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Top issues this year in Missouri and my views

1. Medical malpractice reform - Tort reform is needed in Missouri badly. More doctors are moving out of state than are coming into it. Medical liability reform needs to cap jury awards.

2. Gay marriage - I worked hard to get the ban on same sex marriage passed, and it did. I was a youth pastor, so my views are very simple on this issue.

3. Gambling - There has been a trend to erase the loss limit that we have on riverboats here in KC...I am against erasing these limits beyond the $500.00 limit now in place.

4. KC School District - There has been some legislation that tried to limit who can be considered a drop out. This would help with accreditation...I am against this...I want transparency and honesty. If the district can't honestly earn accreditation, then they don't deserve it and need to work harder educating instead of covering their own behinds.

5. Liquor sales on Sunday - I don't believe in liquor sales on Sunday. There is a trend to lower the percentage limit on food sold so a business can sell liquor on Sunday. Currently that limit is 50% of their business must be food related, they want to lower that to 30%...I am against this issue.

6. Small percentage wish Missouri to legalize pot for medical purposes. I am against any legalization of pot for any purpose.

This is a small list of issues currently going on. I am a very conservative Republican, so conservative on some issues that I surprise myself sometimes. I am a father of two beautiful daughters and the husband of a very lovely conservative lady. I am a former youth pastor. Currently I am in the tech industry and 6 months from finishing my Masters degree.

A few questions to consider for yourself, all of which can be used in framing your approach/style/message:

How long has your prospective opponent been in office?

How liberal or conservative is the district?

How much money does she have in her campaign war chest?

How long has it been since she had any opposition?

Is she generally likable (personality-wise) to the point it may mitigate any concerns voters may have with some of her stands on the issues?

What are her skeletons?

What are your skeletons?

How old are you?

How old is your opponent?

Is your opponent married? Have children?

What do you do for a living? Is there any chance of garnering support/funding from co-workers/colleagues?

Is there any chance of garnering support/funding from your fellow church/congregation members?

Have you been active in GOP politics in MO and/or in your district?

What is the breakdown in voter registration in your district? Can a Republican win over an entrenched Democrat? Can a conservative win over a liberal or moderate?

A few suggestions:

Join any GOP clubs in/affecting your district.

Go to the State GOP Convention (if your State has one).

If your State GOP has Central Committees, get involved - or run for a Seat on the Central Committee. A lot of GOP State parties consider the Central Committee to be something of a "farm team" for future candidates.

Attend the fundraisers of other GOP candidates in/near/affecting your district in order to "get known."

If MO has "off year" elections for any level of office, get involved in a few campaigns. Once you put your name out there, help when asked.

If you are serious about running, begin going door to door -talking with people, dropping off campaign materials, explain why you are running and why a change is needed.

Some States (don't know about MO) allow prospective candidates to form "Exploratory Committees." This, you can use to raise money to see if your candidacy would be viable without having to actually declare for office. Check with your State Board of Elections to learn MO's regs and statutes.

Obtain (if affordable) GOP lists in your State - do a mailer expressing interest/asking for funds. Considering your issues stands, go for the more Christian conservative lists or issues lists. How are you on the issue of gun ownership? Compare this with your opponents stands. Occasionally the NRA will contribute to State/Local races if the divide between the two candidates is stark enough.

Spearhead a local issue - garner media attention. Become a spokesman for a cause. Have friends (not family) write letters to the editor to local papers praising your perspective. If your area has local talk radio, have these people also call in to the radio shows. (You should have them do this in support of your candidacty, once you are running.)

Once running, target your literature - have more than one palm card or brochure printed up - each for use in different areas of your district if the district is politically diverse. I am not saying you should be less than truthful on any campaign piece, but I am saying you should do your best to tailor your message to your audience.

One candidate, now a Member of his State's House of Delegates, had a number of buttons printed up that read"

"Who is Steve Smith?" (Not his real name.) He'd wear the buttons to various political events (bullroasts, cookouts, Lincoln Day Dinners, etc.), and when folks would ask him on occasion just who IS Steve Smith, he would answer that he was - and begin talking about why he was running for office.

There is a lot you can do, but you need to have a game plan. You need to raise money and shake hands early. Get involved as soon as possible. I'm sure I've missed a ton of things here, but good luck!