Cody Oshel

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Cody Oshel completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Oshel's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-427640-2026-04-01\" id=\"heading-bio-427640-2026-04-01\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-427640-2026-04-01\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-427640-2026-04-01\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-427640-2026-04-01\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-427640-2026-04-01\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tBorn and raised in Trenton, Cody is deeply rooted in the district, where seven generations have proudly called beautiful northern Missouri home. Cody’s journey has led him to Maryville, where he lives with his wife, Jessica, their sons, Alister and Shepherd, and their dogs, Cash and Linguini.\r\nCody’s professional career has led him across the corners of the sixth district over the past 14 years. He has served in multiple pastoral roles within the Missouri United Methodist Church, including a Senior Pastor at Weston, Stanberry, and Kirksville, as well as in associate and leadership roles in the St. Joseph area. Cody currently serves in strategic growth partnerships and brand activation at Thrivent Financial, bringing practical leadership experience in supporting Christian communities, businesses, and economic growth across the state and country. Cody has been honored to receive the Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellow award, recognized as a Most Wanted for Kansas City’s Big Brothers Big Sisters, served as the vice president of the Kansas/Missouri region of Thrivent’s Member Network, and is a former board president and member of The Crossing Outreach in St. Joseph\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-427640-2026-04-01\" id=\"heading-key-message-427640-2026-04-01\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-427640-2026-04-01\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-427640-2026-04-01\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-427640-2026-04-01\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-427640-2026-04-01\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Servant Leadership- I am here to get in the mess with you. The best advice I received as a young pastor was, \"See the people where it matters.\" Every church I was appointed to was in decline, and yet, I found growth and left each church healthier than I found it because I wasn't afraid to roll up my sleeves and get in the mess.</li><li>Every Voice Matters - Missourians deserve to have their voices heard in Washington. Nothing can change unless we have hard conversations. I plan to set up listening tours before and while in office to hear your stories and bring them to the Capitol.</li><li>Rooted in Community - Born and raised in Trenton, I am deeply rooted in the district, where seven generations have proudly called beautiful northern Missouri home. My journey has led me to Maryville, where I currently reside with my wife, Jessica, our sons, Alister and Shepherd, and our dogs, Cash and Linguini. I strongly believe that northern Missouri deserves a representative with deep local roots committed to Missouri’s families and farms.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-427640-2026-04-01\" id=\"heading1-427640-2026-04-01\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-427640-2026-04-01\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-427640-2026-04-01\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-427640-2026-04-01\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-427640-2026-04-01\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tHealthcare - The Affordable Care Act has created a massive burden on rural Missouri farmers, small business owners, and rural hospitals and providers. We have to create a solution that reduces the burden!<br/><br/>\n<p>Agriculture- Missouri's farms are the backbone of our economy and our country's way of life. We have to protect our farmers by improving rural infrastructure, securing fair trade deals, reducing burdensome regulations, and protecting our land from being purchased by foreign entities.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nStrong National Defense- A strong national defense is the foundation of our freedom. I support a funded, modern military that deters our enemies, supports our allies, and positions us as the strongest nation in the world.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nCody Oshel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Oshel's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Born and raised in Trenton, Cody is deeply rooted in the district, where seven generations have proudly called beautiful northern Missouri home. Cody’s journey has led him to Maryville, where he lives with his wife, Jessica, their sons, Alister and Shepherd, and their dogs, Cash and Linguini.\r\nCody’s professional career has led him across the corners of the sixth district over the past 14 years. He has served in multiple pastoral roles within the Missouri United Methodist Church, including a Senior Pastor at Weston, Stanberry, and Kirksville, as well as in associate and leadership roles in the St. Joseph area. Cody currently serves in strategic growth partnerships and brand activation at Thrivent Financial, bringing practical leadership experience in supporting Christian communities, businesses, and economic growth across the state and country. Cody has been honored to receive the Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellow award, recognized as a Most Wanted for Kansas City’s Big Brothers Big Sisters, served as the vice president of the Kansas/Missouri region of Thrivent’s Member Network, and is a former board president and member of The Crossing Outreach in St. Joseph Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Servant Leadership- I am here to get in the mess with you. The best advice I received as a young pastor was, \"See the people where it matters.\" Every church I was appointed to was in decline, and yet, I found growth and left each church healthier than I found it because I wasn't afraid to roll up my sleeves and get in the mess. Every Voice Matters - Missourians deserve to have their voices heard in Washington. Nothing can change unless we have hard conversations. I plan to set up listening tours before and while in office to hear your stories and bring them to the Capitol. Rooted in Community - Born and raised in Trenton, I am deeply rooted in the district, where seven generations have proudly called beautiful northern Missouri home. My journey has led me to Maryville, where I currently reside with my wife, Jessica, our sons, Alister and Shepherd, and our dogs, Cash and Linguini. I strongly believe that northern Missouri deserves a representative with deep local roots committed to Missouri’s families and farms. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Healthcare - The Affordable Care Act has created a massive burden on rural Missouri farmers, small business owners, and rural hospitals and providers. We have to create a solution that reduces the burden! Agriculture- Missouri's farms are the backbone of our economy and our country's way of life. We have to protect our farmers by improving rural infrastructure, securing fair trade deals, reducing burdensome regulations, and protecting our land from being purchased by foreign entities. Strong National Defense- A strong national defense is the foundation of our freedom. I support a funded, modern military that deters our enemies, supports our allies, and positions us as the strongest nation in the world.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]