Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.)

U.S. Representative (since January 2011)

(Vicky Hartzler)

Why She Matters

A Christian-right activist, Hartzler unseated 17-term incumbent Rep. Ike Skelton (D) in Missouri's 4th Congressional District in the 2010 midterm elections.

A former high-school teacher and small-business owner, Hartzler served as a Missouri state representative from 1995 to 2001. In 2004, the Running God's Way author became a spokeswoman for the Coalition to Protect Marriage in Missouri, which successfully worked to ban same-sex marriage in the state.

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: Chair, Missouri Women's Council (2005-2007); Member, Missouri House of Representatives (1995-2001)
Birthday: October 13, 1960
Hometown: Harrisonville, Mo.
Alma Mater: University of Missouri-Columbia, B.A.; Central Missouri State University, M.A.
Spouse: Lowell

Religion: Evangelical Christian
Committees: House Agriculture Committee
DC Office: 1023 Longworth HOBWashington, DC 20515Phone: (202) 225-2876Fax: (202) 225-0148
State/District Office: Harrisonville Office 1909 North Commercial StreetHarrisonville, MO 64701Phone: 816-884-3411
Web site

Path To Power

Vicky Hartzler was born in Harrisonville, Mo., on Oct. 13, 1960. She graduated from Archie High School in 1979 and received a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1983. She would later go on to earn a master's degree, also in education, from Central Missouri State University in 1992.

In the fall of 1983, Hartzler began her 11-year teaching career, teaching family and consumer sciences in junior and senior high schools in Belton and Lebanon, Mo.

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A devout evangelical Christian, Hartzler lives near Harrisonville, Mo., with her husband Lowell and the couple's adopted daughter Tiffany. Hartzler and her husband run a diversified farming operation and are owners of the Hartzler Equipment Company, a small business that deals in farm equipment.

Missouri House

In 1994, Hartzler successfully ran for a seat in the 124th district of Missouri's House of Representatives. She remained in the state House for six years, serving on the agriculture, education, and children, youth and families committees.

While in the House, Hartzler focused her attention on adoption, education and small business-friendly legislature. She received awards from the Harrisonville Area and Pleasant Hill Area Chambers of Commerce for her votes on business.

Hartzler announced in 2000 that she would not seek reelection, citing a desire to spend more time with her recently adopted daughter.

Missouri Political Career

She didn't stay away from politics for long. In 2004, Hartzler signed on to be a state spokeswoman for the Coalition to Protect Marriage in Missouri, which successfully lobbied for legislation banning same-sex marriage in the state.

In 2005, Hartzler was appointed chair of the Missouri Women's Council, a Department of Economic Development agency aimed at helping women achieve their economic goals.

And in 2007, Hartzler's first book was published. A how-to guide for Christians running for office, Running God's Way: Step by Step to a Successful Political Campaign combines Scripture with Hartzler's personal political insight. "I saw the basic steps for campaigning as outlined in God's Word and wanted to share them," she said. "I had heard from several Christians who wanted to run for office but didn't know where to start."

2010 Election

On Aug. 3, 2010, Hartzler won the Republican nomination for a House seat in Missouri's 4th congressional district, pulling more than 40 percent of the vote in a sharply-contested nine-way race. She's set to face House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Ike Skelton in the November 2010 midterm election.

Hartzler is the first Republican in 14 years to run a well-financed campaign against Skelton.

The Issues

A devout Christian and small-business owner, Hartzler is equally socially and fiscally conservative. The tea party-backed candidate is ran her 2010 midterm campaign on a platform of smaller government, less spending and tax cuts.

Energy

Hartzler is an opponent of cap-and-trade legislation. She describes the policy as "job destroying" and claims it would eliminate tens of thousands of jobs and significantly increase utility bills.

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The Network

Hartzler has been endorsed by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Missouri Right to Life and Mitt Romney's Free and Strong America PAC.

The former state representative and GOP "Young Gun" has also received endorsements from the Gun Owners of America and her primary opponent, state Sen. Bill Stouffer.

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