked for Missouri Jobs with Justice from 2017 to 2023 and now coordinates the Dislocated Worker Program at the Missouri AFL-CIO.[3]

Lappe served on the St. Louis Board of Aldermen for the 11th Ward from 2022 to 2023, finishing the unexpired term of Sarah Wood Martin.[2][3] He said that as an alderman he helped pass board bills that modernized the city's plumbing code, gave workers a voice in the governance of the firefighters' pension system, and established a Reproductive Equity Fund under the city Health Department.[3] In the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary for District 81, he defeated Tony Kirchner and Aaron Clite with 46.6 percent of the vote.[2]

Lappe said in the survey that he is a member of IBEW Local 1, has been a union member since 1999, and lives in Carondelet with his wife and daughter.[3] He listed his key messages as defending democracy and the initiative petition process, addressing Missouri's affordability crisis, and restoring local control for St. Louis and other jurisdictions.[3]

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