HARRISONVILLE — Dozens of military veterans hit the road early today, visiting counties throughout the 4th Congressional District in support of Republican candidate Vicky Hartzler. Hartzler has been responding to lies from Congressman Ike Skelton regarding votes she cast in the Missouri Legislature in the 1990s. And these veterans, members of a Hartzler coalition known as “Veterans for Vicky” decided to set the record straight.

“We are tired of the lies the Skelton campaign is telling,” said Lt. Col. Cathy Bennett, USAF Retired, of Green Ridge. “Vicky Hartzler’s father served as an Army Reservist for several years. She is pro-military and it angers me to see and hear ads saying anything but. Spreading the message today is the least I can do to help set the record straight. I am proud to do it.”

Simultaneous Veterans for Vicky tours began this morning in Wheatland, Waynesville, and Harrisonville. They are continuing through this evening, wrapping up in Lebanon, Jefferson City, and Warrensburg.

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 1995-2001, 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.