VOTERS GUIDE: Kristi Nichols

Kristi Nichols calls herself “an independent tea party Republican.”

She grew up in Lee's Summit, where she took to the sidelines as a cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs during high school. Nichols then spent 20 years as a flight attendant with Delta Airlines. After jetting around the world and visiting 12 different countries, Nichols put down roots back in the Kansas City area.

Nichols, a Republican, spent 12 years volunteering at the Jackson County Detention Center and dedicated her time helping with her church’s outreach programs.

Now, running for U.S. Senate, she said her volunteer work helped her build the skills necessary in thinking up innovative ways of problem solving.

“It’s important for Missourians to know that there are people in the business community who have insightful ideas,” she said. “If you have a certain budget to stick to, you have to come up with an innovative idea that will fit the situation.”

Nichols is also setting her focus on revamping the health care system, which she argues is unconstitutional.

“According to the 10th Amendment, the American people can’t be required to purchase anything from the federal government,” she said.

Her priorities also include cutting out deficit spending and requiring a balanced budget.

“We can’t sustain our economy and hope for economic recovery when we’re spending money we don’t have,” she said.