Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer of St. Elizabeth is seeking his fifth two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives, but faces three opponents in the Nov. 8 general election.
To return to Washington, D.C., he will have to defeat Democrat Kevin Miller of St. Charles, Libertarian Dan Hogan of St. Peters and Constitution Party candidate Doanita Simmons of St. Peters.
Miller and Simmons did not return Leader candidate questionnaires.
District 3 covers northern Jefferson County and extends north and west past the St. Louis area.
The pay for U.S. representative is $174,000 a year, plus allowances. The term is for two years.
LUETKEMEYER, 64, lists his address as P.O. Box 147, St. Elizabeth. He and his wife, Jackie, have three children and four grandchildren. He and his wife own and operate a 160-acre farm. He also worked as a bank loan officer and insurance agent in St. Elizabeth and was director of the Missouri Division of Tourism from 2006-2008. He was a state representative from 1999 to 2005. He received a bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City. He was a trustee for the Village of St. Elizabeth board from 1978-1987 and is a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the National Rifle Association, the Missouri Farm Bureau and the Eldon Chamber of Commerce.
Social media: Website: www.blaineforcongress.com Facebook: blaineforcongress Twitter: @LuetkemeyerB
HOGAN, 35, lives at 39 Deer Grove Drive, St. Peters. He and his wife, Crystal, have one child. He is a conductor for Amtrak. He received an associate degree in health care management from the Community College of the Air Force and bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice from Ashworth College and in management from Peru (Neb.) State College. He is pursuing a master’s degree in entrepreneurial and economic development from Peru State College.
Hogan served in the U.S. Army from 2009-2012 and was in the Army and Air Force Reserves 1998-2009.
He is a life member of Lafayette Lodge No. 16 in Manhattan, Kan. and has been a member of Shriners International since 2010, a member of the Scottish Rite since 2010, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars since 2011. He also is a member of the American Legion.
Social media: Website: http://www.hogan4congress2016.org Facebook: hogan4congress2016
Why do you want to serve in Congress?
Luetkemeyer: I want to continue to represent our shared common-sense conservative Missouri values in Congress. I first ran for Congress because I was concerned about the direction that our country was taking. As a father of three and grandfather of four, I always keep in mind that I am fighting for the future of our country and for the lives and livelihoods of the people of eastern and central Missouri.
Hogan: The collective of Congress has forgotten who placed them in their positions and who it is they actually serve. Many members of Congress have become detached from their constituencies and don’t understand the problems and issues faced on a daily basis. We need people in place who have a better understanding of these issues, and people who also see congressional membership as a temporary position of service and not a career change.
What makes you the best person for the job?
Luetkemeyer: My deep roots in the 3rd Congressional District, private-sector business experience and conservative values make me a good fit to represent the district. I may work in Washington, but I live in Missouri and return home every weekend. I have a background in both agriculture and small business, two sectors that employ a large number of people in the district. A nonpartisan, independent study recognized me as Missouri’s most effective legislator in Congress. In addition, my office has helped many Missouri soldiers, veterans, retirees, local communities, and others get results in cases with federal agencies.
Hogan: I am a member of the middle class and I have a more intimate association with the issues faced by everyday Americans. I have a great deal of concern about our military, how we utilize them, and how we care for them once the return from conflicts overseas. As a veteran I will ensure that our military is used in the most judicious manner possible, and that when they return we care for them the way that they should be. I will work for what is in the best interest of the country while fighting to protect the rights of the individual. I will do this without regards to established party lines.
What is your top priority issue? If elected, how would you tackle this issue?
Luetkemeyer: Job creation and economic growth. Since the Obama Administration took office, Obamacare, Dodd-Frank, an avalanche of rules regulations and taxes have buried our economy. The real unemployment number is much higher than the official one, because many Americans who want to work full-time are only working part-time, and many other Americans have stopped looking for work. I support scrapping Obamacare, repealing onerous new regulations, reforming our broken tax code, strengthening our national security, restoring the Constitution’s separation of powers and balancing the federal budget. All of these things will promote economic growth and help more Missourians work full-time.
Hogan: Veterans care. The VA is full of caring and principled individuals, but the system is overburdened. We need to work to rectify the issues and eliminate the wait times. I will push to provide veterans with insurance cards that cover the same services provided by the VA. The difference is that the veteran will have the opportunity to pick his or her provider, not have a different one each visit. I will also work to ensure that no veteran is ever turned away from psychiatric services when requested. Some veterans have committed suicide when they could not get the care needed. One veteran suicide is too many, especially when help is available and can be provided.
What does your candidacy offer Jefferson County voters specifically?
Luetkemeyer: I’ve had the privilege of representing the majority of Jefferson County since 2013. I regularly travel to Jefferson County to meet with constituents to hear your concerns and take them back to Washington. The member of my staff who covers the area lives in Jefferson County, so I have a presence on the ground in the county every day and am being updated constantly about the issues that face the people of the county. Whether it’s defending the unborn, promoting river commerce, fighting the opioid epidemic, protecting the Second Amendment, supporting investment in roads and bridges or working to lower the tax and regulatory burdens on families and small businesses, I fight hard for the people of Jefferson County.
Hogan: A candidate who will work for all residents and not just for the wealthy or for special interests. I have promised not to accept donations from any source and I have kept my promise. This removes any sense of obligation a candidate may have to large donors, or that large donors may expect. A self-funded campaign is hard to run, especially when you aren’t rich. That is why you have not seen signs supporting me populating the sides of the roads. Offers of donations have been made, but they have been refused because I made a promise. A person is only as good as their word and if I can’t keep a promise that simple what good am I?
What is your single best accomplishment in public service so far?
Luetkemeyer: As far as a local issues, I was proud to work last year with the residents of Jefferson County to dedicate the post office in Cedar Hill after the late Sgt. 1st Class William Woods Jr. From the time I drafted the bill to it being signed by the president, it took less than six months. That is a testament to the strong community support it received. On a more national issue, writing legislation that passed unanimously to make significant reforms to a large number of government housing programs that had not been changed in 50 years. In addition, we are working hard to combat the opioid epidemic and to help people get the treatment they need and reclaim and rebuild their lives.
Hogan: Leaders don't count their accomplishments; the community they serve does. Ask them.
Do you support your party's nominee for president? Explain why or why not.
Luetkemeyer: Yes. Donald Trump and Mike Pence are proven leaders who are committed to defending the Constitution, securing our borders and getting our economy back on track. We simply cannot afford four more years of the same failed policies.
Hogan: Yes. Besides agreement with his policy positions, Gary Johnson is an honest and sincere individual. I got the chance to meet him at the Libertarian National Convention in Orlando, Fla. I asked him a very targeted and open-ended question. He didn’t give me the old D.C. dip-and-twirl; he gave me an actual answer, and an answer I could support. He may not be perfect – who is? – but at least he can admit it. His admittance to that is far beyond anything I have seen from Trump or Clinton.