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Kiehne, 56, is a musician and producer. He was in St. Charles and now lives in Eureka.

He is no stranger to political campaigns. He has tried unsuccessfully three times to win a Missouri Legislature seat — the state Senate in 2018 and 2022, and the state House in 2020.

Wagner, 61, of Town and Country, announced earlier this month that she will seek a seventh term to represent Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District.

The GOP-leaning district covers portions of west and south ºüÀêÊÓƵ County, St. Charles and Warren counties, and all of Franklin County.

In 2022, Wagner won reelection over Trish Gunby, a Democratic state representative from West County, with a 55%-to-43% edge.

Both candidates already are framing their race as a presidential referendum of sorts.

Wagner has said President Joe Biden has led the country “down a path of failure, one that must be stopped before it is too late.�

Kiehne, on the other hand, states his campaign aims to take on “the Republican Party’s extreme right-wing MAGA agenda.�

Kiehne said he was active in music and bands at Francis Howell High School (Class of 1985), and then went on to attend Webster University and the University of Missouri-ºüÀêÊÓƵ.

Working mainly as , Kiehne lived in the Boston area for most of the 1990s. Upon returning to ºüÀêÊÓƵ, he has worked as a recording producer and a music instructor.

Kiehne and his wife, Michelle, have been married for 15 years and have two young children. He also said he has been an active foster parent for years.

In an interview, Kiehne said more Democrats are needed to hold Missouri office.

“The MAGA folks have managed to influence our state and Congress,� he said. “So I need to persuade people who normally vote Republican to vote for me.�

Describing U.S. politics as “so polarized,� Kiehne went on to say, “I want to believe there are moderate Republicans who will work with Democrats.�