LATEST FROM THE CAMPAIGN
-
November 12, 2025
Wildwood, MO — Fred Wellman, Democratic candidate for Congress in Missouri’s 2nd District, today condemned Representative Ann Wagner for refusing to support the full release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and for staying silent while members of both parties call for transparency and justice.
“Ann Wagner has built her career claiming to fight human trafficking,” said Wellman. “But when it comes time to shine light on one of the darkest sex child sex trafficking scandals in modern history, she chooses to embrace the alleged perpetrators rather than stand with the survivors. Her silence is not leadership, it’s cowardice.”
Wellman pointed out that Wagner, who serves on committees overseeing financial crimes and human rights, has declined to support a bipartisan measure that would require the Department of Justice to release unclassified Epstein records. The discharge petition to release the Epstein documents is within one vote of forcing a full House vote. Wagner has refused to take a position, despite repeated requests for comment.
“Victims deserve the truth, and the public deserves accountability,” Wellman said. “The people of Missouri’s 2nd District deserve a representative who fights for justice, not one who protects the powerful. It is obvious to anyone that Donald Trump was involved with Epstein far beyond what he and the Republicans have alleged. Today’s emails expose his lies. Full transparency is the only solution.”
“Missourians deserve to know what Ann Wagner is afraid of,” Wellman continued. “Transparency shouldn’t depend on political convenience.”
-
November 3, 2025
BALLWIN, MO – Upon learning that more than 650,000 Missourians would not receive November SNAP benefits due to the federal shutdown, Team Wellman for Missouri and community partners organized an emergency food drive that drew over 30 volunteers, local officials, candidates, and local organizations.
In just two hours, volunteers packed more than 300 boxes totaling 4,368 pounds of food for families in need directly across the street from Congresswoman Ann Wagner’s district office.
“When Washington turns its back, Missourians step up,” said Fred Wellman, Democratic candidate for Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District. “No family should wonder where their next meal will come from because politicians can’t do their jobs. This is what real leadership looks like: neighbors taking care of one another.”
The drive, hosted in partnership with local elected officials, candidates, and community organizations, benefited the Circle of Concern Food Pantry. State Senators Tracy McCreery and Doug Beck and State Representatives Mark Boyko and Raychel Proudie joined dozens of volunteers, community leaders, and candidates from across MO-2 to collect and pack donations.
“We had people show up who never even signed up to volunteer,” Wellman said. “That tells you how much this moment matters and how deeply people care.”
The success of the event reflects the growing frustration among Missouri families who are paying the price for dysfunction in Congress. While politicians in Washington bicker, Missouri Democrats and local partners are working together to fill the gap.
-
November 10, 2025
Wildwood, MO — Fred Wellman issued a sharp rebuke of failed leadership in Washington as the shutdown continues to strip Missourians of food and healthcare:
“I am furious at what Washington has become. The Republican Party has sold out working families to billionaires and special interests, gutting our healthcare and food assistance for millions. Too many D.C. Democrats are out of touch and unwilling to confront the scale of the suffering people are enduring.
Ann Wagner has voted for every single bill, increased her personal wealth by millions, and has been silent as thousands of her constituents struggle to eat, get healthcare, work, and make ends meet. She could have sat down with her colleagues to find a way out of this. Instead, she sat by and watched her portfolio grow while over 650,000 Missourians are stripped of their SNAP benefits, and thousands of Missourians will see their health insurance prices skyrocket.
Working people in Missouri deserve someone who will fight for them without hesitation. When duty called, I answered. I served this country for 22 years in the Army because I believe in the promise of America. That is the spirit of service I will bring to Congress. Missourians need a representative who runs toward the fight, not away from it.”
-
October 21, 2025
ST. LOUIS – As Missouri families face crisis after crisis, Congresswoman Ann Wagner is missing in action. While Missouri’s farmers lose vital soybean contracts to foreign markets and working families brace for rising food prices and aid cuts, Wagner refuses to stand up to her Republican colleagues who are inflicting real harm on the people she was elected to represent.
“Families across Missouri’s 2nd District are fighting to put food on the table while Ann Wagner sits silent as her party guts food aid, destabilizes farm markets, and drives up costs,” said Democratic candidate for Missouri’s Second Congressional District, Fred Wellman. “She has had every opportunity to fight for Missouri families and farmers, but instead she is protecting wealthy donors and bailing out Argentina’s farmers. It is time for Ann Wagner to stop working for the powerful few and start doing her job by standing up for Missourians.”
FRED IN THE MEDIA
Voters in MO-2 are calling for communication from Congresswoman Ann Wagner — Kimberly Donahue, First Alert 4 10/19/25
Crowds of voters throughout Missouri’s second congressional district took to Weidman and Manchester Sunday afternoon.
Demonstrators stationed near Rep. Ann Wagner’s Manchester office, calling for the congresswoman to be more responsive to her constituents.
“I hope if I get elected, they won’t need to protest me,” said Fred Wellman, who is running as a Democrat for Missouri’s second congressional district. “They’ll be getting the answers they need from their representative.”
Special Edition with Fred Wellman — Jason Rosenbaum, STLPR 10/8/25
Missouri podcast host Fred Wellman will challenge Rep. Ann Wagner for her congressional seat — Jason Rosenbaum, KCUR 10/1/25
Fred Wellman is the host of the On Democracy podcast, which has been critical of the Republican Party gravitation to Donald Trump. He's the second candidate to join the Democratic primary for the 2nd District, which has become more competitive in recent years.
A podcast host is the latest candidate seeking to challenge Republican Congresswoman Ann Wagner in next year's high stakes midterm elections.
Wildwood resident Fred Wellman announced on Wednesday he'll run in the Democratic primary for Missouri's 2nd Congressional District, which takes in portions of St. Louis, St. Charles and Warren counties and all of Franklin County.
Wellman is the host of the On Democracy podcast, which is on the national MediasTouch network. He was also the executive director of the Lincoln Project, a group that, among other things, sought to steer Republicans disillusioned with President Donald Trump toward Democratic candidates.
Podcast host and Democrat Fred Wellman runs for Ann Wagner’s congressional seat — Jason Rosenbaum, STLPR 10/1/25
Wildwood resident Fred Wellman announced on Wednesday he’ll run in the Democratic primary for Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District, which takes in portions of St. Louis, St. Charles and Warren counties and all of Franklin County.
Wellman is the host of the "On Democracy" podcast, which is on the national MeidasTouch network. He was also the executive director of the Lincoln Project, a group that sought to steer Republicans disillusioned with President Donald Trump toward Democratic candidates.
In a statement announcing his campaign, Wellman stressed his experience serving in the military and his desire to protect popular federal social services programs.
“I dedicated 22 years to serving our nation in the Army, and when I came home, I carried that same commitment to service into my community,” Wellman said. “I’m running for Congress because the people of the 2nd District deserve a representative who puts service above self and delivers on what matters most: lowering costs, expanding access to health care, supporting our veterans, and protecting Social Security and Medicare.”
Wellman, a Democrat from Wildwood, enters the race for #MO2. Ann Wagner’s seat has been targeted by the DCCC this cycle, but if new maps survive court challenges and a possible referendum, it will be more GOP-friendly. https://t.co/8oLtN4Cknb
— Gregg Palermo (@GreggPalermo) October 1, 2025
U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner draws another opponent for 2026 election — The East Hampton Star 10/30/24
Fred Wellman, a retired U.S. Army aviator, announced Wednesday he will run as a Democrat in next year's election.
Wellman's campaign noted that the Kirkwood native, who now lives in Wildwood, served 22 years as an Army aviator and completed four combat tours. He also hosts a podcast called "On Democracy."
Wellman's campaign announcement noted that he supports expanding access to healthcare, supporting veterans and protecting Social Security and Medicare.
In a statement, Wellman said residents of Wagner's district "deserve a representative who shows up, listens, and takes action to help working families get ahead, instead of enriching herself and her billionaire friends.”
U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner draws another opponent for 2026 election — Joe Holleman, St. Louis Post-Dispatch 10/1/25
Wellman's campaign noted that the Kirkwood native, who now lives in Wildwood, served 22 years as an Army aviator and completed four combat tours. He also hosts a podcast called "On Democracy."
Wellman's campaign announcement noted that he supports expanding access to healthcare, supporting veterans and protecting Social Security and Medicare.
In a statement, Wellman said residents of Wagner's district "deserve a representative who shows up, listens, and takes action to help working families get ahead, instead of enriching herself and her billionaire friends.”