Ann Wagner

Ann Wagner
Born	Ann Louise Trousdale 13 9, 1962
Birthplace	St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, diplomat
Known for	U.S. Representative for Missouri's 2nd congressional district; U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg
Education	University of Missouri (BS)
Children	3
Website	[[wagner.house.gov wagner.house.gov] Official site]

Ann Louise Wagner (née Trousdale; born September 13, 1962) is an American politician and former diplomat who has served as the U.S. representative for Missouri's 2nd congressional district since January 2013. A member of the Republican Party, Wagner has built a political career that spans party leadership, international diplomacy, and federal lawmaking. Before entering Congress, she served as the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg from 2005 to 2009 under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and chaired the Missouri Republican Party from 1999 to 2005. Her congressional district, located primarily in St. Louis County, encompasses much of the southern and western suburbs of St. Louis as well as portions of St. Charles County and the northern part of Jefferson County. The district is heavily suburban and among the wealthiest in Missouri. In Congress, Wagner has focused on financial services policy, anti-human trafficking legislation, and foreign affairs, and she currently serves as Chair of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets.

Early Life

Ann Louise Trousdale was born on September 13, 1962, in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up in the St. Louis metropolitan area, a region that would later form the core of the congressional district she represents. Details regarding her parents and childhood upbringing are limited in publicly available records, though her long-standing roots in the St. Louis area have been a consistent theme throughout her political career.

Wagner's early exposure to politics and civic engagement in Missouri laid the groundwork for her eventual rise through the ranks of the Republican Party at both the state and national levels. The St. Louis suburbs, where she was raised and later settled as an adult, constitute one of the most politically significant regions in Missouri, combining affluent residential communities with a strong tradition of civic participation.

Education

Wagner attended the University of Missouri, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. The University of Missouri, located in Columbia, Missouri, is the flagship institution of the University of Missouri System and one of the oldest public universities west of the Mississippi River. Wagner's time at the university preceded her entry into Republican Party politics in Missouri.

Career

Missouri Republican Party Chairmanship

Wagner's career in Republican Party politics accelerated in the late 1990s when she was elected chair of the Missouri Republican Party on January 16, 1999, succeeding Woody Cozad. She held this position until July 16, 2005, when she was succeeded by Doug Russell. During her tenure as state party chair, Wagner oversaw Republican electoral efforts in Missouri through multiple election cycles, including the pivotal 2000 and 2004 presidential elections.

In addition to her role leading the state party, Wagner took on national responsibilities. Beginning in 2001, she served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), a position she held for four years. The co-chairmanship of the RNC is a significant national party leadership post, and Wagner's tenure in that role coincided with the early years of the George W. Bush administration and the party's efforts during the 2002 and 2004 election cycles.

Following the 2010 midterm elections, Wagner launched a bid to become the full chair of the Republican National Committee. Her candidacy drew attention given her extensive experience in party management at both the state and national levels. Ultimately, she did not secure the chairmanship, but her campaign for the position further elevated her national profile within the Republican Party.

United States Ambassador to Luxembourg

On August 16, 2005, Wagner began serving as the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg, having been nominated by President George W. Bush. She succeeded Peter Terpeluk in the post. As ambassador, Wagner represented the United States in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a small but economically significant European nation that serves as a major financial center and is home to several institutions of the European Union.

Wagner served as ambassador through the transition between the Bush and Obama administrations, continuing in the role until June 27, 2009, when she was succeeded by Cynthia Stroum. Her diplomatic service during this period gave her direct experience in international relations, European affairs, and transatlantic economic issues—experience she would later draw upon in her congressional career.

U.S. House of Representatives

2012 Election and Entry to Congress

Following the redistricting process after the 2010 census, Wagner ran for Congress in Missouri's 2nd congressional district in the 2012 election cycle. The district had previously been represented by Todd Akin, who vacated the seat to run for the United States Senate. Wagner won the Republican primary and subsequently won the general election, beginning her service in the 113th United States Congress on January 3, 2013.

The 2nd congressional district, located predominantly in St. Louis County, is a heavily suburban district and the wealthiest in Missouri. It includes most of St. Louis's southern and western suburbs, as well as some northern exurbs in St. Charles County and the northern portion of Jefferson County. Wagner has been reelected to the seat in every subsequent election cycle.

Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation

One of Wagner's most prominent legislative priorities has been combating human trafficking and online sex trafficking. In the 113th Congress, she introduced H.R. 4225, legislation aimed at addressing these issues. Wagner promoted a bill designed to shut down online platforms used to facilitate sex trafficking, drawing attention to the intersection of technology and exploitation.

Her anti-trafficking work continued in subsequent congressional terms. In the 114th Congress, she supported H.R. 1090, additional legislation related to these efforts. Wagner maintained a dedicated section on her congressional website, titled "Not for Sale," highlighting her legislative work on anti-trafficking measures.

In November 2025, Wagner voted in favor of releasing files associated with the Jeffrey Epstein case, framing her vote in terms of supporting victims of trafficking.

Financial Services Committee Work

Wagner has served on the House Committee on Financial Services, where she rose to become Chair of the Subcommittee on Capital Markets. In this role, she has been involved in shaping legislation related to capital formation, securities regulation, and financial market oversight.

In December 2025, Wagner, along with Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill and Representatives Gregory Meeks and Josh Gottheimer, unveiled a bipartisan capital formation package. The legislation was described as aimed at promoting investment, innovation, and economic growth through regulatory reforms in the capital markets.

In December 2025, Wagner announced that legislation she authored to support small businesses and entrepreneurs passed the House of Representatives with broad support.

Wagner has also addressed the economic concerns of her constituents through her subcommittee work. In early 2026, the Financial Services Committee highlighted her efforts under the banner of "INVESTing in Innovation, Growth, and Stability in Missouri," focusing on issues such as rising grocery costs, housing affordability, and investment opportunities for Missouri families.

Foreign Affairs and Taiwan

Drawing on her diplomatic experience as former ambassador to Luxembourg, Wagner has been active on foreign policy matters in Congress. In December 2025, a bill she authored to combat Chinese aggression and support an independent Taiwan was signed into law by President Donald Trump. The legislation reflected Wagner's focus on countering Chinese influence and strengthening U.S. relations with Taiwan.

Federal Reserve and Economic Policy

As Chair of the Capital Markets Subcommittee, Wagner has weighed in on major economic appointments. In early 2026, she issued a statement regarding the nomination of Kevin Warsh to serve as Chair of the Federal Reserve, expressing support for the nomination.

Caucus Memberships

During her time in Congress, Wagner has been a member of several congressional caucuses. She has been listed as a member of the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus of conservative members in the House. She has also been a member of the Congressional Constitution Caucus.

2026 Election Cycle

In October 2025, Fred Wellman, host of the On Democracy podcast, announced his candidacy to challenge Wagner for her congressional seat in the 2026 election cycle. Wellman's podcast had been critical of the Republican Party's direction under Donald Trump, and his candidacy represented a challenge from outside Wagner's party.

Political Positions

Wagner is a member of the Republican Party and has been characterized as being part of the moderate bloc within the party. Her legislative record reflects a mix of conservative economic positions—particularly regarding capital markets deregulation and fiscal policy—alongside engagement on social issues such as anti-human trafficking measures. Her bipartisan work on capital formation legislation with Democratic colleagues such as Representatives Meeks and Gottheimer illustrates her willingness to engage in cross-party legislative efforts on financial policy matters.

In October 2025, Wagner issued a statement criticizing Democrats for what she described as shutting down the federal government, reflecting her engagement in partisan fiscal debates.

Personal Life

Wagner resides in the St. Louis metropolitan area, within the boundaries of Missouri's 2nd congressional district. She has three children. Her birth name was Ann Louise Trousdale, and she took the surname Wagner upon marriage.

Wagner has maintained strong ties to the St. Louis community throughout her career, from her time as Missouri Republican Party chair through her diplomatic service and congressional tenure. Her district's suburban and affluent character has shaped her policy focus on issues such as capital formation, small business support, and economic opportunity.

Recognition

Wagner's career has included several notable leadership positions that reflect her standing within the Republican Party and in Congress. Her appointment as United States Ambassador to Luxembourg by President George W. Bush in 2005 represented a significant diplomatic honor. Her election as co-chair of the Republican National Committee in 2001 placed her among the top leaders of the national party apparatus during a formative period in early 21st-century Republican politics.

In Congress, her elevation to the chairmanship of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets gave her a major platform for shaping policy related to securities regulation, capital formation, and financial market oversight. Her anti-human trafficking legislation, including bills introduced across multiple congressional sessions, garnered national media attention and positioned her as a leading congressional voice on the issue.

Her legislative record in the 119th Congress includes a bill related to Taiwan and China policy that was signed into law, as well as legislation supporting small businesses that passed the House with substantial bipartisan support.