Missouri House of Representatives District 100 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Missouri, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Missouri House of Representatives District 100 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Missouri House of Representatives District 100

Philip Oehlerking defeated Colin Lovett in the general election for Missouri House of Representatives District 100 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Philip Oehlerking (R)	50.6	8,315
		Colin Lovett (D)	49.4	8,134

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,449
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Colin Lovett (D)

I'm a father, husband, and a son. I will fight for your family just as hard as I fight for mine.

I'm qualified to represent our community. I have the education, experience, empathy, and ability to listen to diverse perspectives.

I'm a collaborator, communicator, and I get things done. I will deliver real results that create value and benefit our community.

Philip Oehlerking (R)

I believe the government should be accountable to taxpayers on how our money is spent while reducing the tax burden on hard-working Missourians.

I believe in education and policies that promote not only quality STEM based jobs, but also workforce development to entice growth in skilled jobs.

I believe we owe a debt of gratitude to law enforcement and first responders who stand on the front lines to protect us, and I will never support any measure to defund the police.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Colin Lovett (D)

The Economy:

- Good pay for honest work - Protecting the rights and abilities of employees to unionize - Attracting new companies to Missouri

Schools: - Tax dollars should go to public schools that we can hold accountable, including access to post K-12 community colleges - We should pay teachers better and provide the necessary tools to teach - Diversity and inclusion policies protect our most vulnerable students and staff - Curriculum should reflect our actual history; we should equip our kids with truth and the ability to critically think

Healthcare: - Healthcare is a right for ALL Missourians and should be accessible regardless of income

- Medicaid expansion should be upheld and funded; access to care should not be blocked

Philip Oehlerking (R)

I am dedicated to lifting up all Missourians to ensure they have a bright future. Having worked at MOHELA, I have helped many college graduates buried under student loan debt which is preventing them from buying a home or starting a family. Not only do we need to adopt policies that make higher education affordable, but we must also adopt policies that promote both high paying STEM jobs and skilled jobs, such as mechanics, plumbers, and HVAC workers.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Colin Lovett (D)

I've been lucky to have many positive role models in my life, but the one who had the biggest influence was my grandfather. He (and my grandmother) grew up as poor sharecroppers in the Depression. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he signed up to defend our country; he served in 6 major Naval engagements in the Pacific as an electrician. He later served in Korea, and most notably, was the head of the military police unit that guarded the Little Rock 9 at Central High School in 1957, the year it was integrated. In civilian life, my grandfather rose to regional leadership in the Communication Workers of America (CWA) Union, fighting every day for working-class Americans. He had a strong moral foundation to do the right thing, even when it wasn't easy or popular. He was a tireless fighter, and when no one would stand up to take an unwanted task or defend the voiceless, my grandfather would. I had the privilege of living with him in his final years and co-authored the memoir to his family about his and my grandmothers' lives. He met every definition of true American patriotism and heroism, and he certainly was mine.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Colin Lovett (D)

Integrity

Honesty Empathy Thoughtful Ability to listen

Ability to communicate

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Colin Lovett (D)

Integrity

Honesty Empathy Thoughtful Ability to listen

Ability to communicate

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Colin Lovett (D)

I turned 18 (and turned in my draft card) two weeks before 9/11/2001. I remember watching the second tower fall in my homeroom class that morning. I considered enlisting and following in the footsteps of my grandfather, but I was a closeted gay kid and Don't Ask Don't Tell was in effect.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Colin Lovett (D)

I worked for my dad's company when I was in high school. At first, he owned a small competitive local exchange (phone) company - I worked on various administrative and janitorial tasks including the mailroom, rate auditing, and cleaning the bathrooms. Later he got into consulting, where I assisted with rate and contract analysis, corresponding with clients and vendors, and other various odd jobs. It really gave me a good sense of hard work, responsibility, and how to run a business. I worked for dad part and full time throughout college, until graduation.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Colin Lovett (D)

I'm a musician, so... a lot! Here are the last 3 this week...

- Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger - Daft Punk - Beethoven Symphony No 9

- Physical - Dua Lipa

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Colin Lovett (D)

- Growing our economy while ensuring we have fair and good-paying jobs

- Expanding access to affordable healthcare and eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse in the healthcare system

- Enhancing how we fund and regulate education, including resource provisioning and expanding access to post K12 education

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Colin Lovett (D)

Yes. The Missouri State House is comprised of 163 districts, and passing legislation requires a majority. In order to get legislation passed or defeated, having working relationships with other legislators is effective in improving communication and collaboration. As we each represent our own district, it's important to be able to discuss the benefits and impacts that proposed legislation might have on the people we represent. Not everyone has to be friends, but we should all be able to find ways to work together.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Colin Lovett (D)

Yes, sometimes. The job of the State Representative is to improve and perfect policies before implementing them; effective collaboration and alignment are critical. However, protecting peoples' rights and dignity is a priority for me and is non-negotiable.

See also

More about these elections:

• Missouri House of Representatives elections, 2022

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