Bob Parker, a Raymondville farmer, rancher and longtime 8th District resident, announced this week his intentions to enter the U.S. Congressional race. The Texas County Republican will challenge Rep. Jo Ann Emerson in next August’s Republican primary.
“There’s a big disconnect between the values of the people in the 8th District and the way our current representative is voting on the issues. I have a fundamental disagreement with all of these bailouts of large private companies. And I believe that members of Congress should read every bill in its entirety before casting their vote, or they must vote no. If you don’t read it, how do you know what you’re voting for?” Parker asked, adding, “If 12 years of Washington experience tells you to give the bankers and the insurance companies $700 billion of your grandchildren’s money, I think we need someone a little closer to the people.”
While speaking Aug. 1 in Cabool at the 9th annual Conference on Private Property Rights, to which he brought his multi-year experience in fighting for private property rights and limited government, Parker said, “…can a country with a free enterprise system, with the freedoms that we have, can we continue that with this sort of onslaught of taxes, regulations and bureaucracy? I don’t think we can.”
Parker received the Real Conservationist Award from the organizers of the conference, the Ozarks Property Rights Congress. After relating to the attendees that a government official told him $9 million of federal money would be lost to the state without enactment of more regulation of waterways, he said, “I think the sovereignty of the state of Missouri is worth a lot more than $9 million.”
At the Independence Day Celebration sponsored by VietNow Veterans in Cape Girardeau, Parker cited concerns over the bailout of financial institutions last fall. Despite promises to the contrary, numerous banks have failed, automobile dealerships have closed and millions of jobs have been lost. He pledged never to vote for legislation that he had not read or adequately considered, adding, “I think the 8th District is ready for new leadership in Washington.”
For more information, visit www.electbobparker.com/.