Campaign 2022: One-on-one with U.S. Senate Candidate Vicky Hartzler

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - In just about one week, voters in Missouri will head to the polls to choose who they want to represent them in the U.S. Senate.

Three Republicans are vying for the seat. Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler.

On Monday morning, KCTV5′s Sharon Chen sat down with Hartzler to get her take on the important issues impacting her state and what she wants you to know before you cast your vote.

“I’m a wife, a mom, schoolteacher, small business owner,” Hartzler said of herself.

She is in her sixth term representing Missouri’s 4th Congressional district and is now setting her sights on the U.S. Senate.

In Washington, Hartzler serves on the House Armed Services and Agriculture committees while also championing conservative causes on the cultural front.

Hartzler says following the end of Roe v. Wade, she stands by Missouri’s ban on abortion, even in circumstances like rape or incest.

“I’ve met several people who were conceived through rape or incest and they were so grateful that had a chance to live,” she said.

The Congresswoman is clear to say there are better options other than ending the child’s life.

“That’s why I’m such a big supporter of the pregnancy help centers that are all over Missouri, ready to come alongside and help expectant mothers in a very difficult or unplanned pregnancy,” she said.

However, she does say she supports birth control.

Recently, Hartzler faced backlash after speaking out about transgender athlete Lia Thomas. She was suspended from Twitter but continues to stand by her tweet.

“We know that records have been broken by them [transgender athletes] and it’s just not fair,” she said. “It comes down to fairness, so I’m going to keep on speaking up for girls’ sports because I think if i don’t it’s going to decimate women’s sports.”

When it comes to those speaking up for her — recently she was snubbed by former President Donald Trump, who said “she doesn’t have what it takes to take on the radical left,” — Hartzler says she was surprised and in some ways disappointed, but she will continue to champion his values.

“I still support his America-first agenda because it worked, and I want to continue to advance those things to get our economy going,” she said. “We have a great working relationship and I think that will continue as well.”

Hartzler is backed by a number of agricultral groups, including the Missouri Farm Bureau. She is also backed by fellow Congressman Josh Hawley.

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