12 minute read
Questions & answers with candidates in District 156 State Representative race
By K.D. Michaels, Staff Writer
The Branson Globe recently posed questions to the two candidates vying for the office of Missouri State Representative for District 156. Brian Seitz is our current State Representative, elected to a two-year term in 2020. Ginger Witty received the Democratic Party’s nod in the August elections and faces off with Seitz in the general election when Missouri voters head to the polls on November 8.
• Brian Seitz: “The economy, inflation and federal overreach are the most important issues facing Missouri, along with protecting our children from the ‘woke’ Leftist agenda. Under the Biden administration and Democratic legislation, our economy is in shambles. Increased costs for housing, food and gas are crippling the middle class. Missourians are spending hundreds more dollars now than they were just two years ago to get the same or lesser services and goods. The Left continues to rule by Executive Order, undermining American Exceptionalism with false narratives and destroying the bedrock of our country. At the core of the Leftist destruction of our country is a war on our children. While we have excellent school systems in the 156th District, other Missouri schools are falling behind. Rather than focus on common sense solutions to increase test scores, educate students and support teachers, the Democrat party continues to push to indoctrinate children towards their own political ideology and support the system rather than the student and teacher. We need to make sure our teachers are well paid and taken care of, our students are being taught the proper curriculum, and our parents have the ability to be involved in every facet of their child’s education. The future of our country is at stake, and I will once again file legislation that protects our children from Leftist indoctrination. I will also be exploring ways to make sure more of our education funding gets into the classroom to support teachers and students, rather than getting lost in the system somewhere along the way. There is no ‘moderate’ view to be taken when it comes to protecting our children. These issues must be stopped at the Missouri border, and I will continue to sponsor legislation that gets this accomplished.”
• Ginger Witty: “The most urgent issue is the fact that some pregnant women are not currently allowed to receive the critical care they need until their health deteriorates and becomes a ‘medical emergency.’ The anti-abortion trigger law does not allow abortions in the case of rape or incest and a woman’s health must deteriorate to being a ‘medical emergency’ before a doctor can intervene. If a doctor intervenes and is unable to prove that the woman was a ‘medical emergency,’ the doctor can lose his/her license to practice, as well as be imprisoned for five to 15 years. I am pro-life, but I think women’s lives also count as well as the lives and the livelihood of physicians.”
Brian Seitz
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Ginger Witty
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• Seitz: “I will continue to sponsor legislation that focuses on these issues (as I did during my first two years in office) and puts the 156th District, Missouri and America first! My record is transparent and clear on the issues. I am a Christian conservative and my voting record shows that. The 156th District is an area that puts faith, family and flag first, and I will continue to represent our area with those core values in mind. In the Legislature, it is important to build coalitions in order to advance good legislation. I have spent the last two years working tirelessly to build the relationships necessary to advance legislation for the good of our district and our state. This past session, through the work of myself and others, we got the No Patient Left Alone Act passed and signed by the governor. This legislation, which I authored in the House, requires that hospitals and longterm care facilities allow visitors for their patients even during states of emergency. Many Missourians died alone, without being able to see their loved ones in person, during the past two years. That is totally unacceptable and we passed this legislation to make sure it never happens again. This is one example of how the coalitions I’ve built, and the work that I’ve done, have benefitted the 156th District and our state. I’m ready to get back to work on day one after the election, pre-filing more common sense, pro-Missouri legislation, and I’m confident that we will see many of these bills get passed and signed into law for the benefit of all.”
• Witty: “I think we need to at least amend the trigger law so that victims of rape or incest could get the medical care that they need and their doctor feels is most appropriate. I agree with Governor Parson, who said those decisions should be decided by a woman and her doctor. I think we should respect doctors’ judgment and allow them to perform an abortion when medically necessary, such as when the fetus has died or in cases of ectopic pregnancies. I would like to look into the feasibility of a statewide adoption agency to provide another option for pregnant women as well as hope for childless couples. A second focus of the agency would be to find permanent homes for adoptable children in foster care.”
• Seitz: “One of the main ways I can best help the citizens of the 156th District is by continuing to be a strong voice for them in the Capitol. Soft voices are often drowned out, and I’ve established myself as someone who will be heard in the crowd and listened to by leadership. I am currently working with members of the Budget Committee to get more tax dollars sent back from Jefferson City to our area for infrastructure improvements. We are one of the main economic drivers for the state, and the return on investment needs to reflect that. My door is always open for anyone, whether we agree or disagree, to come and discuss ideas they have to strengthen our area. Some of the best legislation is citizen led, so I think it is important to get citizen input when filing bills. I definitely have priority legislation that I think will benefit the 156th District, and our entire state, but I depend on the constituents to bring me their ideas for bills, as well. Currently, I am drafting legislation that will protect children, strengthen schools and give all Missourians, seniors and veterans the tax breaks that they deserve.”
• Witty: “I will do everything I can to benefit ALL citizens of the 156. I will keep them apprised of what is going on in the Missouri House, via a weekly news column. I also intend to make myself regularly available for informal chats. I will call on local industry leaders to get their perspectives on legislation that we are considering. As an advocate for public education, I would like to see the state contribute more to public schools. I saw a statistic from 2019 and Missouri is third from the bottom in its contribution rate for public schools. If we could increase that, then we could reduce property taxes.”
• Seitz: “Experience and a desire to see our district retain the values that made our area, and America, great. To get anything done in our Republican supermajority, and to have a seat at the table to address the major issues facing our state, our area needs Republican representation. I have established myself as a strong voice for the 156h District and the values we hold dear, and I have quickly become one of the most effective members of the House. That effective voice for the 156th District would quickly be silenced should our area be represented by a Democrat. We live in an area often referred to as a ‘bubble’ for Christian conservative values. The values and work ethic of Southwest Missourians are unmatched, though we are witnessing a change of culture in many parts of our country. Living off big government, what the Democrat party wants you to do, is the opposite of what made this area successful. The ‘bubble’ would begin to burst, and we would be ‘just like everywhere else’ if we put someone in office that does not share our values. My energy level and desire to succeed, promoting Christian conservative values, are unmatched. I am staunchly pro-life and pro-Second Amendment, and my voting record reflects that. My voice within the Republican Caucus led to me being named Freshman of the Year for Conservative values, along with other accolades and achievements. We are fighting for the soul of our great nation, and I am in the forefront of the battle at the state level. My military background and desire to put freedom and liberty first are a huge asset for the 156th District. There is no ‘moderate’ in me, and that is not what is needed in the Legislature. The 156th District needs a strong fighter who is unashamed to stand up for what is right. I have been that, and will continue to be that, when reelected on November 8.”
• Witty: “I am a supporter of public education and my opponent is not. Representative Seitz chose to co-sponsor HB 349 that gave up to $50 million of our taxes to private schools on January 16, 2021, only ten days after he was sworn in as our representative. Prior to the 2022 legislative session, there were over 120 K-12 education bills pre-filed. We need a public school supporter to protect our schools and help us keep control. Our schools are not perfect, but we don’t want the state telling us how to run our schools.”
• Seitz: “Tenacity and a servant leadership. These traits, and a desire to be an even more effective voice for the 156th District, have led me to run for the leadership position of Majority Whip within the House Republican Caucus. I am usually one of the first to enter the Capitol and one of the last to leave. Every minute that I’m in Jefferson City, and even at home in the district, I am working to make Missouri a better place to live. During my first two years in office, I’ve shown what an effective leader can do for our district. I have fought the big money lobbyists and special interest groups, and won, and I’d do it again, when reelected.”
• Witty: As a native of Taney County, I bring common sense as well as creative thinking and problem-solving to the office. I’m also a moderate, so I can work for the people, instead of the party. I became a moderate, and learned how to work across the aisle by being raised in a household where one parent was a Republican and the other was a Democrat. I subscribe to the adage ‘you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar,’ and I will work to bring both sides together to work for the people.”
• Seitz: “God, family, others are my mindset when crafting and advocating for specific legislation. Even in the midst of difficult personal circumstances, I know that not only is God in control, but He has given me the abilities that make me a perfect fit for the office that I now hold. I don’t give up. I don’t quit. And, I have an unwavering drive and desire to accomplish my duties as YOUR state representative. The ability to get good legislation passed involves building coalitions and I’ve done that. I don’t lead from behind, and I’m willing to take the slings and arrows of those who oppose our values. I don’t hide who I am or what I believe behind words like ‘moderate.’ I boldly and unashamedly stand up for what is right and will continue to do so, on your behalf. The 156th District currently has a state representative who embodies the values of truth, justice and the American way, and I once again ask for your vote and support on November 8 and beyond.”
• Witty: “I have seen my views on voter photo ID misrepresented so I would like to clarify that. I support voter photo ID laws. We first passed the voter ID law (Show it to Vote) in 2016, but it was overturned by the courts as being unconstitutional. The courts ruled that since state or federally issued photo IDs cost money, that was essentially charging a poll tax, which is prohibited by the 24th amendment. The county clerk sends us out a new voter registration card each year, and I think those cards should include our photographs from our driver’s license or state ID. For those who don’t have either of those, have that person’s photo taken with the poll pad when they go to vote and also take a photo of the ID they use to be able to vote. An election official can look at the documentation, and if it is valid, they could keep the photo on file and the next year, when the county clerk sends out the voter registration cards, that person’s photo would be included on their card. I am really enjoying meeting all the residents of the 156. I know that many voters have traditionally voted Republican, but now I’m asking you to cross over and vote for me, a moderate Democrat. If, by the grace of God, I do win, I want all residents to know that I will listen to them and I will do my best to represent them. The term is only two years, so I hope voters will be willing to take a chance on me.”
Please remember to go to the polls on November 8 and show your support for your favorite candidate for State Representative for the 156th District of Missouri.
