Mark Alford

Mark Alford
Born	Mark Allen Alford Sr. 4 10, 1963
Birthplace	Baytown, Texas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Template:Hlist
Known for	U.S. Representative for Missouri's 4th congressional district
Education	Lee College Texas State University University of Texas at Austin (attended)
Children	3
Website	[[alford.house.gov alford.house.gov] Official site]

Mark Allen Alford Sr. (born October 4, 1963) is an American politician and former television news anchor who has served as the U.S. representative for Missouri's 4th congressional district since January 3, 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Alford spent more than two decades as a broadcast journalist in the Kansas City media market before transitioning to a career in elected office. Born in Baytown, Texas, he built his public profile through years of morning news anchoring at WDAF-TV (Fox 4) in Kansas City, becoming one of the region's most recognizable television personalities. In October 2021, Alford announced his candidacy for Congress following incumbent Vicky Hartzler's decision to pursue a U.S. Senate bid, and he won the Republican primary in August 2022 before securing the general election that November. Since taking office, Alford has drawn attention for his willingness to hold large numbers of public town hall meetings and for his work on committees addressing military affairs and small business issues.

Early Life

Mark Allen Alford Sr. was born on October 4, 1963, in Baytown, Texas, a city in the Houston metropolitan area along the upper Texas Gulf Coast. Details about his parents and upbringing in Baytown are limited in available public sources, though his Texas roots would later inform much of his early educational path. Alford grew up in the southeastern Texas region before pursuing higher education at institutions within the state.

Alford has spoken publicly about the influence of his faith on his life decisions. In an interview with Metro Voice News, he described feeling a spiritual calling that eventually led him toward public service, stating that he believed God was calling him to run for Congress. This faith-centered perspective has been a recurring theme in Alford's public life, both during his broadcasting career and in his subsequent political campaigns.

Education

Alford attended several institutions of higher education in Texas. He enrolled at Lee College, a community college located in Baytown, Texas, near his hometown. He subsequently attended Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State University) in San Marcos, Texas. Alford also attended the University of Texas at Austin, though available records indicate he did not complete a degree there. His educational background in Texas provided the foundation for a career in broadcast journalism that would span more than two decades.

Career

Television News Career

Before entering politics, Mark Alford spent over two decades working in television news, primarily in the Kansas City media market. He became one of the most recognized morning news anchors in the region through his work at WDAF-TV, the Fox affiliate in Kansas City known as Fox 4. During his tenure at the station, Alford became a familiar face to viewers across the Kansas City metropolitan area and western Missouri, building the kind of name recognition that would later prove advantageous in a congressional campaign.

As a morning news anchor, Alford covered a wide range of local and national stories. He was also active in the Kansas City community, making appearances at civic events and organizations. A biographical entry from the Rotary Club of a local chapter noted his involvement in community speaking engagements during his broadcasting career. His years of community engagement and daily television appearances gave him a substantial public platform that distinguished him from other candidates when he later entered the political arena.

2022 Congressional Campaign

On October 27, 2021, Alford formally announced his candidacy for Missouri's 4th congressional district, a seat that had been held by Republican Vicky Hartzler since 2011. Hartzler had decided to vacate the seat in order to run for the U.S. Senate, creating an open race in the heavily Republican district that encompasses a large swath of west-central and west-southwestern Missouri, including parts of the Kansas City suburbs.

Alford's campaign drew significant attention in Missouri political circles, in large part because of his high public profile from his years as a television anchor. His announcement was covered by multiple Kansas City-area news outlets, including KCUR, which noted that Alford was leveraging his media celebrity in making the transition to political candidate. The Kansas City Star also reported on his entry into the race, highlighting the competitive nature of the Republican primary in the district.

The Republican primary for Missouri's 4th congressional district, held on August 2, 2022, featured a crowded field of candidates. Alford prevailed in the primary, securing the Republican nomination over his opponents. His name recognition from decades on television, combined with his conservative messaging, proved to be a decisive advantage in the competitive primary contest.

In the general election on November 8, 2022, Alford faced opponents from other parties in the reliably Republican district. He won the seat, succeeding Hartzler as the representative for Missouri's 4th congressional district. The Columbia Missourian covered the general election race, noting the dynamics of the three-way contest for the open seat. During the campaign, Alford participated in interviews with regional media outlets, including ABC 17 News, where he discussed his policy positions and vision for the district.

Congressional Tenure

Alford was sworn in as a member of the 118th United States Congress on January 3, 2023, succeeding Vicky Hartzler. As a freshman member of Congress, Alford quickly established himself within the Republican conference.

Early in his tenure, Alford was among the members of Congress who drew attention for breaking from party leadership on certain votes. In 2023, The Hill reported on a group of Republicans and Democrats who voted against their respective party leaders, and Alford was included among those who bucked the Republican leadership on at least one occasion. In October 2023, The New York Times reported on a House vote related to Israel, providing additional context for how Alford and other members navigated a complex foreign policy landscape during their first term.

Town Hall Engagement

Alford has been noted for his willingness to hold public town hall meetings, a practice that has become increasingly uncommon among Republican members of Congress. In August 2025, NPR reported that Alford was embarking on a four-day, 15-town-hall tour across his district at a time when many of his Republican colleagues were opting against holding such events. The NPR report highlighted Alford as an exception among GOP members, many of whom had avoided town halls due to concerns about confrontational exchanges with constituents.

One of these town halls, held at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, on August 25, 2025, was broadcast by C-SPAN. During the event, Alford fielded questions from constituents on a range of topics.

On August 28, 2025, the Missouri Independent reported on a town hall in Harrisburg, Missouri, where Alford faced pointed questions from constituents about President Donald Trump's proposed Medicaid cuts and Republican policy priorities. The report described the event as "contentious," with Alford defending the actions taken by the Trump administration while engaging with critical audience members.

Legislative Work and Committee Activity

In Congress, Alford has been involved in issues related to military affairs and small business. In December 2025, the Missourinet reported that Alford was part of a U.S. House committee examining a decades-long decline in entrepreneurship among military veterans. He raised concerns about the sharp decline in veteran-owned businesses and the need to support veteran entrepreneurship.

Alford has also produced media content in his capacity as a congressman. He hosts a program called "Capitol Recap," in which he interviews fellow members of Congress about legislative priorities. In January 2026, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart of Florida appeared on "Capitol Recap" to discuss fiscal year 2026 national security legislation. Díaz-Balart, who serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, discussed the National Security Rescissions Package legislation during the segment.

Immigration and Law Enforcement

Alford has addressed immigration and law enforcement issues as part of his congressional work. In January 2026, he appeared on KCTV to discuss the activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the potential establishment of an immigration detention center in the Kansas City area. The interview was part of the station's "On the Record" segment.

FCC and Media Issues

In February 2026, Alford made national news when he suggested that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should investigate pop star Bad Bunny over the lyrics of his halftime performance during the Super Bowl. The Hill reported that Alford, a Missouri Republican, was calling for FCC action related to the content of the performance. The Kansas City Star published an opinion column questioning the merits of Alford's call, with columnist Derek Donovan characterizing the congressman's concern as being about the Puerto Rican superstar potentially having "said some bad words at the Super Bowl."

Personal Life

Mark Alford has three children. He relocated from the Kansas City area, where he had spent much of his broadcasting career, to represent Missouri's 4th congressional district in Congress. Alford has spoken publicly about the role of his Christian faith in guiding his decision to transition from journalism to politics. In an interview with Metro Voice News, he described his congressional campaign as being motivated by a sense of divine calling.

Alford's transition from a career in broadcast journalism to elected office placed him in the category of media figures who have entered American politics, a phenomenon that has become more common in recent decades. His years of community involvement in the Kansas City area, including appearances at civic organizations such as local Rotary Clubs, helped establish relationships that extended beyond his role as a news anchor.

Recognition

Alford's congressional tenure has been marked by media coverage that spans both national and regional outlets. His 2025 town hall tour received particular attention from national media, with NPR highlighting him as a notable exception among Republican members of Congress for his willingness to engage directly with constituents in public forums. The C-SPAN broadcast of his Bolivar, Missouri, town hall further elevated the national profile of his constituent engagement efforts.

His campaign and official activities have been documented by the Federal Election Commission and recorded in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Alford's voting record and policy positions have been tracked by Vote Smart, a nonpartisan research organization that compiles information on elected officials.

His call for an FCC investigation into Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance in February 2026 generated widespread media coverage, making him part of a broader national conversation about broadcast standards and cultural expression.