Two Republicans vying for 3rd Congressional District seat

The Republican candidates for Missouri's 3rd Congressional District expressed similar viewpoints about the issues with Congress.

Both agreed the federal government arm has encroached too far into state and local government, and Congress should act to limit the federal government's power.

Incumbent Blaine Luetkemeyer and former Missouri Rep. Cynthia Davis are vying for the 3rd District seat. Luetkemeyer is in his fourth term and said there's more work that needs to be done, which is why he's running again.

Davis said she's been unsatisfied with Congress and claims Luetkeymeyer isn't voting as conservatively as he should.

"He's one of the worst among all of the Republicans," Davis said. "He's not voting lock-step with the Republicans. He's not standing tall and standing strong when it comes to issues conservatives care about. There are a few brave people in Washington, D.C.; those people need me to give them support."

Luetkemeyer said he thinks his record speaks for itself.

"When you're a majority, you have to lead," Luetkemeyer said. "When you're a minority, you can vote 'no' against anything, but when you're a majority you have to move issues forward and be a problem solver. I think my record shows I get things done. I'm more than happy to defend the votes I've taken."

The main issues he laid out start with the economy as the most pressing concern, followed by national security and immigration.

Over-regulation is burdening businesses, he said, especially small businesses, and has hindered the economy from growing. The government needs to "get out of the way" and let businesses flourish in order for the economy to improve, he said.

Even though the economy has been on the upswing since the 2008 recession, job growth is still a big concern for the people in his district, Luetkemeyer said.

Terrorist threats on national security have also been a looming issue with attacks linked to the ISIS organization.

"We have to keep terrorists from harming and disrupting our military bases and citizens," he said. "We need to work with them to thwart terrorist attacks. Right now, immigration is significant in the country. We want to bring in refugees that can't be vetted."

Davis blanketed the main issue to limiting the federal government.

"It's the duty of Congress to make laws, and Congress has punted the ball to all these bureaucratic entities to make the laws. And that's unconstitutional," she said. "The federal government wants to control our lakes and rivers, and they shouldn't be doing that. It's ever encroaching."

She cited education, business regulations and immigration as a few areas where the government has overstepped. Davis believes education should be left to the state level and took issue with federal programs, including Common Core.

Davis was also critical of allowing refugees into the United States because she said it puts the country's national security at risk.

"We can't plan for how many want to blow us up or shoot us up," she said. "How many times are we going to allow them to come here? It is a legitimate national security interest. We're not under any obligation to bring people in; we have to get our own house in order."

Nationwide there has been a lot of dissatisfaction with Congress, and Davis attested to that. The president is the only executive branch, so Congress can defund any program it wants, she said.

Luetkemeyer said it isn't necessarily Congress that's broken, but the system.

"The president is trying to use executive order to make laws," he said. "Congress makes laws, and the president doesn't want to work with Congress. It's supposed to be a check-and-balance system, and things are out of whack."

A vast number of bills die at the Senate level because 60 votes are required to begin or end debate on a bill. Last year, around 500 bills passed by the House died in the Senate, Luetkemeyer said.

"The politics that goes on is very frustrating," he said.

BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

Age: 64

Occupation: U.S. Congress for 3rd Congressional District

Hometown: St. Elizabeth

Why run: "I think we have to continue to do the work of the people," he said. "I have earned their respect and want to continue doing what we're doing. I think we can continue to be an effective voice of the people."

Past work experience: Luetkemeyer has experience raising cattle on his family's 160-acre farm but also as a small businessman working in banking and insurance. He served as a Missouri state representative from 1999-2005, was the chairman of the Financial Services Committee and was elected House Republican Caucus chairman, according to his website biography. After leaving office, Luetkemeyer was appointed by Gov. Matt Blunt to serve as the director of the Missouri Division of Tourism. Currently he is on the House Financial Services Committee and the House Small Business Committee and is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

Main issues: Luetkemeyer said he decided to run for another term because there is still more he can do for his district, the economy and job creation being one of the main issues. Some of the work he's most proud of is individual constituent work that never makes the headlines.

Family: Luetkemeyer and his wife of 40 years, Jackie, have three children and four grandchildren. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Eldon Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Farm Bureau, National Rifle Association and St. Lawrence Catholic Church, according to his biography.

CYNTHIA DAVIS

Age: 56

Occupation: Back to Basics Christian Book Store; also hosts "Home Front," a weekly radio show on the Missouri Grassroots Radio Network and Restoration of America Radio

Hometown: O'Fallon

Why run? "I never could get away from studying what's happening in our nation," she said. "It's appalling when you've been in office to look at what they've done to the country, and it's only gotten worse since you left. Standing back on the sidelines isn't getting us where we need to go."

Past work experience: Davis, a former state representative, has been dissatisfied with Congress and decided to throw her hat in the ring for the position. Davis and her husband, Bernie, moved to Missouri 31 years ago from the Boston area and opened a Christian bookstore a few years later.

Starting in 1994, she was on the O'Fallon city council for five terms then was elected to four terms in the Missouri House of Representatives until she was term-limited in 2011. During her time as a state representative, Davis served as the majority floor whip, chairman of two legislative committees and vice chairwoman of two other legislative committees.

Main issues: On her website, Davis champions some of her legislative success with "being the first legislator to file the Healthcare Freedom Act" and being a proponent of parent rights, supporting pro-life and marriage legislation.

Family: She has been married to Bernie Davis for more than 35 years. They have seven children and 10 grandchildren.