Mr. Smith: Our choice for Congress

Editor's note: As editor of the news department, Bob Miller abstained from the decision to endorse.

Former U.S. Reps. Bill and Jo Ann Emerson were a fixture in Southeast Missouri politics for 30-plus years.

In 1980, Bill Emerson, running in Missouri's 10th District, made history by becoming the first Republican to win the district's congressional seat in more than 50 years. In 1982, after redistricting, he regularly carried the 8th District until his death in 1996.

But where Bill Emerson left off upon his death in 1996, his wife Jo Ann Emerson picked up. From 1996 through her landside victory in 2012, Jo Ann Emerson handily won re-election. In some ways, this is what made her resignation from Congress late last year a surprise. But it's time to move on, and Tuesday voters will choose a new member to represent the 8th District.

Republican Jason Smith, Democrat Steve Hodges, Libertarian Bill Slantz and the Constitution Party candidate Doug Enyart will appear on the ballot. Two write-in candidates have also campaigned for votes.

It's been an interesting race to watch. The Republicans were off to an early start. A crowded field of candidates lobbied the 86-member committee charged with selecting a nominee.

The field was a mix of veteran politicos and up-and-comers. Several of the candidates had significant name recognition, but an unscientific poll conducted in late January by the Southeast Missourian revealed that State Rep. Jason Smith was poised to do well among committee members. He did garner significant support, and after six rounds of voting, the 32-year-old lawyer from Salem, Mo. received the nod.

It was a different story for the Democratic committee. A few candidates were discussed leading up to the Feb. 16 meeting in Poplar Bluff, Mo. But three days before the vote, State Rep. Steve Hodges, 64, entered the race. A former grocery store owner, Hodges won the nomination in the first round of voting.

This editorial board has not endorsed many candidates in recent years, but the significance of this election and the awkward, compressed time period for voters to make a decision, have led us to make our choice public.

We appreciate all the candidates who put their name in the running. Running for office is no easy task. The process can be draining, but it's important to have good candidates.

We've met with Smith and Hodges and genuinely like both men. Each is personable, cares for the district and its people, and, we believe, wants to make a difference through public service.

Both men have served in the General Assembly and have a connection to the district's important agriculture industry -- Smith runs his family's farm and Hodges owned a grocery store.

Each brings a valuable education background to the table. Smith attended the University of Missouri, where he earned undergraduate degrees in agricultural economics and business administration in just three years. He went on to receive his law degree from Oklahoma City University. Hodges completed his undergraduate studies at Southeast Missouri State University and earned an MBA from the University of Missouri.

Our decision comes down to two factors: policy and the current political climate.

Jason Smith has a clear understanding of the major issues facing the country and what policies he would support to address them. His experience as a legislator, House majority whip and speaker pro tem bodes well for him in Congress.

Smith understands the critical juncture at which we stand on the nation's debt. He knows how burdensome regulations can cause havoc on small businesses and farms. He's opposed to the health care law, which continues to unravel into a mess and drive up premiums.

Should he be elected, we believe Smith would support policies that would decrease government spending, lower taxes, support private sector growth and new jobs, and not shy away from other important issues that must be addressed.

The second reason for our endorsement, the political climate, covers a myriad reasons. The most recent issues dominating the news -- the Benghazi investigation, IRS targeting conservative not-for-profit groups, and the Justice Department secretly obtaining an unnecessary (and potentially unconstitutional) broad swath of phone records from The Associated Press -- should concern all Americans. It's important to have members in Congress who will investigate these ongoing issues and ask tough questions.

With the balance of power in the House relatively tight, it's key to have a conservative member who would not vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. We saw what happened when the Democrats had control of the presidency, Senate and House of Representatives. Midterm elections are a little over a year away, and we do not want to see this type of centralized power by the party with its current leadership.

Finally, Smith has an impressive list of endorsements, including: Missouri Cattlemen's Association, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Right to Life, National Federation of Independent Businesses, National Rifle Association and National Right to Life. These are important endorsements, and we're happy to see the support for Smith.

Although we like Steve Hodges as an individual, we believe Jason Smith is better suited to represent the 8th District in Congress. It's our hope that on Tuesday voters send Mr. Smith to Washington.

No matter which candidate you prefer, please vote June 4. American democracy depends on citizen engagement.