Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer of St. Elizabeth is seeking his sixth two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives, but has drawn an opponent in his party’s Aug. 7 primary election, Chadwick Bicknell of Arnold.
The winner of the primary will have two opponents in the November general election, both of whom are running unopposed in their party’s primary election: Katy Geppert of St. Charles and Libertarian Donald V. Stolle, also of Arnold.
District 3 covers northern Jefferson County and extends north and west past the St. Louis area, covering much of east-central Missouri.
The pay for U.S. representative is $174,000 a year, plus allowances. The term is for two years.
BICKNELL, 27, lives at 14 Ozark Lane in Arnold. He works for Mobil on the Run and attended Southeast Missouri State
Social media: Facebook: ChadwickBick
University. Bicknell volunteered for five years with Campus Outreach, a Christian college ministry.
LUETKEMEYER, 66, lists his address as P.O. Box 147, St. Elizabeth. He and his wife, Jackie, have three children and five grandchildren. He is a farmer and small business owner. 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 in political science with a minor in business administration from Lincoln University in Jefferson City. He was a trustee for the Village of St. Elizabeth board 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: BlaineforCongress.com Facebook: Blaine Luetkemeyer Twitter: @LuetkemeyerB
What are your thoughts on how to protect insurance coverage for those who have pre-existing conditions?
Bicknell: Obamacare needs to be repealed and in the legislation to repeal, language can be included that while states will be responsible for the replacement or set rules on health, people can't be denied health insurance for having a pre-existing condition.
Luetkemeyer: Twenty-five percent of Americans have pre-existing conditions. While many buy insurance through their employer, individual purchasers, both with and without pre-existing conditions, face restrictions to coverage and unaffordable prices. Last year, I voted for the American Health Care Act to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a system that allows Americans and their doctors – not the government – to control their health care. The bill lowered premiums and reaffirmed it is illegal to discriminate against those with pre-existing conditions. While the Senate ultimately failed to pass the bill, I will continue supporting plans to improve our health care system.
What should Congress do to address the opioid crisis?
Bicknell: Drugs have been an issue for a long time and it is already a felony to do drugs but prison isn't much of a deterrent. There isn't anything Congress can do, nor should it. It comes down to the states needing to implement their own measures to fight opioid issues.
Luetkemeyer: On average, 115 Americans die of an opioid overdose every day, leaving families devastated and communities broken. This year I have supported more than 50 bills in the House addressing the crisis through treatment and recovery, addiction prevention and community safety initiatives. These bills are the product of extensive conversations with doctors, patients, law enforcement and local officials with the goal of getting those already addicted help and putting an end to the unnecessary spread of opioid use while ensuring patients maintain access to the treatment they need to live a happy life.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Bicknell: Voting for me is a vote for you. I am of the people and for the people. Blaine Luetkemeyer has been in office for 10 years and has accomplished nothing. He voted against your interests and ignores you. I won't. I want the people involved in crafting legislation in D.C.
Luetkemeyer: Missouri has been home to my family for generations. We have been extremely fortunate to live in a community that values family, faith and hard work. Growing up raising hogs and cattle taught me to appreciate our land, and working with great people every day taught me to cherish the friendship and good-natured hospitality you find throughout Missouri. Serving my community at the state level and now in Congress is the best way to honor the people who have shown great faith in me and the state so dear to my heart.