Two candidates – Republican incumbent Bennie Cook and Democrat challenger Bernadette Holzer – are running for a two-year term in the 143rd district of the Missouri House of Representatives. Read their thoughts on local issues.
Bennie Cook
My wife, Amanda, our children and I live on a farm outside of Houston, where we enjoy educating our children on the value of hard work. During our 20 years of marriage, I have been a commissioned deputy sheriff with the Texas County Sheriff’s Department. I have also volunteered as the Emergency Management Director for Texas County and the City of Houston. I had the opportunity to be the Director of the Texas County Food Pantry and Salvation Army for 4 years, before joining the Congressman Jason Smith Team as a field representative/constituent specialist. I currently serve as a board member for the Houston Lions Club, the Houston Bright Futures, the Texas County Farm Bureau, Oak Hill Christian Church and I’m the coordinator of the Texas County Shop with a Hero Program.
What are the greatest needs you see in the district, and how will you tackle that?
We must offer children a quality education to yield productive members for our community. Our children need to be prepared for higher education and the workforce. By learning the needs of the school, we can find solutions to address them. It may require looking for local, state or federal grants, changes in state statute/regulation or funding from the state budget.
We need to continuously improve access to health care in our rural areas, by working with our hospital to retain high quality physicians, nurses, health care staff and ensuring our hospital has the equipment needed to treat their patients. Meeting with the hospital to gain knowledge of their critical needs, I can then advocate for funding in the state budget or assist the facilities with state or federal grants.
Investing in our infrastructure is very important to the development and connectivity of our area. This would include improving broadband for our district, maintaining and upgrading Shafer Road, addressing concerns with U.S. 63 and other local roads and bridges. I have been and will stay engaged with residents and community leaders to find solutions for these issues and others.
What needs to occur to encourage more economic development in rural Missouri?
We must highlight our quality education, health care access and expanded broadband that will allow growth opportunities to attract businesses to rural Missouri.
The community as a whole must work together to address needs and develop plans for the future. I have been and will continue to work with community leaders, organizations and residents to address needs in the district and look for solutions for these needs.
We have to reform our welfare system. The government has to stop incentivizing people to stay home instead of getting back in the workforce. Businesses need employees to function and we must ensure all able-bodied adults are in the workforce instead of living off taxpayer-funded welfare systems.
How will you work to improve broadband service in this region?
A large amount of funding was secured to increase access to broadband in rural Missouri. I will continue to advocate for rural Missouri and especially the 143rd District to have reliable broadband service. I will continue to meet with broadband providers and encourage them to expand into our region.
In conclusion, this election is the most important election of our time. We must Vote No on Amendment 3! We must secure our southern border, stop the inflation nightmare, cut regulations and we MUST Take America Back.
I took an oath to support the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Missouri and I will always fight to ensure no one takes our freedoms away. I humbly ask for your prayers, support and vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5, to continue to serve as your 143rd District state representative.
Bernadette Holzer
I’ve lived in Texas County for most of my life, where my family runs a hay farm. My background is grounded in public service, with a family legacy in education, the military and community outreach. My mother was a teacher, my father served as a Marine and my extended family was involved in missionary work and small business ownership.
I am a musician, an activist and a former small business owner. I’d like to re-open my business, in the near future, offering therapeutic health care including several disciplines.
Our community has shaped who I am, and I am passionate about improving the lives of all residents here. After winning the Democratic primary on Aug. 6, 2024, I am committed to advancing key issues such as health care access, support for local agriculture, ensuring fair wages and protecting our environment. I’m also dedicated to ensuring that women’s reproductive rights are protected and that everyone in our district – regardless of background – has the opportunity to thrive.
What are the greatest needs you see in the district, and how will you tackle that?
Several pressing issues face our district, including health care, economic opportunity, infrastructure and access to women’s health care and reproductive rights.
- Health care: Our district faces a shortage of accessible, affordable healthcare, especially in rural areas. Expanding Medicaid and telemedicine services is a top priority, as is securing more funding for rural health clinics. This will help bridge the gap in care for the elderly, people with disabilities and low-income families who need access to quality healthcare.
- Women’s Health care & Reproductive Rights: I am a staunch advocate for women’s rights, including the right to make decisions about their own health care. In today’s political climate, protecting access to reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion services, is more critical than ever. I will fight to preserve access to these essential services, ensure funding for women’s health programs, and advocate for policies that support comprehensive care for women, including contraception, prenatal care and preventive screenings. I petitioned for the Reproductive Rights initiative.
- Economic Opportunity: Many in our district struggle with low-paying jobs and a lack of economic opportunities. To address this, I will advocate for policies that encourage small business growth, workforce development and push for a living wage so families can thrive without worrying about how to make ends meet. I petitioned for the Healthy Familes and Fair Wages Act.
- Infrastructure: Our roads, clean water access and broadband infrastructure are lagging behind. Investing in these areas is critical to modernizing our communities. I will work to ensure we secure state and federal funding to repair roads, upgrade clean water infrastructure and expand broadband service, which is essential for businesses, schools and telehealth. I have applied for grants for trail improvements, and additions of bicycle trails, in our district.
What needs to occur to encourage more economic development in rural Missouri?
Encouraging economic growth in rural Missouri requires a comprehensive plan that addresses the unique challenges our communities face. Here are several key steps to achieving this:
- Expand Broadband: Reliable internet access is a necessity for businesses, students and health care providers in today’s world. I will push for increased state and federal investment in broadband infrastructure through programs like the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) and the USDA ReConnect Program. These programs provide grants and loans to help expand broadband to underserved areas. Additionally, I will advocate for public-private partnerships and tax incentives to encourage telecommunications companies to invest in rural broadband. Municipal broadband initiatives should also be supported to ensure communities have alternatives if private companies aren’t investing.
- Support Small Businesses: Small businesses are the backbone of our rural economy. We need to provide more grant programs and low-interest loans to rural entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their businesses. By cutting red tape and providing resources for mentorship and training, we can encourage a vibrant small business community.
- Invest in Workforce Development: Many residents leave rural Missouri in search of better job opportunities. To reverse this trend, we need to focus on vocational training, STEM education and job retraining programs. This will equip our workforce with the skills needed for the future, particularly in industries like renewable energy, technology and health care.
- Strengthen Agriculture: Farmers face challenges with low prices and environmental issues. By promoting sustainable farming practices and providing incentives for agri-tech innovation, we can help increase productivity and ensure that our farmers remain competitive while also preserving our environment.
How will you work to improve broadband service in this region?
Broadband is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. In today’s economy, reliable high-speed internet is essential for businesses to operate, students to learn and residents to access telemedicine and other critical services. Unfortunately, many parts of Missouri’s 143rd House District lack adequate broadband infrastructure, which holds our communities back. Here’s how I plan to address it:
- Secure State and Federal Funding: I will lobby for Missouri to receive its fair share of funding from federal programs like the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) and the USDA ReConnect Program. These initiatives provide essential financial support for building broadband networks in rural areas.
- Public-Private Partnerships: I will encourage partnerships between local governments, internet service providers and community organizations to build broadband infrastructure using shared resources. By offering tax incentives to companies that invest in rural broadband, we can attract more private sector investment.
- Support for Municipal Broadband: In cases where private providers aren’t willing to invest in rural areas, I will support municipal broadband networks. These community-owned networks can ensure that even the most remote areas have reliable access to high-speed internet.
- Leverage Technology Hubs and Digital Inclusion: Creating regional tech hubs in rural areas can help attract businesses and promote telecommuting opportunities. I will also advocate for programs that provide affordable internet options for low-income households and support digital literacy programs to ensure everyone can fully participate in the digital economy.