Steve Chentnik

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Steve Chentnik

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 4, 2020

Personal

Birthplace

Gary, Ind.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Operations manager, quality control manager

Contact

Campaign website

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Steve Chentnik (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Missouri's 7th Congressional District. He lost in the Republican primary on August 4, 2020.

Chentnik completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Steve Chentnik was born in Gary, Indiana. He attended North Arkansas Community College for his education. Chentnik's career experience includes working as an operations manager and quality control manager.

Elections

2020

See also: Missouri's 7th Congressional District election, 2020

Missouri's 7th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 4 Republican primary)

Missouri's 7th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 4 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Missouri District 7

Incumbent Billy Long defeated Teresa Montseny (Unofficially withdrew), Kevin Craig, Audrey Richards, and Dennis Davis in the general election for U.S. House Missouri District 7 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Billy Long (R)	68.9	254,318
		Teresa Montseny (D) (Unofficially withdrew)	26.6	98,111
		Kevin Craig (L)	4.2	15,573
		Audrey Richards (Independent) (Write-in)	0.3	1,279
	Submit photo	Dennis Davis (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	2

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 369,283
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Missouri District 7

Teresa Montseny advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Missouri District 7 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Teresa Montseny	100.0	30,568

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 30,568
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Sharon Hall (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Missouri District 7

Incumbent Billy Long defeated Eric Harleman, Kevin VanStory, Steve Chentnik, and Camille Lombardi-Olive in the Republican primary for U.S. House Missouri District 7 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Billy Long	66.1	69,319
	Submit photo	Eric Harleman	11.1	11,688
		Kevin VanStory	10.0	10,482
		Steve Chentnik	7.1	7,393
		Camille Lombardi-Olive	5.7	5,966

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 104,848
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Benjamin Holcomb (R)

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for U.S. House Missouri District 7

Kevin Craig advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. House Missouri District 7 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kevin Craig	100.0	508

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 508
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Steve Chentnik completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chentnik's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Steve Chentnik and I'm running for US Congress in Missouri's 7th District. I live in Branson, and have also lived in Webb City, Carthage, and Oronogo. I moved to Missouri with my family 19 years ago. My two daughters and two grandchildren live and work in our district, as did I until starting my campaign last August. I am recently Widowed after 40 years with my best friend Leslie.

My beliefs are strong, and I am willing to fight for our district when necessary to preserve our way of life.

I, like everyone else am tired of the Washington bureaucracy. It is time for a change in MO 7th district, The current incumbent has been in congress for 9 years, and most people of our district believe it is time for that change. I believe the Country is headed in the wrong direction, and what we need in Washington is someone willing to fight when necessary, and not just punch the party ticket, and I believe I am that person. I am not a politician, nor am I politically correct, nor will I ever be. I am just like every other hard working Missourian that is longing for a change, We must change out the current members of Congress that have failed us for so long. This country is changing dramatically, and it is for the worse and we have to stop it before it is too late!!

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?

• I am right to life first and foremost. I believe every child is a gift from God, and deserves to be born and become what she or he chooses to be in life. We must change the laws and eliminate this barbaric practice called abortion.
• We need healthcare change and transparency. Congress had 8 yeras to come up with a plan during Obama's distasterous presidency, and failed to do so. I am sure we can develop a plan that ensures affordable healthcare and prescription drugs are available for all.
• Our Constitution!! Our rights are being trampled on more and more every day, this must stop, and it must stop now. If we dont change the members of congress in Washington, it will soon be too late and our way of life as we know and love it, will change for ever.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm most passionate about the country going in the wrong direction.

1. We must get a handle on immigration issues (enforcement) and change our system to a merit based one that is more beneficial to the American people instead of a burden and strain on our entire system.
2. We need term limits in both the house and the senate. Career politicians are ruining our country purely for the benefit of staying in power at all cost, you can see it going on right now. The struggle for power and control by the Democrats and some republican's.
3. We need healthcare transparency along with pharmaceutical transparency. A senior citizen, or single mother should never have to decide between eating and prescription drugs, it is just wrong.
4. Free speech is being trampled on along with our constitutional rights, it is time to fight back with everything we have before all our rights are gone.

5. Our senior citizens built this country, our armed forces fought to keep us free, our farmers/ranchers feed all of us, yet these groups continue to struggle in various ways. It is time for someone to step up and be a voice for these folks, and not just lip service, which is what their getting now. Example's? Ranchers losing $100 to $300 per head, while the middleman profits extremely well, just look at the price of meat in the grocery stores. While improving, veterans are still not getting the focus they need and deserve. Our seniors have been neglected for far too long and this must change.

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

I look up to Jesus Christ, and I am trying to follow his example, and I know I fall far short of it, but I'm still trying!!

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Read my website, call or email me, it shows where I stand on all the issues in black and white, no fluff, BS, or trying to appease everyone, and in the end appeasing no one.

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

Honesty first and foremost, then a politician should have the ability to compromise when necessary without sacrificing their principles or morals. They should listen to all his or hers constituents before making any major decisions, keeping their best interests in mind, remember their representing the people of their district, not just themselves!! .

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

I am honest, and sincere, I'm a fighter for what is right, and I never start a fight, but will never backdown from one. I can compromise when necessary but not at the expense of my beliefs. I possess more common sense than half of congress put together (you figure out which half). I am an everyday normal American that loves my country, and will not let it deteriorate. I believe you can do whatever you want to in life if you try hard enough. I think America is ready for a change from the status quo politicians.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

First defend our Constitution, then Introduce meaningful legislation for the betterment of our country and our citizens, it really is that simple, they just make it complicated.

What legacy would you like to leave?

One that makes a huge impact. My most passionate legacy would be to overturn Roe vs. Wade in our supreme court. In this day and age (or any day and age) it is sickening that someone would terminate a human life when there are other options. abortion is murder, pure and simple, and all the politicians and people ignoring it will not change that fact.

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

I actually can remember the Kennedy assassination in 1963. I was three years old at the time but remember the affect it had on my parents at the time. I can remember watching all the news and events associated with it on our black and white TV.

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

When I moved to Arkansas in 1976, I took a job washing dishes at a Holiday Inn hotel restaurant for the summer. I then became a grounds keeper in the spring of 1977 for a manufacturing plant, and worked at it for 2 years, then took a job in that plant in production, quality, engineering, and ultimately management, working there for 21 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Of mice and men. Read it and you'll know why.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Wiley Coyote, the guy never gives up!!!

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

Thunderstruck by AC/DC.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I've taken life head on at an early age, I look at my life as opportunities and challenges, not struggles. I have overcome many, many, obstacles in my life, but if I had to answer from a struggle standpoint, I would say, it is all the loses in my life, as you get older, you realize everyone you've known and loved your entire life, or most of it, passes on. Seems like you wake up one day realizing that you are now the one that is older and looked up to by your family, while also realizing that the majority of your life is now behind you.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

There currently is no good process, each side tries to benefit by drawing new districts and lines to stack the deck in their favor, so to speak. Instead of drawing new lines, why don't we try another new approach, since the population is not going down anytime soon, let's try increasing the amount of people required for each district, in other words, no new lines, if a district is 711,000 people, then just increase it for each district, If the district is decreasing in population, leave it alone.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It is supposed to represent "we the people" with our best interest in mind when introducing meaningful legislation to benefit the majority, however, it is no longer effective, hence the 25% approval rating from the American people!!! They fight, bicker, stall, introduce crap for legislation, all while practicing partisan politics. So my answer is, very few in the house posses any qualities. it is also why we need change, everybody complains, but still vote in the same people time after time, after time, and expect something different from them!! I believe that is called insanity.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Once they become "experienced" that is when the trouble begins. It is why we need term limits, politicians stay in far too long, and many, not all become corrupt and power hungry. Life experience, career experience, and family experience, along with some good old fashion common sense (which don't seem to be too common anymore) is what is beneficial.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Our biggest challenge will be not losing who and what we are, what makes us unique and independent. The current politicians in Washington are trying their best to change our way of life forever, taking away our rights, and imposing their deranged ideals on America. We are not socialists, nor will we ever be, people that want that, don't really understand what exactly socialism is. Immigration is also a big part of what the left is trying desperately to change, with the goal of making all illegals legal, allowing them to vote, and in essence control and have the power in our government for generations to come. Its happening right now with the left wanting mail-in voting, and open borders.

Some, if not many, would love to see a so called "world order" and it has become obvious, it is no longer a conspiracy theory, it is real, and people are finally realizing what is going on.

President Trump (love him or hate him) is correct in that the swamp in Washington must continue to be drained if our children and grandchildren are to have a fighting chance at preserving the things that make our Country great and exceptional.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Many, including agriculture, armed services, foreign affairs, veteran affairs, oversight and reform rules. These are just some to focus on during my first of two terms (remember I believe and will practice term limits).

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes, with term limits set at three terms, at the most. Any more than that and they become part of the problem, not the solution. Think about that for one moment?? If there were term limits, representatives would spend their term doing the peoples business instead of figuring out on how to stay in congress as long as they can. the current situation lends itself to partisan politics, in fighting, finger pointing, and the inability to get anything done. Again, hence the 25% approval rating for congress!!!

What are your thoughts on term limits?

100% in favor of term limits, make no mistake about it, I believe they are essential going forward if we are to retain and improve our democracy.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

No, I am me, and if elected, I will go to Washington with the good people of my districts best interest in mind, fighting for them and our countries future, again, I am not a politician, I am a concerned American willing to fight for our future.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I have been out on the campaign trail since last August, and I have to honestly say that all the stories I have heard are memorable, touching, and will have an impact on my decision making once in Washington. We have to remember, everyone's story is the most important story or issue to them, think about it!

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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Footnotes

[show]

Missouri's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Josh Hawley (R)

Eric Schmitt (R)

Representatives

District 1

Wesley Bell (D)

District 2

Ann Wagner (R)

District 3

Bob Onder (R)

District 4

Mark Alford (R)

District 5

Emanuel Cleaver (D)

District 6

Sam Graves (R)

District 7

Eric Burlison (R)

District 8

Jason Smith (R)

Republican Party (8)

Democratic Party (2)