Lori Rook Launches Republican Challenge Against Incumbent Trent for Missouri Senate District 20 in 2026

Springfield, MO – Lori Rook, a conservative Republican attorney and business owner, has announced her candidacy for the Missouri State Senate, seeking to represent District 20 in the 2026 election. Rook aims to unseat incumbent State Senator Curtis Trent, positioning herself as an "outsider" and "conservative fighter" in the upcoming primary. Her announcement, made on July 4th, signals a significant challenge within the Republican party for the district covering Barton, Dade, Webster, and parts of Greene County.

Rook has articulated her campaign as a stand against political complacency, stating, "Southwest Missouri deserves actual conservative fighters, not more go-along-to-get-along lobby core lackeys." She further emphasized her commitment to being "a defender of the people, not the corporations and special interests." This sentiment resonated on social media, with one user tweeting, > "We need more outsiders like Rook in our government. Great to see he would run as a Republican," reflecting a desire for new political figures.

A graduate of Nixa High School and Missouri State University, Rook holds a Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University School of Law. She is the managing partner of Ozarks Elder Law, where her legal expertise focuses on safeguarding Missourians through elder law, estate planning, and fighting financial fraud. Rook has also received accolades such as "40 under 40" and "Most Influential Women" from the Springfield Business Journal.

This marks Rook's second significant foray into state politics, following an unsuccessful bid for Missouri State Treasurer in the 2024 Republican primary. In that race, she secured a notable third-place finish, garnering 127,970 votes, which accounted for 19.4% of the total. Her previous campaign was largely self-funded, reinforcing her image as an independent candidate.

Rook's platform includes strong conservative positions, advocating for pro-life policies, defending the Second Amendment, and seeking to eliminate personal property and income taxes. She also opposes eminent domain and aims to address issues like the border crisis and federal government overreach. Her campaign website highlights a commitment to transparency and accountability in state finances.

The incumbent, Curtis Trent, first elected in 2022, serves as the assistant majority floor leader and chair of the General Laws Committee. Trent, also an attorney, is well-positioned for a potential leadership role if re-elected to his second term. District 20 is considered heavily Republican, and as of now, no Democratic candidate has announced plans to run for the seat, setting the stage for a competitive Republican primary on August 4, 2026.