Missouri Third Congressional District candidate: Dr. Bob Onder
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
ABC 17 News is interviewing candidates in the August primary ahead of the election. Below is an interview with Dr. Bob Onder, one of six Republicans seeking election to Missouri's Third Congressional District seat being vacated by Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer, who is stepping down to retire.
The district includes much of Mid-Missouri, including Columbia and Boone County south of Interstate 70.
Onder's highest-profile opponent in the Republican primary is Kurt Schaefer.
Meghan Drakas: What are the major focuses of your campaign?
Dr. Bob Onder: Yeah, Meghan, The major focus of our campaign include, first and foremost security, securing the border, ending the invasion of 10 million illegal immigrants enabled by the Biden administration, returning to the Trump secure border. Policies of building the wall, "remain in Mexico." Secondly, getting our economy going again. Getting our inflation under control. Drilling for domestic energy to end our dependence on foreign oil and foreign dictators. And then getting the woke mandates and indoctrination out of education, including ending the Department of Education.
Drakas: And how will your background, especially being a doctor, help you succeed if elected?
Onder: Yeah, well, of course, health care, it is an enormous part of the federal budget. It's an enormous part of our economy. So, yes, my background as a physician, as an attorney is going to be helpful to help Donald Trump enact his agenda in his second term.
Drakas: And you mentioned you are endorsed by President Trump. What does that endorsement mean for you in your campaign?
Onder: Yeah, I think the endorsement of President Trump means that the president recognizes that I am the America First Trump conservative in this race. The candidate who will most help him get our economy moving again to secure our borders, get our domestic energy industry going again, protect our Second Amendment rights. And improve education. No, I was very honored to receive the president's endorsement.
Drakas: And speaking of Trump, what are your thoughts on the current political atmosphere and then the rhetoric surrounding it currently?
Onder: Sure. There's no question that President Trump, from the time he first announced his candidacy as president, has been under under perpetual attack, first by the fake Russian collusion hoax and then by Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi with the bogus impeachment hearings, and then multiple lawsuits, lawsuits and criminal prosecutions against the president, all of which are utterly bogus. Unfortunately, the Democrat Party, Joe Biden, the left, have put Donald Trump continuously in the crosshairs. It's not surprising that the violent actions of the would-be assassin happened on [July 13]. No, the rhetoric definitely needs to be turned down a notch. We need to be unified. We need to move together as a country. And I believe that's what Donald Trump will be doing for our country. And that's what I hope to help Donald Trump do come January of 2025.
Drakas: And after the attempt on former president's life, have you considered personally making any changes to your public appearances?
Onder: No, I really haven't. It's very important that candidates get out there and meet the voters. We were just on the other side of the district at a parade last night. So, no, I continue to continue to knock doors, to go to events, to parades, to county fairs now, where we're we're going full speed ahead."
Drakas: And Dr. Onder is there anything else that you would like to add on and share with the voters?
Onder: No, I think I'd say again that Donald Trump honored me vary greatly by by choosing me as the person who is the America first Trump conservative, who will help make America great again, put America first in his second term.
