We do participate in the government programs, like probably 95 percent of farmers do. People who aren't familiar with the agriculture industry, you know, try and make that look like something exceptional.

She won a crowded seven-way primary with 40 percent of the vote. Her accomplishments included leadership on legislation facilitating the adoption process. Hartzler represented District 124 in the Missouri House from 1995 to 2000.

Besides Jefferson City it includes other cities such as Sedalia Warrensburg Marshall and Lebanon. The district takes in most of the western-central part of the state from Jefferson City the state capital to the eastern Kansas City suburbs. She is a member of the Republican Party.