Spotlight on the MO 4th Congressional District

Republican Winner, Vicky Hartzler
Missouri's 4th Congressional District is found in the west central region of the state. Sixty percent of the district is rural, yet much of Jefferson City, the state capital, and the eastern Kansas City suburbs are contained within the district’s borders. If there is a district that could be considered Republican leaning, this is it. In 2008, John McCain swept all 24 counties and attained 61% of the vote to Barack Obama’s 38%. George W. Bush won MO-04 by huge margins in 2000 and 2004. Yet entrenched Democrat Ike Skelton had occupied this seat since 1976 (the year Jimmy Carter was elected president!). Skelton rarely faced a serious challenger in his seventeen elections. Considered a “centrist” during most of his tenure, Skelton’s voting record recently veered to the left, leaving him particularly vulnerable in this election cycle, which proved to be anti-Democrat. Skelton’s vote for the National Energy Tax angered the numerous farm families that populate the district. Republican Vicky Hartzler, former state Representative and conservative activist ran a disciplined campaign and voters awarded her a 50% to 45% margin of victory over the out of touch Skelton.
Vicky Hartzler
  • B.S. in Education, summa cum laude, Univ. of Missouri-Columbia
  • M.S. in Education, Central Missouri State Univ.
  • School teacher, 11 years
  • Elected state representative, 1994-2001 - championed legislation promoting adoption, strengthening education and lowering taxes
  • “Individual of the Year Award”, Harrisonville Area Chamber of Commerce
  • “Public Servant of the Year Award”, Pleasant Hill Area Chamber of Commerce
  • State spokesperson, Coalition to Protect Marriage in Missouri, 2004
  • Newspaper columnist, KC Star, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
  • Chairperson, Missouri Women’s Council (appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt), 2005
  • Author, “Running God’s Way: Step by Step to a Successful Political Campaign”
  • Former President and present member of the Board of Directors, Cass County Farm Bureau
  • Co-Chairperson (along with her husband, Lowell), Missouri Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee
  • With her husband, owner of Hartzler Equipment Company and manager of a diversified farming operation

ISSUES

Freedom and Prosperity: American history tells us prosperity always comes from freedom, not from assaults on freedom. When people bring home the fruits of their labor, it’s theirs. We decide how much government we can afford. The government doesn’t decide how big it should be and then take what it wants. The government should not take over and run companies. Free enterprise is best left in the hands of hard working citizens — not politicians and bureaucrats. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are rights endowed on all Americans, born and unborn. 

Taxes and Spending: I will support an immediate end to the wasteful and inefficient pork-barrel spending, a Balanced Budget Amendment and line-item veto, and a freeze on new spending except for our national defense, Medicare, and Social Security. It is imperative that government take in taxes only the minimum required to safeguard our freedom and families. I strongly oppose the Cap and Tax job-destroying energy tax of President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Ike Skelton. 

Health Care: I support real reform that will lower costs, increase competition, provide affordable insurance for those with pre-existing conditions, prevent unfair insurance policies, expand coverage, and preserve the right to see the doctor of our choice. Washington must start over and get it right.

Energy Independence: Instead of capping our energy resources and limiting energy production here at home, let’s aggressively pursue all energy alternatives, including building more nuclear power plants, drilling for oil and gas in coastal waters and ANWR, developing biofuels, using the abundance of clean coal with which we are blessed, and expanding hydro, wind, and solar-powered alternatives.

Agriculture: It is vital that our farmers and ranchers have a level playing field as they market their products world wide. They should be able to pass on the farming legacy without the devastating death tax and be able to operate without onerous government regulations.

Education: I believe the best education occurs locally through the commitment of parents, local schools, teachers, and the community. Washington does not know what is best for our children. Parents and teachers know best. 

Military: We have the best military in the world and it must remain the best. They must have the best equipment, latest technology, and proactive leadership that recognizes and funds all possible avenues of threat mitigation, including a strong missile defense. 

"My life values are faith, family, and freedom, the bedrock of the U.S.A. They have blessed all of us for more than two centuries. These guiding principles are under direct attack by liberal one-party rule in Washington. Our Fourth District congressman has loaned our vote to Nancy Pelosi. When she needs him, he comes running. It is time for a change."
Change For The Worse
The Spotlight On reports are overviews of actual Republican primary winners or top Republican primary contenders. Spotlights should not be interpreted as recommendations to support specific candidates. Before supporting any candidate, do thorough research to confirm that the candidate shares your views on issues you deem most important.