House candidate speaks to GOP faithful

State Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-21, on Friday said U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton has lost touch with the residents of the Fourth Congressional District in recent years.

Stouffer, who is campaigning to replace Skelton as the state’s Fourth District representative, on Friday addressed the Pettis County Pachyderm Club. He said Skelton’s recent votes to restore the estate tax and authorize increased deficit spending are indicative of the longtime Democratic congressman’s recent shift to the left. Stouffer believes voters are fed up with rampant government spending, which he described as “unjustifiable.”

“Spending is probably the number one issue in the country and in Missouri. We have awakened the population with this insane spending,” Stouffer said. “There is a total lack of reality involved in that fishbowl in D.C. ... Sooner or later, somebody has to pay for this.”

He cited “Tea Party” demonstrators as evidence of a significant backlash growing against excessive government spending. Unification among “Tea Party” demonstrators, ideological conservatives and other Republicans vying to represent the Fourth District, who are all frustrated with the increasing national deficit, will be a vital component to promoting a conservative agenda, Stouffer said.

“If we split, we’ll wind up with the same deficit spending. We need to work together for that essential change,” Stouffer said.

Sedalia State Rep. Stanley Cox, who has worked with Stouffer since joining the state Legislature, described him as hard-working and well-respected in Jefferson City and in his district. He said Stouffer’s experience and ability to make difficult decisions set him apart in the race.

“He certainly shares my values,” Cox said.

While Stouffer said he has tremendous respect for Skelton, he believes the longtime incumbent has recently shifted his focus to maintaining his chairmanship rather than representing his constituents. Stouffer said with the campaign on the National Republican Congressional Committee’s radar, he believes Republicans have a chance to take back the district, which he said is the second most conservative district in the state.

“His votes in the last three years are simply to support the leadership, not to represent the district,” Stouffer said. “There is an opportunity to get back control of this district and this country.”

Skelton’s staff has previously said the congressman will not comment on any potential opponents until after the primary elections.

While Stouffer promoted a clean primary, he said his record will make him stand out from others vying for the GOP position on the ballot. He said his work on cutting the state deficit, serving as chairman of the state transportation committee and his popularity within a liberal-leaning state Senate district make him the strongest and most experienced candidate.

“I’ve got a series of legislation I am very proud of,” Stouffer said. “I’ll be very glad to stand on my record.”
Stouffer also denounced the recent ethics complaints filed against him with the Missouri Ethics Commission and Federal Election Commission. He said allegations that his state Senate staff was working on his federal campaign would be proven unfounded.

“I guarantee they have done nothing outside of what is right,” he said. “It is not in my character or my staff’s to work outside the law. We comply with all MEC and FEC rules.”