To Blaine Luetkemeyer, Missouri's 3rd Congressional District feels like home.
A St. Elizabeth native, Luetkemeyer began severing the 3rd District in 2009. Luetkemeyer, a Republican, said he feels lucky to live in a community with residents who pride themselves on hard work and conservative, faith-based values.
He wants a sixth two-year term because he believes middle-class Americans are prospering and he wants to see that continue.
"Missouri has been home to my family for generations," he said. "We need to continue to work on policy the president is setting, and I want to work on growing the economy and growing jobs."
Luetkemeyer, 66, operates a 160-acre farm in St. Elizabeth with his wife, Jackie, where they raised their three children. He graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, where he majored in political science and got a minor in business administration.
His career in public service dates back to 1999, when he began serving in the Missouri House of Representatives. Luetkemeyer served there until 2005 and later served as the Missouri Division of Tourism director. In 2008, he was elected to represent the 3rd District and began serving in the seat in 2009.
Being active in public service means being active in a community, Luetkemeyer said.
"This is an extension of what I've been doing for a long time," he said.
Americans worry more about having good-paying jobs more than any other issue, Luetkemeyer said. For him, the formula is simple: Create an environment where businesses can succeed, and all Americans will win.
When Luetkemeyer took office in January 2009, Jefferson City's unemployment rate was 7.1 percent, according to U.S. Department of Labor data. The city reached nearly full employment at 4 percent in October 2014 as the country continued to recover from the Great Recession. Since then, Jefferson City's unemployment rate has continued to fall, reaching as low as 2 percent last October.
Last year, Luetkmeyer voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which he believes will fuel more growth for years to come. The bill dropped corporate tax rates from 35 percent to 21 percent. Individual tax rates generally fell by 3-4 percent, and the seven personal income tax brackets were restructured. Under the new law, the standard deduction doubled to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples who file jointly.
Critics of the tax plan argue investors may be the biggest winners from the tax overhaul. U.S. public companies bought back $436.6 billion worth of their own stock in the second quarter, according to CNN Money.
Luetkemeyer brushed off criticism of the tax bill and said that when companies invest in themselves by buying back their shares, it bolsters 401(k) plans of all Americans and allows for growth.
"This is important at a time like this for them to shore up their company, to make it stronger, which gives them more leverage to go out and expand if they want to," Luetkemeyer said. "People think this is just money going down a rat hole. It's not."
Luetkemeyer said he knows he's in for a tough battle from his challengers, Democrat Katy Geppert and Libertarian Donald Stolle.
Still, he believes the changes made by Republicans to the nation's tax code and regulatory environment are benefiting middle-class Missourians and businesses. He hopes voters will recognize that.
"In talking with the citizens and small businesses in my district; they appreciate that we in Congress are committed to improve the economy and help them be able to have a future for their kids and grandkids," Luetkemeyer said.