Luetkemeyer emphasizes fiscal responsibility
The former rep. emphasizes his experience working on a farm and in the banking industry.
Oct. 10, 2008
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With the economy struggling, the Republican nominee in Missouri's 9th U.S. Congressional District, Blaine Luetkemeyer, is emphasizing energy independence and financial and banking responsibility.
Luetkemeyer, who has a history in the banking industry, said his experience is an asset in dealing with the economic downturn.
"With the financial crisis that the country is facing, I think that it gives me a lot of insight into why these things happen, the solutions on the table, where we are going to go from here," Luetkemeyer said.
Immediately after graduating from Lincoln University in 1974, Luetkemeyer worked as a bank examiner for two years, where he was responsible for investigating banks and their compliance with laws and regulations.
"It is like getting a master's or Ph.D. in banking, from the standpoint that you are able to understand the many intricacies of the banking laws and rules and how it all works together," Luetkemeyer said. "You are able to take in the whole banking and financial picture."
Before Luetkemeyer attended college, he was raised and worked on a farm in St. Elizabeth, a farm that he now owns. Luetkemeyer said life on a farm has provided a learning experience, as it provided a "very, very broad background" on agricultural issues in the state.
Agricultural issues are especially important in the 9th District, which not only contains the strongly Democratic Boone County, but also encompasses much of Northeast Missouri, much of which is rural.
"I think he is connecting very well," senior Johnny Vanderpool said at the campaign headquarters. "I think his background is enabling that. He's been in the farming arena for a very long time."
Luetkemeyer is a common name in Missouri politics. Luetkemeyer's cousin is the father of Tony Luetkemeyer, the student representative to the UM system Board of Curators.
Freshman Kara Luetkemeyer is Blaine Luetkemeyer's second cousin.
"He has made it all the way from a small town to running for U.S. Congress," she said. "It takes a very strong person to do that." Kara is Blaine Luetkemeyer's second cousin.
On education, Luetkemeyer supports increasing the student aid and loan programs, but believes most of the funding for MU should be done at the state level.
"The biggest impact we can have is to continue the student aid programs and help to get the research dollars," Luetkemeyer said.
Another defining issue of the Luetkemeyer campaign is energy. Luetkemeyer generally supports the Republican platform, which calls for increased domestic drilling and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge region of Alaska to lower gasoline prices.
"Higher gas prices and taxes all fit together as pocketbook issues," Luetkemeyer said.
Cultural conservatism is a clear emphasis of Luetkemeyer's campaign. He touts being endorsed in the crowded GOP primary by Missouri Right to Life and has received an A rating by the National Rifle Association.
"He is a very strong person," sophomore Katie Doerhoff said. "He is very easy to relate to."
According to the Cook Political Report, a non-partisan political analysis Web site, the 9th District has a rating of R +7, meaning that the district has a Republican tilt.
Luetkemeyer, like his opponent, state Rep. Judy Baker, D-Columbia, has experience in the Missouri House, where he held his position from 1998-2004.
"The thing that I am most proud is the way that we were able to help people access their government," Luetkemeyer said. "I prefer to judge myself as having been effective in that position by how many people I helped one on one."
After his tenure in Jefferson City, Luetkemeyer served as the state's tourism director. While there, he worked with the lieutenant governor to create the Tour of Missouri.
"As tourism director, you are marketing the entire state," Luetkemeyer said. "It is another example of bringing dollars to our state, economic development that we can continue to have."
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