Race for 9th District U.S. Congress

STATE: Governor \| Lt. Governor \| Attorney General \| Treasurer \| 9th Dist. U.S. Congress \| 23rd Dist. State Rep. \| 25th Dist. State Rep.

COUNTY: Assessor \| Public Administrator \| Southern District Commissioner \| Other races

INTRODUCTION VOTER INFO Registering to vote: If you haven’t done this yet, it’s too late for this primary. In the future, you’ll need to be registered by the fourth Wednesday before an election. If you want to vote in the Nov. 4 general election, for example, you’ll have to register by Oct. 8. You can visit the Boone County clerk’s Web site for details on where and how to register. Where to vote: You can find your polling place at the clerk’s Web site as well. Click on the link “Find your polling place,” then type in your name. Your polling location will be provided. A list of all polling places is also available on the Web site. If you've moved since last election: You’ll need to file a change of address before you vote. You can do this at the clerk’s Web site by completing the “change of address” form online or printing the form and mailing it to Wendy S. Noren, Boone County Clerk, 801 E. Walnut St., Room 236, Columbia, MO 65201-7731. Another option is to simply mail in your name, old address, new address, mailing address (if different), date of birth, telephone number (optional), signature and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. When to vote: The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. What to take: Bring some form of identification to the polling location. Acceptable forms include a Boone County voter ID card, a driver’s license, a state-issued ID, an ID card from an institution of higher education, a federally issued identification such as a passport, a Social Security card, or a Medicaid or Medicare card, a copy of a current bank statement, a utility bill, or a government document that shows your name and address. What to expect: Boone County’s optical scan voting system requires the voter to darken a circle next to the candidate they choose. In the primary election, voters must request a party-specific ballot. Some polling places also will have electronic voting machines. If you can't go: Absentee ballots are available for those unable to vote in person on Tuesday because of a temporary absence from the county, religious beliefs, military service, incarceration (but retained voting privileges) or confinement due to injury or illness. You can apply for an absentee ballot through the Elections Division of the Boone County Clerk’s Office or vote in person in the office until 5 p.m. the day before the election. For more information: Call the voter information hot line at 875-8683.	RACE FOR 9TH DISTRICT U.S. CONGRESS By CATHERINE MCCOMB and ROSEANN MORING news@columbiamissourian.com COLUMBIA — Ninth District U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof’s decision to run for Missouri governor created a whirlwind of interest among politicians and others eager to fill the congressional seat. Republican and Democratic voters on Tuesday will have plenty of choices as they decide who to nominate for the position. There is one Libertarian candidate, as well. Republicans Bob Onder State Rep. Bob Onder, 46, of Lake St. Louis, has been in the Missouri House, where he represents the 13th District, for two years. He has a juris doctorate from St. Louis University and a medical degree from Washington University. He practices medicine as an allergist in St. Charles County. Onder said his priorities would be to lower taxes and fight against illegal immigration and abortion. Dan Bishir Dan Bishir, 55, was the building inspector for St. Peters for 13 years before he retired early to pursue the congressional post. He said the economy, immigration, education and taxes are his biggest priorities. He has also proposed an American Foreign Legion, which he said would improve both the U.S. economy and reduce immigration problems. Bishir said he is running as an average citizen in the 9th District and knows how to best represent its constituents’ interests. Danie Moore State Rep. Danie Moore of Fulton has been in the Missouri House, where she represents the 20th District, for eight years. In that time, she has served on the Budget Committee, which she said will help her work with the federal budget, even in tough times. Before she was a legislator, Moore was a high school French and English teacher for 26 years. She and her husband also own a small business, Target Masters, an indoor shooting range in Columbia. Moore, 62, said her top issues are national security, public safety, education and job preparedness. Brock Olivo Brock Olivo, a former running back for the Missouri Tigers and the Detroit Lions football teams who graduated from MU in 2001, got a master’s degree in marketing and communications from the Universita di Bologna in 2007. He said that his lack of political experience should be a plus and that he wants to reclaim Congress for the average person. Olivo said that the most important issue is the economy and that he would help small businesses through health care reform, lower taxes and try to reduce gas prices by encouraging drilling for domestic oil and eventually reducing dependence on oil altogether. He also wants to implement comprehensive energy reform. Blaine Luetkemeyer Blaine Luetkemeyer, 56, is the former director of the Missouri Division of Tourism. For six years he was a state representative from St. Elizabeth, where he owns a small farm. Luetkemeyer said the federal government’s primary responsibility is defending the country. That includes the Iraq war and illegal immigration. He also said lowering taxes and oil prices to help fix the economy would be a priority for him, and that he would work to fight against abortion. Democrats Steve Gaw Former Public Service Commission Chairman Steve Gaw, 51, holds a law degree from MU. He was elected for four terms as the 22nd District representative to the Missouri House and served as speaker for six years. Gaw said he wants to improve the economy by working with U.S. allies to end the war in Iraq. He said he wants to decrease the cost of health care by reforming the laws that surround the health insurance industry. He said eliminating budget deficits, closing loopholes for jobs that send jobs offshore and smarter spending on investments such as education and infrastructure, rather than the war in Iraq, would improve the economy. Judy Baker State Rep. Judy Baker, 48, is in her second term as the 25th District representative in the Missouri House and has spent 18 years as a health care administrator. She supports plans to withdraw troops from Iraq. To improve the economy, Baker said she would look at reducing the deficit and government spending on all levels. She said she would eliminate wasteful spending in the health care system and provide universal access. She also has proposed a plan to allow veterans covered by the Veterans Administration to receive care through private hospitals. Lyndon Bode Marion County Presiding Commissioner Lyndon Bode, 44, has spent 14 years in his office. Bode said he is most interested in rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure by funneling federal money to state and county governments. He is interested in balancing the federal budget, a goal he backs up with his history of balanced budgets during his terms as commissioner. Bode said withdrawing troops from Iraq is also a priority, but that setting a timetable for withdrawal would be a poor strategic decision unless the Iraqi government sets a timetable to take full control of the country. Ken Jacob Former State Sen. Ken Jacob, 59, is the general counsel to the state auditor. He spent 14 years as a state representative from Columbia and eight years — including three as minority leader — in the Missouri Senate. Jacob said he is most interested in cutting government spending, starting with the war in Iraq. He said it is important that the United States increase domestic production in order to improve the economy. He also supports universal health care coverage and has proposed a plan to increase funding for Veterans Administration medical services. Libertarian Tamara Millay Former Greendale City Marshal Tamara Millay, 41, is the only Libertarian candidate in the Ninth District race. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Webster University and works as a researcher at Washington University’s School of Medicine. Millay’s top priorities are ending the war in Iraq and cutting government spending to give taxpayers more freedom in how their money is spent. She is also interested in ending the war on drugs because it is ineffective, she said.

INTRODUCTION

VOTER INFO

Registering to vote:

If you haven’t done this yet, it’s too late for this primary. In the future, you’ll need to be registered by the fourth Wednesday before an election. If you want to vote in the Nov. 4 general election, for example, you’ll have to register by Oct. 8. You can visit the Boone County clerk’s Web site for details on where and how to register.

Where to vote:

You can find your polling place at the clerk’s Web site as well. Click on the link “Find your polling place,” then type in your name. Your polling location will be provided. A list of all polling places is also available on the Web site.

If you've moved since last election:

You’ll need to file a change of address before you vote. You can do this at the clerk’s Web site by completing the “change of address” form online or printing the form and mailing it to Wendy S. Noren, Boone County Clerk, 801 E. Walnut St., Room 236, Columbia, MO 65201-7731. Another option is to simply mail in your name, old address, new address, mailing address (if different), date of birth, telephone number (optional), signature and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

When to vote:

The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

What to take:

Bring some form of identification to the polling location. Acceptable forms include a Boone County voter ID card, a driver’s license, a state-issued ID, an ID card from an institution of higher education, a federally issued identification such as a passport, a Social Security card, or a Medicaid or Medicare card, a copy of a current bank statement, a utility bill, or a government document that shows your name and address.

What to expect:

Boone County’s optical scan voting system requires the voter to darken a circle next to the candidate they choose. In the primary election, voters must request a party-specific ballot. Some polling places also will have electronic voting machines.

If you can't go:

Absentee ballots are available for those unable to vote in person on Tuesday because of a temporary absence from the county, religious beliefs, military service, incarceration (but retained voting privileges) or confinement due to injury or illness. You can apply for an absentee ballot through the Elections Division of the Boone County Clerk’s Office or vote in person in the office until 5 p.m. the day before the election.

For more information:

Call the voter information hot line at 875-8683.

RACE FOR 9TH DISTRICT U.S. CONGRESS

By CATHERINE MCCOMB and ROSEANN MORING
news@columbiamissourian.com

COLUMBIA — Ninth District U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof’s decision to run for Missouri governor created a whirlwind of interest among politicians and others eager to fill the congressional seat. Republican and Democratic voters on Tuesday will have plenty of choices as they decide who to nominate for the position. There is one Libertarian candidate, as well.

Republicans

Bob Onder

State Rep. Bob Onder, 46, of Lake St. Louis, has been in the Missouri House, where he represents the 13th District, for two years.

He has a juris doctorate from St. Louis University and a medical degree from Washington University.

He practices medicine as an allergist in St. Charles County.

Onder said his priorities would be to lower taxes and fight against illegal immigration and abortion.

Dan Bishir

Dan Bishir, 55, was the building inspector for St. Peters for 13 years before he retired early to pursue the congressional post.

He said the economy, immigration, education and taxes are his biggest priorities.

He has also proposed an American Foreign Legion, which he said would improve both the U.S. economy and reduce immigration problems.

Bishir said he is running as an average citizen in the 9th District and knows how to best represent its constituents’ interests.

Danie Moore

State Rep. Danie Moore of Fulton has been in the Missouri House, where she represents the 20th District, for eight years.

In that time, she has served on the Budget Committee, which she said will help her work with the federal budget, even in tough times. Before she was a legislator, Moore was a high school French and English teacher for 26 years.

She and her husband also own a small business, Target Masters, an indoor shooting range in Columbia.

Moore, 62, said her top issues are national security, public safety, education and job preparedness.

Brock Olivo

Brock Olivo, a former running back for the Missouri Tigers and the Detroit Lions football teams who graduated from MU in 2001, got a master’s degree in marketing and communications from the Universita di Bologna in 2007.

He said that his lack of political experience should be a plus and that he wants to reclaim Congress for the average person.

Olivo said that the most important issue is the economy and that he would help small businesses through health care reform, lower taxes and try to reduce gas prices by encouraging drilling for domestic oil and eventually reducing dependence on oil altogether.

He also wants to implement comprehensive energy reform.

Blaine Luetkemeyer

Blaine Luetkemeyer, 56, is the former director of the Missouri Division of Tourism.

For six years he was a state representative from St. Elizabeth, where he owns a small farm.

Luetkemeyer said the federal government’s primary responsibility is defending the country. That includes the Iraq war and illegal immigration.

He also said lowering taxes and oil prices to help fix the economy would be a priority for him, and that he would work to fight against abortion.

Democrats

Steve Gaw

Former Public Service Commission Chairman Steve Gaw, 51, holds a law degree from MU.

He was elected for four terms as the 22nd District representative to the Missouri House and served as speaker for six years.

Gaw said he wants to improve the economy by working with U.S. allies to end the war in Iraq. He said he wants to decrease the cost of health care by reforming the laws that surround the health insurance industry.

He said eliminating budget deficits, closing loopholes for jobs that send jobs offshore and smarter spending on investments such as education and infrastructure, rather than the war in Iraq, would improve the economy.

Judy Baker

State Rep. Judy Baker, 48, is in her second term as the 25th District representative in the Missouri House and has spent 18 years as a health care administrator.

She supports plans to withdraw troops from Iraq. To improve the economy, Baker said she would look at reducing the deficit and government spending on all levels.

She said she would eliminate wasteful spending in the health care system and provide universal access.

She also has proposed a plan to allow veterans covered by the Veterans Administration to receive care through private hospitals.

Lyndon Bode

Marion County Presiding Commissioner Lyndon Bode, 44, has spent 14 years in his office.

Bode said he is most interested in rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure by funneling federal money to state and county governments.

He is interested in balancing the federal budget, a goal he backs up with his history of balanced budgets during his terms as commissioner.

Bode said withdrawing troops from Iraq is also a priority, but that setting a timetable for withdrawal would be a poor strategic decision unless the Iraqi government sets a timetable to take full control of the country.

Ken Jacob

Former State Sen. Ken Jacob, 59, is the general counsel to the state auditor.

He spent 14 years as a state representative from Columbia and eight years — including three as minority leader — in the Missouri Senate.

Jacob said he is most interested in cutting government spending, starting with the war in Iraq. He said it is important that the United States increase domestic production in order to improve the economy.

He also supports universal health care coverage and has proposed a plan to increase funding for Veterans Administration medical services.

Libertarian

Tamara Millay

Former Greendale City Marshal Tamara Millay, 41, is the only Libertarian candidate in the Ninth District race.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Webster University and works as a researcher at Washington University’s School of Medicine.

Millay’s top priorities are ending the war in Iraq and cutting government spending to give taxpayers more freedom in how their money is spent.

She is also interested in ending the war on drugs because it is ineffective, she said.