For Immediate Release
September 22, 2010
Contact: Steve Walsh (573) 291-2456
stevewalsh@vickyhartzler.com

September 22, 2010

HARRISONVILLE — 4th Congressional District Republican candidate Vicky Hartzler has received the endorsement of Gun Owners of America (GOA), an organization dedicated to protecting the Second Amendment. Since 1975, Gun Owners of America’s Political Victory Fund has supported the election of pro-gun candidates at all levels of government and has helped pro-gun candidates win hundreds of races across the country.

“I am so pleased to have Gun Owners of America’s endorsement,” said Hartzler. “As a lifelong gun owner who fought for gun owners’ rights during my tenure in the Missouri Legislature I am honored to have Gun Owners of America support our campaign. This endorsement, coupled with the backing of the Western Missouri Shooters Alliance, is strong proof that our victory will ensure the Second Amendment will have no better friend in Congress.”

In its endorsement, Gun Owners of America pointed to Hartzler’s A+ rating from the organization during her time in the Legislature.

“She is just the type of person we need to stand against the anti-gun agenda of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,” wrote GOA Vice Chairman Tim Macy. “The incumbent representative, Ike Skelton, has shown his true colors in the current session of Congress by repeatedly siding with Pelosi on issues important to gun owners. Three times in 2009 he voted against amendments to repeal a gun ban in national parks, while at the same time voting to massively expand the amount of federally controlled land.”

The sentiments expressed in this national endorsement echo those from the Western Missouri Shooters Alliance.

“You have shown yourself to be a friend to the Second Amendment, and thereby a friend to law-abiding citizens,” wrote Alliance President Sheila Stokes-Begley. “Your record in the Missouri House of Representatives is one every Representative should try to emulate. You respect the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution and individual rights.”

Vicky and Lowell Hartzler live near Harrisonville in Cass County, where they operate a diversified crop and livestock family farming operation. They own Hartzler Equipment Company, a family business with three stores in the 4th District. A former classroom teacher, Hartzler served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1995-2000, winning with an average 66 percent of the vote in her three election victories. In 2004, she was spokesperson for Missouri’s successful constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage.