Libertarian Slantz says he isn't beholden to special interests

A break from the "duality of major party representation" is what 8th Congressional District candidate Bill Slantz, a Libertarian, said he wants to offer constituents.

Slantz is among four candidates whose names will appear on the ballot in the June 4 special election. When over, the election will produce a successor to Jo Ann Emerson, a Republican who represented the district in Congress for more than 16 years. Emerson resigned in January to become CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Libertarians in February nominated Slantz, a St. Charles, Mo., business owner, to run as their party's candidate.

Other candidates are Doug Enyart of the Constitution Party, Democratic state representative Steve Hodges and Missouri House of Representatives Speaker Pro Tem Jason Smith, a Republican. Thomas W. Brown and Dr. Robert George also are seeking the seat as independent write-in candidates.

This is Slantz's second bid for a U.S. House of Representatives seat. He ran in the 2nd Congressional District, in 2012. Republican Ann Wagner won the seat with 60 percent of the vote. Slantz garnered 2.3 percent. No Libertarians are serving in the U.S. Congress. In the last 8th District election in 2012, Libertarian candidate Rick Vandeven took 3.5 percent of the vote.

Slantz acknowledged his party's candidates often have a tough time getting support from voters in large-scale elections, but said he feels the situation is because of the way the media's coverage of elections has developed and the cost of advertising and promoting a campaign.

"The media is the vehicle for politicians," he said, "and [Democrats and Republicans] are the ones who can buy the airtime. It makes it very difficult for us."

Slantz said he wants voters to know the Libertarian Party's representatives hold the belief that they always are better to establish policy through lawmaking in the best interest of their constituents -- and said members of his party can do that because they are not beholden to special interests.

"I wish people would look at that the largest amounts of contributions come from corporations and lobbying groups for these parties," Slantz said. "And I just don't have that tie."

As for his positions on issues that affect the 8th District, Slantz said he believes he is in line with many people to a further extent than they may realize.

"Generally, I want people to act for themselves in their own best interests," Slantz said. "For me, the main theme throughout dealing with any issue is to first consider personal freedom and personal responsibility."

On agriculture, a major economic driver in the 8th District that covers 30 counties in Southeast and Southern Missouri, Slantz said he is in support of as much deregulation as possible. His Democratic and Republican opponents have advocated for the passage of a farm bill, a federal program that provides crop insurance and subsidies for farmers.

"The farm bill is, in my opinion, a quintessential example of where special interests are getting involved in regulation," Slantz said. "And they've regulated the small farmer right out of the business."

Slantz said he is opposed to any and all forms of gun control. He said he also supports shutting down many government agencies that he said make too many rules that interfere with people's lives -- the Drug Enforcement Administration is one -- and he also would like to see anti-drug laws abolished, apart from laws for juveniles.

Slantz said he believes open immigration should be allowed, but was quick to point out he does not support any type of government assistance for anyone who has so far entered the country illegally.

Slantz equated his views to those of most Libertarians, but said he hopes voters will realize "the Libertarian tent is very big."

"There is always room for acceptance," he said.

eragan@semissourian.com

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