MIssouri 18th District State Senate Race - FINAL STATEMENTS

by BENJAMIN C. NELSON

I contacted all Republican Candidates for the Missouri 18th District State Senate Race (there is only one Democrat running). Those Republican Candidates are Businesswoman Cindy O'Laughlin, State Representatives Craig Redmon, Lindell Shumake, and Nate Walker. The 18th District covers the following counties in Northern Missouri: Adair, Chariton, Clark, Knox, Lewis, Linn, Macon, Marion, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, and Shelby. Voters must draw a Republican Ballot to vote for the Republican Candidates of the 18th District Race in tomorrow's Primary Election. The winner of tomorrow's primary election, will face Crystal Stephens who is the only Democrat in the race in the election in November. The winner of the November Race will be the successor of termed-out Senator Brian Munzlinger. The following are the questions that I sent to each campaign:

1. Why are you running? What experience do you have?

2. What are your priorities if elected?

3. What do you make of the constant political attack pieces that are filling the mailboxes of constituents, daily?

4. Where do you think Missouri can most improve on?

5. What is the biggest highlight in the 18th district?

6. what is a highlight of your experience on the campaign trail?

7. Feel free to include anything else at this time!

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE ANSWERS FROM BUSINESSWOMAN CINDY O'LAUGHLIN

1. Why are you running? What experience do you have?

I am running because I was inspired by Donald Trump’s take on making government work like a business. I didn’t see that type of effort coming from the state representatives in the race. I am the only outsider running for state senate and many of my friends in Macon encouraged me to run (we attend church and own a business here). I see a need for economic expansion in Northeast Missouri—opportunities for our families to remain in the area. Our small towns and counties face an uphill battle. We need to change that trajectory if we are to achieve progress. I am not going to the capitol to make friends, but to fight for our conservative values and principles and then come back home. As a Christian wife, mother, and grandmother, I think we need someone fighting for our traditional values in office.

My personal experience is in running a business: facing unforeseen difficulties and adjusting to continue to be financially sound. Leo O’Laughlin, Inc. now has four plants: one in Shelbina, Marceline, La Belle, and one in Macon. We need people in the legislature who have business experience - people who know what it takes to bring jobs to the area, not just politics. I know that the backbone of our region is agriculture, and I will make sure to protect our farmers’ land and property rights. At the same time, I know we need to also maintain a diverse economy to bring employers and businesses to the region.

2. What are your priorities if elected?

My first priority is to create more jobs through economic development. This means supporting our thriving agriculture industry, while also investing in rural infrastructure, including high-speed internet. Our region can compete economically with the rest of the state if smart, public investments were made. I intend to fight for those. I also support public education and our rural schools. I’m opposed to common core, by any name, in the classroom. We have some brilliant teachers, staff, and school boards who know a lot more about what the curriculum should be and how to educate our children then a government bureaucrat does. I want to return power of education to a local level and to protect our public schools.

Finally, I intend to prioritize our individual, God-given and constitutional rights—the right to bear arms, the right to life, religious liberty and property rights. I hope to address the issue of eminent domain and to strengthen the property rights of farmers and landowners if elected.

3. What do you make of the constant political attack pieces that are filling the mailboxes of constituents, daily?

The advertising is ugly and unfortunate. My name and my family are being attacked. I’ve been accused of just about everything. I understand political campaigns talking about whether someone misses votes or doesn’t pay their taxes, but the make-believe things are an example of everything that’s wrong with politics these days.

I’m particularly troubled by the faceless advertising promoted by the trial lawyers funding one campaign through the Missouri’s Future Political Action Committee. Their ads against me have been appalling, and the fact that so much money coming in from outside the region makes me think they do not have the interests of Northeast Missouri at heart. These trial lawyers know I will never settle with them in Jefferson City.

4. Where do you think Missouri can most improve on?

First of all, and most importantly, I want to find ways to develop our state’s workforce. There are jobs left empty because there are people without the skills to fill them. There is an overabundance of college degrees and a shortage of skilled labor and trade. Our government has pushed kids to go to college, but nowadays, it is the trades and vocational training where the most available, well-paying jobs are. I believe in strengthening our workforce through increased skilled and vocational training.

Hand-in-hand with that, we must address the issue of entitlements. Certain welfare programs almost encourage folks to either seek low paying jobs or remain unemployed in order to retain government benefits. We need to make sure these programs encourage people to return to work and get full-time jobs. The success of welfare should be measured in the number of people who get off it, not the number of people who are enrolled.

5. What is the biggest highlight in the 18th district?

The biggest highlight and most important asset in our area is the people. Here in Northeast Missouri, we have people who know how to take the initiative and thrive, despite the challenges. What’s more, they do it with a sense of humor and grace. I believe that in Northeast Missouri, you can catch a rare glimpse of the American spirit in its purest form: that of a hardy people, unafraid of hard work, who help one another, and recognizes that our help comes from God, and not the government.

That is why I know that our region can succeed and prosper. The people here have adapted and survived for hundreds of years to make our communities strong and a great place to live. It has been amazing to go to talk to shop owners, farmers, teachers, police officers, and religious leaders who have overcome the odds to make a real difference in their community. Our families, friends, and neighbors deserve leadership that puts them above anything else, a leader who is not interested in a fancy title or looking for an upgrade. They deserve someone who has taken the time to get to know their struggles and will fight to preserve our freedoms and our way of life.

6. what is a highlight of your experience on the campaign trail?

I am proud to have received an endorsement from Missouri Right to Life and an A rating from the NRA. I have met folks who have persevered and met challenges with enduring optimism and grit. In short, I have been inspired by some of the stories I have gotten to hear.

There’s JoAnn Smiley, the mayor of Clarksville, who has been sacrificing her time and energy to keep the small town along the Mississippi running for over 10 years. There’s “Trailer Man” down in Louisiana, who forwent going to secondary school and now owns and operates a thriving trailer business. Even Macon’s own mayor Talt Holman, who, like me, is a business owner who decided that something different needed to be done in government. I have heard hundreds of moving stories and testimonials like these. It has only grown my love and appreciation for Northeast Missouri even more.

7. Feel free to include anything else at this time!

I simply ask the people of Northeast Missouri for their support. I ask that they ignore the noise, ignore the vitriol and attack ads, and to look at the facts. If you had told me a couple years ago that I would be running for an office in Jefferson City, I would have just laughed. I am running because I believe we deserve a voice accountable to the people, not to the establishment, not to special interest groups, and certainly not to trial lawyers. Like many of you, I saw in 2016 a wave of outsiders come into office, including President Trump and the governor. They took on the establishment, they challenged the politicians, and the establishment gave them heck for it. They managed to oust the governor, even with the help of some of the representatives I’m running against, and they are still trying to impeach Trump.

I know full well that I am in the cross hairs of these same groups. But the people of Northeast Missouri deserve a person who is willing to prioritize them. They deserve a leader who is willing to take the heat and put up a fight to preserve our Conservative values. I humbly ask for the support to win this race and to make Missouri a better place to live.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE ANSWERS FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG REDMON:

NAME: Craig Redmon

AGE: 59

TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Canton

PROFESSION/EMPLOYER: Appraiser/Small Business Owner

1. Why are you running? What experience do you have?

I want to ensure that the people who reside in northeast have a strong fighter for their issues. As a state representative, I am proud of fighting for the first tax cut in 100 years. I have the practical life experience as a small business owner, husband, father and grandfather that is important in Jefferson City. I have common sense and will listen to the concerns of the voters. I have the leadership and experience to get people to the bargaining table to continue to work on issues such as infrastructure, workforce development, education and the needs of our senior citizens. My service on both the local school board and as a state representative have helped teach me where to find the best solutions for the citizens of northeast Missouri. I look forward to finding ways to continue a practical approach to our issues, as the next state senator.

2. What are your priorities if elected?

To improve infrastructure, workforce development and opportunities for our families. These three items are interrelated. When we have good infrastructure and we remove the hurdles that are in workforce development we have more opportunities for our families. First, making sure that the Missouri budget stays solid and we maintain our AAA bond rating are a priority. Some of the projects for infrastructure will require bonding, and just like our individual households keeping a good credit rating opens more opportunities and lowers end cost. If a business decides to move here we need to have flexibility in programs and funding, our neighboring state of Illinois will see how the reduced bond rating becomes an issue. I believe we need to reemphasize two year degrees, specialty certifications and vocational choices as part of the workforce development.

3. What do you make of the constant political attack pieces that are filling the mailboxes of constituents, daily?

My campaign approved only positive mail pieces. I encourage everyone who ask me to look at a piece long enough to know who paid for it and decide if that is the person they want representing them in the senate.

4. Where do you think Missouri can most improve on?

Our roads and bridges are in terrible disrepair. It is really bad when our rural bridges are shut down and school buses and homeowners have to travel 45 minutes or more on a detour. There are over 3000 structurally deficient bridges in Missouri. Our grandparents left us a tremendous infrastructure and it is our responsibility to maintain it so that our children are not left driving over rubble. The gas tax is not a percentage like income and sales taxes. It is a user fee and does not automatically adjust for inflation. It is time to readjust the motor fuel tax to account for the harsh realities of inflation. It is important to note that local communities share in motor fuel tax revenues. 15% of the fuel tax goes to cities and 15% goes to counties. That empowers our local leaders to meet the needs of their communities. Finally, our state law enforcement is largely funded out of the road fund and I believe in supporting our troopers. I support Proposition D because I know it will save lives by repairing our infrastructure and protecting our troopers.

5. What is the biggest highlight in the 18th district?

The good, hard working people who want to make things better. They want guidance to start businesses and help with training. They want their communities to be strong for future generations. For the most part they want government to get out of their way and help by reducing burdensome regulations.

6. what is a highlight of your experience on the campaign trail?

The highlight has been realizing how diverse the district is. Meeting people and learning about the different types of manufacturing and industry that are part of the vast 14 counties have been enjoyable and I look forward to continuing to do so. As a district an asset available is our infrastructure for rail, road and river used for transportation of goods and products, not a combination that every senate district has access to. I look forward to finding more ways to put them to work for all of us.

7. Feel free to include anything else at this time!

I want people to vote for the person that will be there to help them when government isn’t delivering on a promise or has added so many regulations that they can’t stay in business. I want to be that person that they call. I want to be the person they call when their mother’s nursing home paperwork isn’t processing or their insurance isn’t responding to a request. I know these frustrating situations take a toll on our lives and I want to be there to help. Only a person who has served can be ready on day one to help the good, hardworking citizens of northeast Missouri.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE ANSWERS FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE LINDELL SHUMAKE:

1. Why are you running? What experience do you have?

One of the greatest honors of my lifetime is to serve as 5th District State Representative. At first, I was planning to complete my time in the House and be finished, but as I approached my final term, I had the impression that my work as a legislator was not completed. I want to see legislation that will strengthen the Missouri family, protect religious freedom, and will make Missouri a great place to live, work, educate and raise a family. The 18th Senate District is huge and any candidate must be willing to adequately represent the entire district.

Being a State Senator requires knowledge in many areas of life. I am a Vietnam Veteran and the only candidate in the Republican Primary race with active military experience. We live in a global economy and foreign trade is very important to the State of Missouri. Through my experience as a minister, University Board of Trustees Chairman, legislator, and adoptive parent, I have been blessed to travel to: the Philippines, Malaysia, Korea, China, Mongolia, Taiwan, Australia, and Vietnam (both as a soldier and civilian).

I have been a state employee for Division of Family Services for 20 years, an owner of Kan-Man Metal Recycling and currently an owner of LS Tax Service Inc, being enrolled to practice before the IRS. I continue to be a Volunteer-in-Corrections and Hospital Chaplain. I have served on several House Committees including being Chairman of the Elections and Elected Officials Committee and Small Business, Agriculture, Tax Reform, Administration and Accounts, Elementary and Secondary Education, Veterans, Rules-Legislative Oversight and Children and Families.

2. What are your priorities if elected?

Missouri continues to have the problem of Veteran’s Nursing Care. There are 1,800 to 2,000 veterans on a waiting list wanting a placement in a Veteran’s Nursing Home. I have sponsored a veteran’s home bonding resolution 3 times as a House member. I plan to continue to explore ways to ensure our aging and disabled veterans get the care they deserve. For most of my time in the General Assembly the discussion has been about job creation. Now the challenge is to fill those jobs with qualified and trained workers. Workforce Development is now a key issue. I believe we must promote job training and pass public assistance reforms that will encourage able-bodied people who have left the workforce to re-join the work force. Having served as the Chairman of Elections and Elected Officials Committee, I have become aware of election issues that need to be addressed. I believe voters would have greater confidence in our electoral system if systems that do not use paper ballots are phased out. Also, I believe that our federal Electoral College system must be preserved.

3. What do you make of the constant political attack pieces that are filling the mailboxes of constituents, daily?

It is unfortunate that a Republican Primary has become so contentious. I have endeavored in this campaign to live by Ronald Reagan’s 11th commandment. “Thou shall not speak evil of another Republican”. Our campaign has not done negative ads, and no negative ads have been done against me in this campaign. I have a good relationship with each of the other candidates. Perhaps our positive approach has contributed to the absence of political rancor for Shumake for State Senate.

4. Where do you think Missouri can most improve on?

We must deal with the problem of retention of Correctional Officers in Missouri’s prison system. The first solution that comes to mind is increasing their salary to an amount that will encourage them to stay. I realize the difficulty of this from the budget perspective, but I expect the improving economy will increase our ability to do this. This can also be coupled with using alternatives to incarceration where feasible.

Farming is a business and the same thing that can help any other business, such as lower taxes and fewer regulations, can help agriculture. One of the biggest challenges with farming is encouraging younger people to engage in farming. The average age of the Missouri farmer increased from age 54 to 58 in 2012. Farming in Missouri is the number 1 industry with 55.4 billion in inputs, and 33 billion in value-added areas, such as ethanol. Agriculture and forestry accounts for 1 in 10 jobs, and 90% of farms are family owned businesses in Missouri. I believe that our MU extension continues to perform an important function for our farmers. Also, our foreign trade efforts, such as the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Taiwan and Missouri regarding grain sales last year, helps to insure foreign customers. World demand for food will increase and Missouri can be prepared to supply it. Government can help by keeping taxes low with fewer regulations.

5. What is the biggest highlight in the 18th district?

The 18th District has huge potential for growth. The rich agricultural economy, the intersection of major highways, our educational institutions, manufacturing, lakes and parks, railroads, the Mississippi River, and our religious institutions are all great assets to a great region.

6. What is the highlight of your experience on the campaign trail?

There have been a number of enjoyable and memorable moments in this campaign. The biggest highlight is meeting the people at parades and other events. It is especially gratifying to meet veterans in the various communities, to trade notes, and thank them for their service.

7. Feel free to include anything else at this time.

My sincere hope is that the spiritual, economic and social climate of Missouri will improve in the days ahead.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE ANSWERS FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE NATE WALKER:

1. Why are you running? What experience do you have?

I am running because I believe that the government has grown too big and bloated to serve Missouri Citizens effectively. In the Senate, I will work hard to make government smaller, more effective and accountable. Our personal liberties are at the forefront of what I will hold sacred in this campaign for State Senate. I will always fight for our god-given Rights, the sanctity of life, and the Second Amendment.

I have had a diverse professional career and extensive experience that make me uniquely qualified to be your next Senator. I have owned a small business where I had to make payroll and learn the challenges a small business owner and entrepreneur can face. I am a farmer, I have raised cattle and I have worked on family farms in Macon and Shelby Counties so I understand the challenges of today's’ farmer. I have served North Missouri in downtown, community, and economic development and worked on national, state, and regional transportation and traffic safety issues - I understand the needs and challenges of local government. My work as State Representative gives me the experience and knowledge that get things done by working together across party lines for the greater good of all Missourians.

2. What are your priorities if elected?

Protecting property rights, fighting burdensome regulations, and supporting the end of the inheritance tax on family farms are all priorities for me, because my agriculture background is who I am. I will also continue my work in protecting the Constitution, strengthening gun owner’s rights, and protecting the lives of the unborn.

3. What do you make of the constant political attack pieces that are filling the mailboxes of constituents, daily?

It is incredibly unfortunate that this has happened and I have been attacked and misrepresented repeatedly on completely baseless claims. I’d like to set the record straight. The simple truth is that I have only missed 8 votes out of more than 4,000 cast in my last 6 years in the House of Representatives. I was elected to voice the concerns of the constituents of my district - and I will always serve to fight for the people of Northern Missouri.

4. Where do you think Missouri can most improve on?

Missouri must work on strengthening our education system and improving our economy. We must fully fund our public education system and develop curriculum with a focus on building a workforce for today’s changing economy. I support increased training for technical and trade craftsmen to attract new businesses and more jobs to our region. I am also committed deeply to promoting increased local control to our school districts - ensuring our teachers have the power and resources they need to best educate our children.

5. What is the biggest highlight in the 18th district?

The people of the 18th Senate District are known for our work ethic and we need to capitalize on this principle to pave the way for change. Right now, businesses in our neighboring state of Illinois are fleeing due to high taxes and overregulation. As Senator, I’ll ensure that entrepreneurs and business owners know that Northern Missouri is the perfect place to relocate.

6. What is a highlight of your experience on the campaign trail?

I am deeply humbled by the outpouring of support I have had since we kicked off this campaign last October. Whether I’m in Macon, Moberly, Hannibal, my hometown of Kirksville or other wonderful communities within the 18th District; the people of Northern Missouri are some of the best and hardest working I have ever had the honor of knowing. I look forward to serving the great citizens of the 18th Senate District.

7. Feel free to include anything else at this time!

I was raised in a community where hard work was not just a value, but a necessity. The average person now must work over 100 days just to pay their annual tax bill, and that is wrong. In will work hard to shrink the tax burden and government regulations.

I have been proud to represent the citizens of the 3rd District since 2012 and I will continue to ensure that the interests of the 18th District are well represented if I am elected to the State Senate. I vow to continue to fight to protect our private property rights, fight to end the inheritance tax on our family farms, and always stand up to protect our Second Amendment rights and the rights of the unborn.