MARIES COUNTY — Voters in Maries County’s Aug. 6 Republican primary will have the choice between two candidates for the Missouri House of Representatives: incumbent Rep. Bennie Cook and challenger Philip Lohmann.

Each candidate filled out a questionnaire at the Advocate’s request. They were given a limit of 300 words per answer. Their responses are printed as written.

Bennie Cook

Give a short bio about yourself -- age, where you’re from, where you live, occupation, family info, etc.

I am a sixth generation Missourian and grew up in Maries county. My mom and brother own and operate Cook’s Wrecker & Repair in Belle. My wife, Amanda, our children and I live on a farm outside of Houston, where we enjoy educating our children on the value of hard work.

During our 20 years of marriage, I have been a commissioned Deputy Sheriff with the Texas County Sheriff’s Department. I have also volunteered as the Emergency Management Director for Texas County and the City of Houston. I had the opportunity to be the Director of the Texas County Food Pantry and Salvation Army for 4 years, before joining the Congressman Jason Smith Team as a field representative/constituent specialist. I currently serve as a Board Member for the Houston Lions Club, the Houston Bright Futures, The Bank of Houston Advisory Council, the Phelps Health Foundation, the Texas County Farm Bureau and Oak Hill Christian Church

What do you consider your biggest accomplishments in your time as state representative? What motivates you to run for another term?

During the last four years, I have worked on many issues to improve the lives of constituents across district 143 and Missourians across the state. One of my main jobs as a State Representative is to aid constituents with government departmental issues. When a constituent contacts my office with an issue, I do my best to solve those problems.

During my time in office, I have worked on legislation that would help our area and state. I helped pass legislation to ensure no taxpayer money will go to abortion providers. I worked on legislation to protect our second amendment rights. My legislation that prohibited boys from competing with girls in sports competitions was signed into law last year. I have passed legislation to increase access to healthcare in our rural areas.

This year, I was able to get funding for projects in Belle, projects in Phelps county and a community center project in Cabool. All of these projects will assist with additional economic development for our area.

My goal when I was elected four years ago was to be a public servant, and that is what I strive to be every day. I want to do all I can to help our area and help our state.

Now more than ever we need someone raised in this district, who goes to church in this district, raises a family in this district and works for this district in Jefferson City. I will continue standing up and fighting for our Rural Common Sense Conservative Republican Values.

What are your top three policy priorities for the next legislative session?

Continuing to fully fund our education system, so that our children obtain a quality education to yield productive members for our community. We must prepare our students for higher education and the workforce.

We need to continuously improve access to healthcare in our rural areas, by working with our local hospitals to retain high quality physicians, nurses, healthcare staff, and ensuring our hospitals have the equipment needed to treat their patients.

Fighting crime in Missouri continues to be a high priority. I am hopeful we can continue working on implementing a stronger truth in sentencing. This requires the offenders to serve a larger percentage of their sentencing, decreasing chances of early release.

What projects within the 143rd District do you plan to advocate for from your position in the General Assembly?

In Maries County, Phelps County, and Texas County, Missouri, there are always infrastructure needs. Specifically the City of Belle, has experienced several water main breaks. Thanks to the support of the community, student-led initiatives and my colleagues, I was able to get one million dollars in the state budget designated to the City of Belle’s sewer and water system. I plan to continue to advocate for additional funding for their sewer and water system to ensure it meets the needs for the future.

In western Phelps County, I am dissatisfied with the current deterioration of I-44 and it needs immediate repair. My colleagues and I were able to put funding in the state budget for I-44 and I am hopeful some of that money will be used within our district in the near future.

In northern Texas County and southern Phelps county, Shafer Road is used to access the George O. White State Forest Nursery. This road (formerly Hwy 63) has deteriorated to the extreme that patching is no longer a feasible option. This state owned access was appropriated two million dollars to allow MODOT to take action, but was later vetoed by the Governor’s office. I am planning a meeting this fall to discuss further legislative action.

How do you plan to stay connected with your constituents and ensure their voices are heard in the legislative process?

Continuing to do what I have done, my first four years: attend local meetings/events, hold mobile offices throughout the district, volunteer for local entities and work on community projects. I will continue doing Capitol Reports, press releases in local newspapers and utilizing social media. A new program I started this year was the County Day at the Capitol. A special day for constituents from each county in the district is scheduled to come to the Capitol. During the day, meetings are set up with other elected officials and state departments. The goal of the day is for folks to learn more about the legislative process. I am always willing to meet with constituents by phone or in person to help work on any issue. Always feel free to call me at 417-260-2382.

Philip Lohmann

Give a short bio about yourself -- age, where you’re from, where you live, occupation, family info, etc.

I am Philip William Lohmann, I am an adult Christian male aged 28, born August 22, 1995, in Fallon NV. I lived most of my life in NM, a few years in OK and finally moved out here to MO about 9 years ago. I have traveled across this great nation and have lived in cities and small towns. The Lohmann family is one of the oldest families to first settle in our great state and going further I have family come in on the Mayflower. My employment background ranges from retail, factory, medical/aerospace and supply chains. I am currently working a part time job in Rolla for Midwest Petroleum while I am out campaigning. I was largely homeschooled by my veteran parents, mother deceased, father still living, and I am the youngest of six. I am sorry for keeping this short but for the safety of my family I must keep this brief. I seek to keep my family out of the spotlight. It’s a dangerous world. My campaign signs have all been vandalized and Donald Trump getting shot is proof enough of that and on that note we must vote him back into office and work hard to support the police that protect us.

What experience do you have that prepares you to be a state representative? What motivates you to run?

Despite my age I have much experience dealing with government and business. From aerospace, defense, medical and government contractors I have worked and understood the ins and outs of politics and global economics. I am one of the few people endorsed by mental healthcare activists that seek to improve the failed healthcare system of Missouri. My father and mother both served in the military and my father who has done electronic warfare and government contracting and my mother with her medical background has shown me the ropes of how to deal with all the bureaucrats at every level. Experience without cost is rare and unlike those in Jefferson City, I self-fund my campaign. I refuse to sell out. It’s time Jefferson City was introduced to someone young. We need new leadership with fresh ideas and a plan for the future of our state. We can’t be run by dusty old politicians in their late sixties forever and expect them to come up with modern solutions. If you need proof, then ask yourself this. Name anything those people have done for you or your kids in your entire lives that made a positive impact. If you can’t, then perhaps it’s time we have someone in office that’s one of the people and is not a Joe Biden style politician. It’s your choice this August sixth for new young leadership and change.

What are your top three policy priorities for the next legislative session?

First tax cuts. Just like Governor Candidate Bill Eigel, I will be fighting to end Personal Property Tax, Repeal the gas tax 12.5 gas tax, end the sales tax for feminine hygiene products and baby products and I will bring an end to capital gains tax. Second Universal School Choice. Just this year public schools in Missouri dropped from 28 to 32 nationwide. No students can read, write or do math at grade level despite billions poured into the system. It is time parents were given the right to choose better outcomes for their children. You know what’s best. Don’t let the DEI driven government schools boss you around or neglect your children anymore. It’s time we cut the 10 million dollars they are spending on CRT and use that money to start funding the ABCs again. Third, taking on the drug cartels and human traffickers. I will be pushing for the governor to declare a state of emergency and declare the gangs in Missouri as terrorists. Once this is done we will deploy the national guard to partner with local and state law enforcement to end this crime wave. Gangs are responsible for 90% of all crime in Missouri and it’s time we bring them in or bring them down. Let’s make our streets safe again.

What projects within the 143rd District do you plan to advocate for from your position in the General Assembly?

My agenda for Maries, Phelps and Texas County is jobs. For Maries County I will be pushing for the creation of a Missouri Stock exchange. Texas State is already creating one of their own to compete with New York and it is expected to be completed by 2026 worth almost 1 trillion dollars in global trade and expected to bring 32 billion in local and state tax revenue. It’s time Missouri created its own stock exchange to compete with both New York and Texas. On completion, expected 4K jobs worth 90k-120k salaries in less than two years, along with estimated 32 billion dollars in local and state revenue. I will also be pushing for a new cyber security branch for our State Guard to combat cybercrimes in Maries County. For Phelps, Defense and Medical industry jobs. The world is on the brink of WW3. We need to prepare for this upcoming multiyear war. For Texas County theme parks and agriculture jobs. In talks to bring Six Flags, Hershey Park, Disney and Universal Studios to Missouri. Combined worth about 20 billion in local and state revenue and between 80k-200k jobs over the next 3-7 years, along with new farming jobs to help feed the nearly 60 million tourists expected each year.

How do you plan to stay connected with your constituents and ensure their voices are heard in the legislative process?

Public events, phone, email, office branches, social media, official press releases, mail and in person meetings are all politicians can do to stay connected. My door is always open to the public and I will do my best to stay in touch with everyone in my district. Please let me know the best way you wish to stay in contact, so you are heard. My job is to represent you and not lobbyists. It’s why I self-fund my campaign. Helps keep the focus on the people and avoids government corruption.