Print
E-Mail
AIM
ReprintAfter nearly a decade out of politics, Vicky Hartzler is now asking for a second term in office.
A Republican representing the Fourth Congressional U.S. District of Missouri, Hartzler has aligned against many of President Barack Obama’s policies and says she should be the clear choice for voters come Nov. 6.
“I care about the people of this district,” said Hartzler, an Archie native and Harrisonville resident. “They deserve better government they’ve been getting. We need to enable freedom to reign in our personal lives.”
But what if Obama wins a second term in the White House?
“It’s going to be difficult because the President has a totally different philosophy,” she said. “I believe in less government, lower taxes and individual freedom. It will be difficult, but we have to find common ground because that’s what the people deserve.”
Prior to her upset of Ike Skelton in 2010, Hartzler had served in public office as the state representative for District 124 in Missouri.
In her two years as a U.S. Representative, Hartzler says she feels she has made strides in the House, including her stance against cuts to national defense and re-introducing the Leave our Lakes Alone Act in Congress.
“I’m very encouraged and excited about the support I am getting right now,” she said. “First and foremost, we need a strong national defense.”
Hartzler acknowledges the two-year term makes it difficult to effect immediate change, but that she has put measures into place to keep in contact with her constituents.
“That’s why we try to communicate a lot with town halls, and in fact I have 40 town hall events in person,” she said.
Among her current and past political experience, Hartzler says voters should give her a second term based on her broad life experiences.
“I’m a lifetime farmer, a public school teacher, worked with senior citizens and I’m a small business owner, besides being a wife and mom,” she said. “We need to focus on job creation and balancing the budget. One of my top agendas is job creation.”
Hartzler wants to remove barriers to job creation, including putting together a small business credit availability act, which would give businesses access to credit they need to create jobs.
In contrast, Hartzler has painted her opponent, Cass County Prosecutor Teresa Hensley, as anti-jobs.
“Her support of Obamacare would make it more difficult for businesses to hire,” Hartzler contends, adding Hensley wants to increase the inheritance (death) tax, according to a survey she filled out.
Hartzler said her first-term highlights in Washington, D.C., include helping people in the district cut through red tape, saving homes at the Lake of the Ozarks, increasing funding for the B-2 bombers out of Whiteman Air Force base and helping hundreds of veterans and senior citizens with social security and other assistance.
“I think my views reflect the views of the people in this district,” she said.
Hartzler points to differing views she and Hensley have, including energy issues, abortion and the traditional definition of marriage.
