Winner M. Quigley (i) Dem 65.6% 168,530 votes.
Versus D. Schmitt GOP 28.7% 73,860 voters
And N. Wade Grn 5.7% 14,555 voters.
That is hard core Democrat. This Quigley guy was still running on a campaign in favor of a high speed rail line from the 5th district to downtown St. Louis. The line would be 110 MPH ~ cost about 50 billion dollars and have maybe 10 passengers a day.
That's the kind of district NO Republican ~ and aren't we all men and women of ideas? ~ could win. Those people stepped out of IDIOCRACY. Maybe an exciting funny truck smack down might attract them ~ more likely mud wrestling contests on Fridays.
The reason to run a Republican is simple ~ have a name on the ballot just in case a massive plague hits the area leaving behind only Republican voters. Otherwise not a lot of need to spend money there.
I actually worked every precinct in that district. And the fact is, there is no Republican Party there.
Not too hard for Dems to win overwhelming victories, that being the case.