The following candidate questionnaire was separately filled out by the three Republicans running for State Representative for the 131st District in the Aug. 3 primary election.
That seat is currently held by Marilyn Ruestman who is being term-limited out. The candidates are Bill Buening, Bill Lant and David Liveoak.
The winner of this race will face no party opposition in the November general election.
Responses are published here in alphabetical order by last name.
NDN: What are your qualifications for being State Representative?
BUENING: I served on the Diamond Planning and Zoning Board from 2002-2005 and the Diamond School Board from 2005-2008, serving as Board President 2007-2008.
LANT: I have been a salesman for 30 years and for the past 12 years I have owned and operated a feed and farm supply store. I was on the Seneca School Board for three years and have been politically active most of my adult life. I know how to set and live within a budget and have lived through three recessions. I am very conservative and I think that smaller government, lower taxes, and encouragement to small businesses are the best solutions to our economic woes.
LIVEOAK: I am over 24 years old, have been a qualified voter in the state the last two years, and have been a qualified voter in my district the past year. These are the Missouri State qualifications to run for State Representative. I also a concerned resident in my district, with children, and concerned about the enormous debt that our career politicians have gotten us into. I am concerned about our schools, and our basic rights as citizens of the State of Missouri and the United States and as land owners. I believe this covers my qualifications for State Representative.
NDN: Why do you want to be State Representative?
BUENING: I want to make a difference in the lives of the people in Southwest Missouri. As a working man I feel like our government does not listen to the hardworking people and I feel it is time that we are represented by someone who knows the daily struggles we go through. We have had enough of what I call “professional politicians” and it is time to bring the government back to serving the people and not just special interest groups or political action groups that have the money to buy the votes to get what they want.
LANT: My wife Jane and I were blessed with three sons and now have six grandchildren. I would like to think that I could help make decisions on the future path of Missouri that will lessen the adverse effects of this recession on those six grandchildren. My hope is that they might enjoy the same quality of life that my generation has.
LIVEOAK: I believe I am the man for the job. I am willing to do whatever it takes to help the people in my district protect their rights and to help with their concerns and problems. I want the 131st District to be as stable as any, and all the other, district(s) in the state.
NDN: Hypothetical question: You’re elected and a certain bill comes to the House floor. A majority of your constituents tell you to vote one way, but your inner self tells you to vote the opposite. What do you do?
BUENING: It is the constituents that elect me and who have chosen me to represent them and if they want me to vote a certain way then that is what I will do.
LANT: My duty as a State Representative is to vote the way that the majority of my constituents believe I should. As long as the hypothetical bill does not go against my core conservative beliefs, (Right to Life, 2nd Amendment Rights, 10th Amendment Rights, etc.), I would vote accordingly.
LIVEOAK: As a State Representative I will vote any, and all, votes for the people in my district as they want me to vote. My personnel views, and beliefs will never come into play. I believe this is the true meaning of “Representative.”
NDN: If elected, how will you be accessible to your constituents and how will you determine what their concerns and priorities are as citizens of the 131st District? Please be specific.
BUENING: I will make every effort to ensure that anyone that wants to voice their concerns and priorities has access to me either through my cell phone, e-mail, home phone, or website. If elected I will set a local office so people in the district can see me if they need or want to. It is important that people are a part of the government process.
LANT: I will make it a point to attend functions in every area of my district. I will publish newsletters and make myself available when asked to attend functions. I will publish phone numbers and e-mail addresses. I’ll conduct online polls of constituents in the district.
LIVEOAK: My cell phone number is (417) 291-2897. I have given my number out to hundreds of people in my district, and asked them to feel free to call me anytime 24/7. To me, this is total access with a direct line to me, not to an office. I want the folks in my district to have total access to me. The people in my district come first. They will never feel any less important, or never feel their concerns, or problems, or opinions are less than high priority to me.
NDN: What is the single greatest challenge facing the State of Missouri today and what is your basic solution?
BUENING: Personally, I think that the burden the federal government is placing on the citizens of Missouri is the greatest challenge and we must, as a state, stand up and say enough. Issues such as health care and education should be handled at the state level and I will work hard to bring state’s rights back to the state level and out of the control of the federal government.
LANT: Maintaining a balanced budget. Everything else depends on us staying out of debt and encouraging small business to expand. If we raise taxes to finance programs, I fear that we will discourage small businesses. We absolutely have to live within our means!
LIVEOAK: Jobs and job security. With the economic downslide, businesses are faced to cut back on their payrolls which cost Missourians jobs. With tax breaks for all business, especially small businesses, these businesses will have incentives to hire more people and add to the tax base.
NDN: Would you ever vote for a bill that you personally support but that a majority of your political party colleagues do not?
BUENING: Most certainly if it about what the constituents of the 131st District want.
LANT: If the people of my district expect me to support such a bill, then it would be my job to do so.
LIVEOAK: Once again, I vote for the majority of the people in my district. My personal feelings or feelings of my colleagues should never prevail over the wishes of my constituents.
