John Brunner in 2016 MO Governor's race


On Abortion: Fight back against judges dictating values on our churches

Unelected federal judges continue to dictate their values on our communities, synagogues, and churches. We will fight back. Dozens of states have sued and taken on the Obama administration's attempts to require churches, Christian universities, and religious organizations to violate their religious convictions. Missouri has yet to join the fight. We must lead from the front! My Mission:
Source: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial campaign website JohnBrunner.com May 10, 2016

On Education: Reject federal Common Core standards

Put students first. Missouri students are not common. Therefore, we reject federal Common Core standards! Instead, we will fight for the standard of excellence that Missouri parents expect from our public schools. My Mission:
Source: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial campaign website JohnBrunner.com May 10, 2016

On Government Reform: Eliminate inefficient, outdated and ineffective programs

Our roads and highways are significantly underfunded and beginning to crumble. It's time to take action. We need to create a smaller, more efficient, and more accountable government. My Mission:
Source: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial campaign website JohnBrunner.com May 10, 2016

On Health Care: Spur competition instead of ObamaCare

I oppose Obamacare and will continue to fight its implementation in Missouri. My focus will be on creating free market based health care solutions. By reforming Missouri's health care system, we will spur competition, increase transparency, reduce costs, and improve access for all Missourians. My Mission:
Source: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial campaign website JohnBrunner.com May 10, 2016

On Welfare & Poverty: Make welfare temporary, not permanent

Our goal: Provide a hand up, not just a hand out. Reform welfare into a temporary not permanent solution, eliminate its expansion, tighten eligibility, and enforce welfare to work requirements.
Source: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial campaign website JohnBrunner.com May 10, 2016

On Civil Rights: Let clergy choose to decline to perform gay marriages

Eric Greitens now stands alone on SJR 39, at least among GOP candidates for governor. His three rivals for the GOP nomination--Peter Kinder, Catherine Hanaway and John Brunner--have all come out in support.

Opponents of the proposal say its passage could cost Missouri jobs as businesses and other organizations already are hinting of boycotts. Proponents of the measure say the state Constitution already protects members of the clergy from perming ceremonies that oppose their religious beliefs.

SJR 39 is backed by conservatives because they say it safeguards those who oppose gay marriage. Many Democrats oppose it precisely because they view the measure as a legal permit to discriminate against same-sex couples. Chris Koster, the presumptive Democratic nominee for governor, also opposes SJR 39.

Source: Kansas City Star on 2016 Missouri governor race Apr 19, 2016

On Drugs: Open to more research about marijuana, nut not legalization

Q: Why is alcohol and packing firearms legal when recreational marijuana is not, given the potential for medical benefits and tax revenues?

A: Brunner was the first to answer, saying he is against the legalization of marijuana. He said he is open to more research about potential medical benefits. He also said he thinks there are other ways to grow the economy that do not involve the possible tax revenues generated legalizing marijuana.

Source: KOMU.com on 2016 Missouri gubernatorial race Mar 18, 2016

On Principles & Values: Lost 2012 primary to Todd Akin, who then lost Senate race

Brunner's family, especially his father (a founder of the Missouri Republican Assembly), had been involved in area Republican politics for decades. But John Brunner personally entered the fray in a big way in 2012 when he ran for the U.S. Senate against then-U.S. Rep. Todd Akin and former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman.

Despite spending millions of dollars of his own money, and leading in many polls, Brunner came in second behind Akin--who soon after self destructed with his comments about "legitimate rape,'' leading to his huge loss in a general election against U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.

After sitting out the 2014 election cycle, Brunner recently formed an exploratory committee to run for governor next year, largely as a response to the Feb. 26 suicide of then-state Auditor Tom Schweich, at the time a leading GOP contender.

Source: St. Louis Public Radio on 2016 Missouri gubernatorial race May 3, 2015

On Social Security: Gradually raise the Social Security retirement age

During a news conference, Brunner reaffirmed his plans to "cut the spending" in the federal government. When pressed for examples of his planned spending cuts, Brunner said he was looking at various proposals offered by various Republicans and conservative groups. His one specific example was a call to "gradually raise the retirement age" before people could collect Social Security.
Source: StLBeacon.org on 2016 Missouri gubernatorial race Aug 3, 2012

The above quotations are from 2016 Missouri Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
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Page last updated: Dec 08, 2018