ST. LOUIS — The August primaries are still a spring and summer away, but the Democratic race for Missouri's 2nd Congressional District is already heating up.

Joan VonDras, a former schoolteacher, is taking her main Democratic opponent to task for criticizing her about donating to her own cause.

In a statement sent to area media outlets, VonDras criticized retired Army aviator Fred Wellman for calling her out of touch because she loaned her campaign $260,000 from her personal bank account. The two are vying for the right to take on U.S. Rep. Wagner in the November general election.

"I worked hard, planned carefully and made smart financial decisions," VonDras said. "I will not apologize for ... my fiscal responsibility."

VonDras' latest federal campaign report shows she raised $274,000 in the last three months of 2025, with $260,000 of it being the personal loan to her campaign.

In an interview, VonDras said Wellman's comments were made last week in response to a question asked of him at a town hall meeting in Union.

Calling the remarks "unnecessary," VonDras said she had hoped the Democratic primary candidates would avoid attacking each other and focus on unseating Wagner.

She also bristled at being described as out of touch with constituents. "I've been holding town talk meetings with small groups" for more than a year, she said.

VonDras said that she and two other Democratic candidates — Clayton epidemiologist Nick Vivio and Chuck Summers, who lost in the Democratic primary in 2024 — appear at many of the same events and remain cordial. (A fourth candidate, Dr. Timothy Bilash, ran for Congress in 2024 in California.)

VonDras also said Wellman declined to be in a photo with the other Democratic candidates on Jan. 31, at a food drive held by the Chesterfield Township Democrat organization.

VonDras added that she was surprised Wellman would open up the subject of personal finances, given Wellman's own financial struggles.

"It surprised me, coming from a candidate who openly discusses his own bankruptcies and should appreciate what it takes to stay ahead of the financial challenges of today," she said.

Wellman has not shied away from publicly mentioning his financial troubles. He filed for bankruptcy in 2020 while he was living in Virginia.

A Kirkwood native, Wellman moved back to area in 2021 and lives in Wildwood, as does VonDras.

Wellman's campaign responded to the Post-Dispatch by saying, "We've decided not to put out a statement of this issue, as we find it distracting from the good work we have been able to do so far in flipping this seat" from Republican to Democrat.

Political observers say there is no surprise that Wellman wants to keep some distance from the other candidates, given that even this early in the contest, he is considered the frontrunner.

Wellman already has garnered endorsements from several major trade unions, as well as the backing of former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander and state Sen. Jill Schupp.

Wellman's campaign is staffed with some veteran campaigners, including Chelsea Rodriguez, former communications director for the Missouri Democratic Party.

It also has raised significantly more than VonDras. Wellman's most recent contribution report shows his campaign has raised about $430,000 and has spent about $253,000. His available cash total is about $177,000.

The Democrat who wins the August primary will face incumbent Wagner, who has represented the district since 2013.

The 2nd District covers parts of south and west St. Louis County, as well as portions of Jefferson, Franklin, St. Charles and Warren counties.

After redistricting four years ago, the area became solidly Republican. Wagner defeated has Democratic opponents — veteran state legislator Trish Gunby in 2022 and media figure Ray Hartmann in 2024 — by more than 10%.

When previously asked about her potential opponents this year, Wagner's campaign has said she "looks forward to beating whomever emerges from that race."

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