Biography
Virginia Staabs is the Democratic candidate for Missouri State Senate District 16 in the November 3, 2026 general election, facing Republican Bill Hardwick.[1][3] Her career experience includes accounting, and in a Ballotpedia survey she described herself as a small business owner.[1][2]
Virginia Staabs' career experience includes working in accounting.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, she said she is a small business owner who has lived in two states, has two grown children and five grandchildren, and has ancestors who lived in Missouri more than 100 years ago.[2] She advanced unopposed from the Democratic primary on August 4, 2026, receiving 5,009 votes.[1]
In the survey, Staabs listed honest communication from elected officials about Jefferson City, health care access in rural areas, and workers' rights among her key messages.[2] She said legislators should not overturn measures voters approved, citing the minimum wage and earned sick leave initiative.[2]
- 1.Virginia Staabs - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Virginia Staabs - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
- 3.Missouri State Senate elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Missouri Senate District 16
Virginia Staabs is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Missouri Senate District 16 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.