WARRENSBURG — With a resume spanning politics, academia and foreign affairs, Republican congressional candidate Brett Hueffmeier believes he has the experience and vision to represent Missouri's 5th Congressional District in Congress.
As he seeks the Republican nomination in the Aug. 4 primary, Hueffmeier said the district's mix of urban, suburban and rural communities requires a representative with broad experience and a message focused on uniting voters.
He grew up in northern Missouri in the town of Linneus but eventually moved to Lee's Summit. After graduating from high school, he attended Washington University in St. Louis and later went to law school at Saint Louis University.
"I was a Missouri boy through and through," Hueffmeier said.
Shortly after law school, he became ill with a rare form of cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma. Hueffmeier said this life-threatening condition became an eye-opening experience.
"I was very lucky to survive," Hueffmeier said. "After my recovery, I was getting my perspective back on what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."
Since a young age, Hueffmeier has always felt a call to service and had an interest in politics. His mother told him she always knew he would be a politician after watching him write a democratic constitution for China when he was 17 years old.
This passion for politics resulted in him working for former Missouri U.S. Sens. Kit Bond and John Ashcroft. The opportunity allowed him to develop his passion for public service, but he said he was not yet prepared to run for office because of lingering health concerns.
He eventually took a position at Rutgers University, where he taught business law and ethics. He was later asked to become dean of the international department, which allowed him to travel to university campuses around the world.
He later worked in human resources consulting, but he said this election seemed like the perfect opportunity to get started in politics.
"I have a lot to contribute," Hueffmeier said. "I have always considered myself to be good at coming up with solutions . . . It gives me a lot of strength and pride whenever I'm helping people."
Hueffmeier said he has heard various concerns from voters, including rural hospital closures, economic concerns and veterans affairs. He argued that most of these issues can be addressed together through his policy proposals.
He said he would reopen rural hospitals by achieving three things: creating association health plans that allow small businesses to pool together, creating a Medicare system for veterans in rural areas, and eliminating the law that reduces doctors' ability to own hospitals.
Hueffmeier said his plan would result in the government saving billions of dollars over the next 10 years, according to his team's estimate.
He is also in favor of six-year term limits for members of Congress and said he would not serve more than three terms. He argued the limits would reduce entitlement to the position and increase productivity.
"I feel like nobody can stay there longer than three terms and keep the passion," Hueffmeier said. "I am going to do more in six years than others have done in 24."
Beyond policy, Hueffmeier said he has observed a divide between the diverse parts of the district. Hueffmeier said his campaign has allowed him to connect with both groups of voters and understand their unique concerns. He believes his background of living in both rural Missouri and Kansas City would make him the ideal candidate for the district.
"I think there is a disconnect," Hueffmeier said. "Having a representative who can represent both areas can really help bridge that void."
Because of this divide, he said it would be a priority to listen to all voters and stay open-minded. He said he would do this through organized office hours, allowing him to hear concerns and ideas from constituents.
"It has been the most informative experience of my life," Hueffmeier said. "I have been so impressed by the people. They have great ideas, they're honest, and they're hard-working. I think they represent the best of America . . . We need to put the service back in public service."
To learn more about Brett Hueffmeier and his campaign, visit brettformissouri.com or his Facebook page, hueff4congress.
