Ann Wagner is seeking a fourth two-year term as Missouri’s 2nd District representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.
To get back to Washington, D.C., Wagner will have to defeat in the Nov. 6 general election Cort VanOstran, who emerged as the winner in a five-candidate Democratic Party primary in August, Libertarian Larry A. Kirk of Old Monroe and Green Party candidate David Justus Arnold of St. Louis County.
Kirk and Arnold did not return Leader candidate questionnaires.
The district covers a small portion of northeastern Jefferson County and extends across most of St. Louis County and into St. Charles County.
U.S. representatives are paid $174,000 per year.
WAGNER, 56, lists her address as P.O. Box 50, Ballwin. She and her husband, Ray, have three children and one grandchild. A 1980 graduate of Cor Jesu Academy, she received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri in 1984. She is a member of St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church. She is a former U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg (2005-2009), was a Lafayette Township committeewoman from 1996 to 2006, was a co-chair for the Republican National Committee from 2001 to 2003 and was the first woman to chair the Missouri Republican Party.
Social media: Website: annwagner.com Facebook: Ann4Congress Twitter: @AnnLWagner
VANOSTRAN, 30, lists his address as P.O. Box 16041, Clayton. He is an attorney for Gray, Ritter and Graham P.C. He is a Harvard University graduate and received a law degree from Washington University. He is a visiting lecturer in law and coordinates the Marshall Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project at Washington University in St. Louis. He also is on the board of the St. Louis Prison Performing Arts. He was on the Young Lawyers Division Board for the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and was a guest presenter and faculty member for the Missouri Scholars Academy.
Social media: Website: Cortforcongress.com Facebook: Cort VanOstran for Congress Twitter: @cortvo
What are your thoughts on how to protect insurance coverage for those who have pre-existing conditions?
Wagner: Protecting people with pre-existing conditions is one of my top priorities, which is why I am an original co-sponsor of the Pre-Existing Conditions Protection Act. This bill specifically maintains protections for people with pre-existing conditions, even if Obamacare is repealed. I am also an original co-sponsor of the Maintaining Protections for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, which adds protections for pre-existing conditions to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. We must lower premiums and stabilize health insurance markets by improving choices and encouraging wider coverage by creating patient-centered coverage options.
VanOstran: The Affordable Care Act isn’t perfect, but it created protections for people with pre-existing conditions – thousands of whom live in the 2nd District. Having asthma, cancer or diabetes should not bar you from accessing quality, affordable health insurance. My opponent voted seven times to strip protections from people with pre-existing conditions. In Congress I will work to strengthen protections for those with pre-existing conditions and expand access to health care.
What should Congress do to address the opioid crisis?
Wagner: Every day, 175 Americans die from opioid overdose. Combating this epidemic should be a top priority. I have worked to give law enforcement the tools they need to stop the flow of opioids and improve access to federal anti-drug resources. In Congress, we are taking action to prevent drug overdoses, provide treatment to those in need and keep the synthetic drug fentanyl from pouring into our country. We are giving communities the resources they need to fight back against this epidemic and offer hope for a better tomorrow.
VanOstran: We need to enact a public health solution for this public health crisis. Opioid addiction must be treated as a disease, not a crime. I will work to expand access to treatment, including medication-assisted treatment, and to hold care providers and drug companies accountable for reckless prescription practices. I’ve met too many people this year impacted by the opioid epidemic. We must take action with comprehensive legislation from Washington.
What steps should the federal government take to protect the integrity of our elections?
Wagner: As a former U.S. ambassador in Europe, I have worked for years to protect the integrity of our electoral process from foreign intervention. This is a nonpartisan issue. Open and fair elections are a hallmark of the American political system and must be protected at all costs. That is why I supported a House investigation into Russian government action, voted to levy sanctions against the Russian government and worked with the administration to continue imposing sanctions against Russian officials and oligarchs who have interfered in our elections.
VanOstran: Foreign meddling in our elections threatens the foundation of our democracy. Malicious actors must be fully investigated and held responsible. I also strongly oppose efforts to thwart voter registration or poll accessibility; we must encourage more Americans to vote, not create unnecessary barriers to participation in our democracy.
How would you address the ongoing federal deficit and national debt?
Wagner: Our government taxes too much, spends too much and regulates too much. We need to rein in the size and scope of the federal government while ensuring the long-term solvency of earned benefits like Social Security. The continued growth of our economy and the fact that families in the district will be keeping more of their paychecks is a good thing. I am working in Congress to reduce the reach of the federal government. We cannot solve the issues of our debt and deficit until we make substantial cuts to federal spending.
VanOstran: We need to reform our tax code to promote growth and create the sort of economy that will compete globally, but we shouldn’t be writing a blank check to the wealthiest Americans and sticking our kids with the bill. The tax cut that my opponent and the Trump administration pushed through cost almost $2 trillion, and many people in our district won’t see a penny. Finally, we need to reform the payroll tax system, and it is critical that we address the budget deficit, but we must do so without compromising earned benefit programs like Medicare and Social Security.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Wagner: Public service is not just a job, it’s a calling. Since I was sworn in, I have made it my mission to fight for the most vulnerable and give a voice to the voiceless. This means support for our veterans, fighting for those who are at risk of falling victim to sex trafficking, speaking for the unborn and being a voice for those who might otherwise be forgotten. I am proud that I have a record of results for this community and I believe that there is more work to be done.
VanOstran: I’m running to fight for better access to health care and education and because we deserve a representative who will work across the aisle to restore decency and stability in Washington. We deserve a representative who works for them, not for special interests. I’m refusing any money from corporate PACs because folks in our district are tired of having their voices drowned out by Washington lobbyists. I also believe we deserve a member of Congress who shows up, and I pledge to hold public town halls. I am running to work for all the people of the district.