(From the Ellen Nichols Campaign)Dr. Ellen Nichols, a longtime Joplin neurosurgeon and community leader, announced today that she is running for the Missouri State Senate in the 32nd District in 2026, citing her readiness to put decades of high-stakes decision-making to work for Missouri families in Jefferson City.
For more than three decades, Dr. Nichols has served southwest Missouri as a practicing neurosurgeon, treating patients facing some of life’s most serious medical challenges. After completing her medical degree at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and an intensive neurological surgery residency at the University of Chicago Hospitals, she chose to build her career in Joplin—where she has practiced for over 33 years. Her work has included treating traumatic brain injuries, spinal disorders, and emergency neurological conditions, often in high-pressure, life-or-death situations.
“I can’t think of a better person to represent our community in the legislature,” said retired Crowder College professor, Curtis Daniels. “Dr. Nichols is one of the top neurosurgeons in the Midwest, and while I’d hate to see her leave medicine, knowing she’d bring that same level of care and discipline to reviewing the laws passed in Jefferson City would let me sleep a lot better at night.”
Those experiences, Dr. Nichols says, shaped her belief that government must be fiscally responsible, efficient, and focused on results. “In medicine, every decision has consequences,” she said. “You learn quickly to make smart choices with limited resources.” As a candidate, Dr. Nichols plans to emphasize balanced budgets, responsible spending, and respect for taxpayers who expect government to live within its means.
Dr. Nichols has also made clear that she would prioritize protecting innocent life by standing up for the unborn and supporting laws that respect the sanctity of life. A strong supporter of the Constitution, she has consistently defended the Second Amendment, believing law-abiding citizens have the right to protect themselves and their families.
Her medical background has also given her a deep appreciation for small businesses, particularly those struggling under rising healthcare costs and regulatory burdens. As a physician who has worked within complex healthcare systems, Nichols has firsthand experience navigating regulations, payroll, and compliance. She believes the same red tape hurting doctors and nurses is also choking local employers across Jasper and Newton Counties.
Dr. Nichols has spent years advocating for reform through the Missouri State Medical Association (MSMA), where she currently serves as secretary and previously served on its legislative affairs committee. In those roles, she has worked on issues such as ensuring patients receive physician-led care, and tort reform, aimed at reducing lawsuit abuse that drives up healthcare costs for families and employers alike.
Beyond her professional life, Dr. Nichols points to her strong Christian faith and deep family roots as central to who she is. She and her husband raised four children, including two who joined their family through foster care and adoption, and are now grandparents. She has been active in church life with the Salvation Army and remains committed to service beyond the operating room.
Local Republican leader and retired McAuley High School Principal, Gene Koester, said Dr. Nichols’ impact is already well known. “She has been a force for good in this community for years,” the supporter said, “From healthcare leadership to grassroots Republican work, Ellen has earned respect by showing up and doing whatever needed done.”
Another community member emphasized her personal values. Nathan Hicks, Salvation Army store manager, said, “Ellen’s faith and commitment to family aren’t just words. She’s lived them—through adoption, service, and a lifetime of putting others first.”
Dr. Nichols says any campaign she pursues will be grounded in conservative principles: cutting property taxes, stopping illegal immigration, protecting public safety, standing up for women by keeping men out of women’s sports and putting the health and well-being of Missouri families first. “As a physician, I’m trained to solve problems and focus on outcomes,” she concluded. “Missouri needs leaders who do the same.”
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