With the 2024 General Election just weeks away, residents of Taney and Stone counties will have some decisions to make. While many of the local races were decided in the August Primary elections, area voters will have to decide on a State Representative in their respective district, as well as a United States Representative for Missouri's District 7.
In an effort to keep our voters informed, the Branson Globe posed questions to area candidates. The same nine questions were presented to each candidate. Their responses are listed below.
Eric Burlison (R), United States Congress for Missouri District 7, Incumbent
Missi Hesketh (D), United States Congress for Missouri District 7, Candidate
Kevin Craig (L), United States Congress for Missouri District 7; candidate did not respond
1. Give me a brief bio on yourself.
Burlison: I am a former Investment Advisor and Software Consultant. Growing up in Southwest Missouri, I graduated from SMSU with a Master’s in Business Administration. I currently serve as a Republican Congressman, and previously served in the Missouri House and Senate. In my private life, I enjoy hunting and fishing in the Ozarks. My wife, Angie, and I are active members of our church. We live in Ozark with our two daughters, Reese and Aubrey.
Hesketh: My family moved to Forsyth in 1983 from the Chicago suburbs. After graduating from Forsyth and quickly flunking out of Mizzou, I worked in food service, business and finance before a post-9/11 forced transition brought me to education. I have been an educator for 20 years, currently teaching Gifted at Ozark. My highest level of education is Education Specialist in Special Education and Assessment. I have served my community on city council for two-and-a-half terms and am completing my first term as mayor. I am also the very proud mother of three - two in college and one a Junior at Forsyth High School.
2. What would you consider your core values?
Burlison: First and foremost, I am a born-again Christian. Being a follower of Christ Jesus is at the very core of my values and beliefs. I have a record of being a proven conservative; it's literally on my signs. I am proud to say that I have done what I campaigned to do. My voting record has been scored as 98% by Heritage Action, the American Conservative Union at 100%, Club for Growth at 100%, Americans for Prosperity at 100% and Eagle Forum at 100%. I often have Democrats tell me that, while they don't agree with my positions, they know I am voting on principles and not in my own political self-interest. This is who I am and why I run. We don't need any more self-interested politicians. We need patriots who want to save America.
Hesketh: Service is central to who I am as a person, whether working with students in the classroom, or when I facilitated the backpack program at Forsyth Schools for ten years, sending food home with students who live in food insecure homes, or when identifying priorities to work toward at the city level, I work toward building others up. And, as everything is interconnected, along with the service is relationships. I have maintained lifelong friendships and built new relationships out of mutual respect, stemming from honesty and integrity. The people who know me know that they can trust me, that I do not lie to them, and that I work hard.
3. What made you decide to seek this office?
Burlison: I love this community and the people that live in it. I believe in the core values of hard work, loving God, loving our neighbor and raising your children to do the same. These fundamental values are being threatened by a far-left, socialist agenda that wants to remove God from our communities and schools. It wants to indoctrinate our children into a godless, hedonistic culture. And, it wants to fundamentally change the culture and fabric of this great nation. It is for these reasons that I have given up a great career in the private sector to serve in Washington, DC. I have been there for almost two years now.
Hesketh: Running for U.S. Congress was not on my 2024 Bingo card. There were four events that changed that. 1) When I saw our current Congressman supporting a known insurrectionist to become Speaker of the House. 2) When I saw our current Congressman celebrating a 39% reduction to the EPA when he full-well knows how vital clean water, soil and air are to the health of his constituents and to the success of our agriculture and ecotourism economies. 3) When I realized our current Congressman would never vote in support of HR 82, which eliminates the 60% reduction in Social Security benefits for public servants retiring with a pension (WEP/GPO). And, finally, 4) When I reached out to those connected politically and found there was no one running against the current Congressman. That is when I decided to run.
4. What are the three most pressing issues you feel our region/state is facing?
Burlison: Illegal immigration, inflation and burdensome regulations by numerous federal agencies
Hesketh: Missouri has a lot of pressing issues: lack of affordable housing, hospitals closing, affordable healthcare, access to mental health care, high poverty levels, childcare, high prices of consumables (as are being experienced nationally), algal blooms in our rivers, being at or near the bottom in teacher pay, quality of life and more. Many of those issues can and should be addressed at the state level. It is extremely concerning that our current Congressman has not secured, let alone even sought, any earmarks to bring federal dollars back to Southwest Missouri to try and address any of the issues that would help our communities invest and innovate in order to increase opportunities for families to become more self-sufficient and to encourage and enable our young people to remain in the area. Equally as important to address is the effects on relationships of family, friends and neighbors, stemming from the political rhetoric, the lies being spewed, by our current Congressman. We need leadership in it to bring results, not to be self-serving and working to divide us.
5. How would you, in this position, address these issues?
Burlison: Illegal Immigration is a threat to every Missouri citizen. I have supported and co-sponsored HR2, which was a comprehensive solution to fix the problems of illegal immigration. In addition, I along with Senator Josh Hawley, sponsored the legislation that would empower the states to enforce the immigration laws when the federal government fails to do its job. Inflation is a result of two things - overspending by the federal governments and burdensome regulations. Our national debt is approaching 36 trillion dollars. We are at a debt-to-GDP ratio that is the worst in our nation's history. It is unsustainable. But many politicians talk about cutting spending, but few are willing to attach their names to cuts. In taking office, my team and I identified 270-line items in the budget that were wasteful examples of spending and sent 270 individual letters and requests to reduce or eliminate those expenditures, saving the taxpayers more than 400 billion a year in annual expenses. And, the final pressing issue facing our region and state is overly burdensome regulations. Since taking office almost two years ago, constituents have brought to my attention many crippling new rules and regulations from the Biden Administration. These caused me to file many of the bills I have filed. One example is the regulations by the Army Corps of Engineers. I have had numerous meetings with community leaders, residents and the Corps to understand the issues and points of friction at Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo. I worked to get on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and specifically the subcommittee for Water Resources. I did this so that I could have a greater impact on the decisions that affect the citizens that live at the lakes. I was able to pass legislation out of the committee and the House floor that will empower property owners with the choice of leasing land on encroachments.
Hesketh: I have already taken the first step in addressing these issues by talking with people all over Missouri's 7th Congressional District this past year. By hearing their concerns and collaborating with state leaders, I would know what dollars are needed for which projects that would have the greatest impact on the region. I enjoy networking and making connections. I would not be in D.C. touting my partisan awards because I understand that you have to work with others, compromise, in order to make progress.
6. What are the best things that you can bring to the office you are seeking?
Burlison: I bring with me the common-sense principles and knowledge I have gained by growing up and working my entire life in the Ozarks. I know what it's like to own a business. I know what it's like to serve in the Missouri legislature. I know what it's like to work in a cubicle for 20 years to collect an honest wage, only to watch my hard-earned tax dollars wasted by politicians.
Hesketh: My intention of seeking this office in order for me to represent the people of Southwest Missouri is to bring a fresh start to our District. For far too long the people of the 7th have gone unrepresented because the individuals elected have been in it for their own gains and not to roll up their sleeves and really accomplish anything. I have been called tenacious because when I recognize something really worth fighting for, I stay focused on it until the job gets done. And, I would do things with integrity, being honest with my constituents, and being accessible to them.
7. What makes you the best candidate for this office?
Burlison: Again, I am a proven principled conservative. I have over twenty years of private sector experience. I know what it's like to be a taxpayer and watch my taxes wasted by government bureaucrats. My voting record and actions have been consistent with the way I campaigned. I have a principled voting record and a proven past of getting big things done.
Hesketh: Having spent 20 years in the classroom, I have been able to gain perspectives of a wide variety of family structures of various means and opportunities, and many barriers to success. Working within city government has given me budgeting and ordinance/statute experience, insight to challenges of limited municipal budgets, and the needs of our first responders. Raising three kids as a single mom on a teacher salary, budgeting for household improvements and juggling graduate school (twice), I know that in order to accomplish goals, sometimes we sacrifice in the short-term in order to succeed in the long-term. I am the best candidate for this office because I am goal-oriented myself and care about helping others achieve their goals.
8. What else would you like us to know?
Burlison: While I have to travel to Washington D.C. to work, I spend as little time as I can there. I won't allow the swamp to suck me into the D.C. culture. One way of doing that is living not in D.C. but here in Ozark with my wife and daughters. I fly to D.C. mostly on Mondays and fly home as soon as I can, usually on Thursdays. This keeps me connected to the district. It keeps me grounded and close to the people I love.
Hesketh: Municipal elections are non-partisan, which is how I was able to be elected Mayor of Forsyth. The work that we do at the city level is done to benefit the entire community. That is the approach that I would take in the role of Congresswoman representing Southwest Missouri. Also, this campaign has been financed by grassroots donations - not corporate donors expecting favors in return. Too, too many folks become really, really wealthy when assuming higher office, with little to no accountability. I would be happy to release tax returns and/or a list of assets, because I will not be bought and I am not in it to get rich (much like being a teacher or mayor). Citizens United needs to be overturned to get dirty money out of politics. And, while we are at it, we also need to implement term limits in Congress. I am solely in this to get Southwest Missouri back on track.
9. How about a few lines, asking for our readers' votes in the upcoming election?
Burlison: I am so proud to serve Southwest Missouri. I am particularly proud to tell anyone I meet from around the world that I represent the greatest people you will ever meet, who live in the most beautiful place you will ever see. It is an honor to be chosen by you to represent our families in Washington, D.C.
Hesketh: I realized that many of us are so busy living our daily lives: chauffeuring kids to events, working (sometimes more than one job), worrying about finances, maybe taking care of aging parents that it is difficult to pay attention to how each of our elected representatives is performing for us. I urge Republican voters to check the incumbent's track record of votes and social media postings so that you, too, can realize that he is not demonstrative of the values we share - honesty and integrity and hard work. I urge you to vote out the extremism so that we can get back to achieving goals for the betterment of all of us and move away from trying to impart or force values on others. That is not the job of a member of Congress. As Congresswoman, I will do the work.
Matthew Overcast, (R) Missouri State Representative, District 155, Candidate
Courtney Sweeney-Legore (D) Missouri State Representative, District 155 Candidate, did not respond to questions.
1. Give me a brief background on yourself, please.
Overcast: My name is Matthew Overcast, your Republican candidate for District 155. I was born and raised right here in District 155. I grew up in Douglas County, Missouri, on our family farm, where my only wife of 12 years, a first-grade elementary teacher at Gainesville Elementary and I currently raise our five children. I am a USAF Veteran, joining at 17 years old, to serve as a Tactical Aircraft Journeyman (aircraft mechanic). I am a licensed business and education attorney in Ava, Missouri, and a small business owner. With my local roots, proven leadership, business and legal experience, I am uniquely qualified to hit the ground running to lead my colleagues in the house to achieve the people's agenda and defend our conservative Ozark values in Jefferson City.
2. What are three things that your campaign is based upon?
Overcast: Active Leadership, Integrity, Upholding Conservative Family Values
3. What do you feel are the top challenges that face our area, and how do you plan to help with those challenges?
Overcast: In speaking with constituents door to door, the foremost challenges facing our district have emerged as critical focal points for the community. These include (1) enhancing our economic development and fostering job creation, (2) broadening rural healthcare accessibility, (3) enhancing educational standards and opportunities in our schools, and, (4) ensuring prudent management of taxpayer funds.
To address economic development and job creation, I would work in collaboration with our local chambers of commerce and economic development agencies to attract new businesses, support existing ones and invest in infrastructure projects that create employment opportunities. Moreover, drawing upon my background as a business owner and business attorney, I will meticulously evaluate existing and proposed legislation in the House to guarantee that only bills supporting intelligent business practices, which encourage expansion and opportunities for Missouri businesses without unduly stifling economic growth are enacted.
In response to the healthcare provider shortage in our rural communities, I will push for the expansion of practice rights for assistant physicians, similar to the bill passed for Advanced Nurse Practitioners by the Missouri House last legislative session. Additionally, I will champion the provision of recruitment incentives to attract all medical professionals willing to work in rural Missouri. Collaborating closely with healthcare providers and local organizations is essential to tackling the scarcity of healthcare personnel in rural regions. These steps will go a long way in mitigating the challenges faced by senior citizens and low-income families who must travel long distances for essential medical services.
To improve our education system, it is essential to empower parents with a range of educational options, equip teachers with the necessary resources to exceed educational standards, address burnout, enhance retention rates, and guarantee that every student receives a high-quality education that prepares them for success beyond graduation. It is imperative that we unite vital educational stakeholders, including parents, students, teachers, advocacy groups and other professionals, to collaboratively develop and enact these impactful educational reforms. As an education law attorney, I will be at the forefront of getting this done for the people of Missouri and my district.
To ensure prudent management of taxpayer funds, I will continue advocating for policies that promote transparency and fiscal responsibility in government spending. This includes making budget information easily accessible to the public and holding regular town hall meetings or sending out letters to discuss how taxpayer dollars are being allocated. I will fiercely advocate for funding for local projects that have a direct impact on constituents' quality of life, such as infrastructure improvements, education initiatives, healthcare services and economic development programs. Ensuring that tax dollars are invested back into the community will provide tangible benefits to residents that they can see.
4. What makes you the best qualified candidate for the position?
Overcast: What sets me apart as the most qualified candidate for this position is my dedication to public service, legal expertise and commitment to upholding conservative family values. Drawing upon my experience as a Veteran, I understand the value of building relationships and leading people from diverse backgrounds toward common goals. As a business attorney and small business owner, I empathize with the challenges faced by local businesses and know how to address them effectively. With strong community ties, I promise to prioritize the needs of our community above all else, just as I did during my military service. My resilience, coupled with my unwavering dedication to my values, distinguishes me from the career politicians and the well intentioned and ensures my relentless efforts to improve our district for all families. These attributes, along with my Ozarks upbringing and faith, uniquely equip me to immediately begin working toward enhancing our district and creating an even more thriving environment for our families to reside and raise our children.
5. Can you please give me a brief statement asking readers to vote for you?
Overcast: Having defended our constitutional rights and freedoms abroad while in the military, I now seek the honor of your vote on November 5 to continue serving our community by safeguarding our Ozark values right here in Missouri. A vote for Matthew Overcast on or before November 5 is a vote for YOU, your family and a better District 155.
Janis Beacham (D), Missouri State Representative, District 156, Candidate
Brian Seitz (R), Missouri State Representative, District 156, Incumbent
1. Give me a brief bio on yourself, please.
Beacham: I am a retired educator with experience in all levels of education, as well as in business/industry training. I began my professional career teaching junior and senior high math in Creighton, MO. I developed two national exemplary programs serving disadvantaged and handicapped students in career and technical education. I finished my Ph. D. focusing on adult education; research and statistics; career and technical education and public administration. My business, Beacham Associates, Performance Improvement Systems, gave me the opportunity to work with Fortune 500 companies all over the United State and Canada. I have served as president of Missouri Vocational Special Needs Association and received the Skills USA National Education Team 10 Year Service Award. I was born in Saint Louis and grew up in Jefferson City. When I retired, we chose Hollister for our home. We've lived here for eight years and enjoy the lakes, the access to nature and the busy vacation destination area of Branson. I was married to my first husband for 32 years and have been with my current husband for eight years. I have a large, blended family.
Seitz: I have represented the 156th District in the Missouri House of Representatives since November 2020. Originally from Michigan, I served in the United States Army as an 82nd Airborne Paratrooper. After the Army, I obtained my Bachelor's degree from Missouri State University and started a local business, Branson Music Country News. Through this media, I was heavily involved in promoting our live shows and attractions for over a decade. Additionally, I served as the pastor of Sovereign Grace Baptist Church. My wife, Valerie, and I have three grown children and five grandchildren.
2. What would you consider your core values?
Beacham: I believe in putting my faith in action. Having twelve years of Catholic school gave me a great foundation. Experience as a Habitat for Humanity family partner, as well as being a member of two church boards gave me the opportunity to be of service to my community. I believe in doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, and to be honest with people. My core values include fairness, family and community. The best way to find the right answers to today's challenges is to work together to meet those challenges.
Seitz: My core values flow from a biblical worldview. As a firm believer in the sovereignty of God, I realize that He designed this nation, the greatest ever on Earth, to share His truth. My Christian worldview informs my decision-making as a legislator, and helps me to protect the values that have made the 156th District one of the best areas in Missouri to raise a family.
3. What made you decide to seek this office?
Beacham: Missouri is my home and I've seen a decline in support and funding for public education over the last 20 years. Twenty years ago, people came to Missouri to learn about innovative ideas in public education. Now we are rated mediocre, at best. Missouri can do better, and must do better, to provide the funding necessary for our educators to provide the education our children deserve. I also ran for office because I believe in women's reproductive healthcare.
Seitz: Five years ago, I saw the State moving to the Left, contrary to values of the 156th District. Yes, we maintained Republican supermajorities, but many in those majorities operated at the behest of political insiders rather than their constituents. I ran to make sure the people of the 156th District and the rest of the state had a voice that would fight for and protect their values in the Capitol. I embody the ideals, morals and principles of Branson, Hollister and the surrounding area. Over the past four years, I have been an effective voice for the District, and I would be honored to earn reelection for a third term in office.
4. What are the three most pressing issues you feel our region/state is facing?
Beacham: We need to get government out of reproductive healthcare. My opponent, Brian Seitz, introduced one of the most restrictive abortion bills in the nation. His bill, HB 2810, would have banned all abortions, even those involving ectopic pregnancies, which are life threatening. Our public education system needs to be fully funded. My opponent supported Senate Bill 727, which expands unaccountable charter schools and vouchers in cities with a population of 30,000 or more. This has absolutely no benefit to our rural school districts and, in most instances, only benefits the wealthy few. We need to attract new industries to our area proving good paying, year-round jobs.
Seitz: Our most pressing local issues are housing, supporting and encouraging economic growth, and continuing to protect our children from Leftist indoctrination while seeing to the needs of our growing senior population. In this election, more than almost any we have had, I would also say that protecting the right to life is of paramount importance and electing legislators - and a President - who will work to lower taxes is vital to offset economic failures of the Biden Administration.
5. How would you, in this position, address these issues?
Beacham: As State Representative, I will be a strong advocate for health care, mental health care and reproductive health care. I will also fight against unaccountable charter schools and vouchers, fight for fully funding our public education system, and addressing mental health issues. By addressing the first two issues - healthcare and public education funding, as well as providing affordable housing, public transportation and increased mental health services, we will have a much better chance of attracting new businesses to our area.
Seitz: I have a track record of getting things done is the Legislature. I have worked to strengthen parental rights in education and have maintained regular communication with our excellent local public schools to ensure that our kids are safe from the indoctrination plaguing many across our state and nation. I have worked to lower taxes for seniors and will continue to fight for lower taxes for all, because it is YOUR money, not the government's money. I have regularly supported local housing development efforts, writing letters of support to state agencies, and helping developers and city governments access grant money for housing projects. As Chair of the Tourism Committee, I have promoted our area and worked to secure millions in much-needed funding for transportation needs. I am the strongest and loudest voice supporting the rights of the unborn, and that will never change. So, to answer the question, I will keep fighting and winning for the District in the upcoming two years, just as I have throughout the last four years.
6. What are the best things that you can bring to the office you are seeking?
Beacham: I bring a new perspective. I am not a politician. I have worked hard to earn a Ph. D, focusing on adult education, career and technical education, research and statistics, and public administration. With my experience in all levels of education, as well as with Fortune 500 companies, I bring knowledge and a skill base that will be valuable as we work to make Missouri, especially HD 156, grow and prosper.
Seitz: The best thing I bring to the office is tenacity and unmatched focus and stamina. I fight day and night for the needs of the District, no matter the opposition. I stand up to the Left and am unwavering in my defense of our conservative values. Our District has never had a voice as loud, or effective, as mine, and that has paid dividends over the past four years, and will continue to over the next two, should I be reelected.
7. What makes you the best candidate for this office?
Beacham: I will be a fierce advocate for health care, mental health care and reproductive health care. I will fight to fully fund public education, pay our teachers what they are worth, and bring Missouri back to having an exemplary educational system. I promise to use my experience in general education, career and technical education, apprenticeship training and Fortune 500 company training all over the United States and Canada to help attract new businesses and industry to our area. I am passionate and hardworking. As a lifelong learner and a good listener, I will be seeking your ideas on how to make Missouri, especially HD 156, a better place to live and raise our families.
Seitz: I'm the best candidate for State Representative because I can't be bought, and I have found ways to be effective without sacrificing my principles. My mindset is 100% focused on the success of the 156th District. I fight to protect the values that made our area great, and work to make sure you, the people, are heard loud and clear in the Capitol.
8. What else would you like our readers to know?
Beacham: I have no political ambitions beyond being the Missouri State Representative for HD 156. I will be working for them and not to advance my political career.
Seitz: I'd like readers to know that I am here to serve. My door is always open, even if we disagree, and I work unceasingly to make sure the needs of my constituents are addressed. I've successfully passed several large pieces of legislation, built strong relationships with other legislators and state leaders, and am ready to hit the ground running again this year.
9. How about a few lines, asking for our readers' votes in the upcoming election?
Beacham: Vote for me to bring common sense back to Jefferson City. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and go to work for you.
Seitz: I encourage all registered voters to head to the polls on November 5, or before, for no excuse voting. This is the most important election since Reagan became President, and will shape our state and our nation for generations to come. For a strong, conservative voice that will always fight for you, vote to re-elect Seitz for State Representative on November 5.
No matter which candidates you choose to back, please vote on November 5, and let your voice be heard. Your vote determines the future of our region, state and country!
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