http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/congressio_6989.mp3
The August primary will whittle down the race for Missouri’s 7th Congressional District: that’s the seat in the US House of Representatives that covers southwest Missouri. KSMU invited all Republican and Democratic candidates running for the seat to come discuss their backgrounds, priorities and campaigns. Today, we hear from Republican Darrell Moore of Springfield. KSMU’s Jennifer Moore reports.
Darrell Moore: Well, I come from Springfield, Missouri. I was born and raised here, and I attended the public schools before going to Southwest Baptist College, at the time. I then attended the University of Missouri Law School. Most people probably know me as the Greene County Prosecutor, the elected prosecutor for the past 11 and a half years.
KSMU: What are the top two or three issues you’re campaigning on?
Moore: The primary part of my campaign is ideas. What I hear from people when I go out and speak is, yes they are frustrated, but the question is, "What specifically will you do?"
First, we’ve got to create jobs. I think we have to have a plan, that if Republicans get control of Congress, we immediately set about in January passing that plan to create jobs. And the second issue is, how are we going to redesign and refocus and limit what the federal budget does, so that the federal budget and deficit decreases? Until we get the federal budget under control, not much else good is going to happen.
KSMU: Who are your top donors?Moore: Average people. Jerry and Theresa Sunmers of Aurora. Mark Cook and his family. Most of the people who have donated to my campaign are just average people, retired people, retired teachers who are vested in the campaign.
KSMU: Are you working with consultants? Moore: No, originally we did talk to a consultant in Washington, but…I thought their ideas would not be good. We are working with Angela Smith and her people as our media consultants.
KSMU: What sets you apart from the other Republicans in the race?Moore: Well I’ll give a brief answer here, but I encourage people to go to my website, www.mooreaccountability.com. …The first thing is my ability to bring conservative principled ideas to apply solutions to existing problems. Restorative justice would be one. We worked with truancy in the school system in another…We have one of the top four DWI Courts in the United States.
The second thing is…government alone cannot and should solve all of our problems. So I’ve worked with non-profits, individuals, businesses and corporations to pursue those ideas in the community.
The third thing I think I bring to the table is not just looking for ideas…but I’ve looked at "Will this actually solve the problem and help people enjoy a better life?" So I think those three things set me apart from my opponents.
Note: To view interviews with other candidates, click on "Road to the Capitol" on our website, www.ksmu.org.