Early life, education, and pre-political career

Luetkemeyer was born in Jefferson City, Missouri on May 7, 1952. He attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and with a minor in business administration. A lifelong farmer who is the fourth generation of his family to own their farm, Luetkemeyer has also owned several small businesses, as well as running a bank and serving as an insurance agent. He also served on the Board of Trustees for the village of St. Elizabeth.

Missouri state politics

In 1998, Luetkemeyer was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives from the 115th district. During his time as a state representative, Luetkemeyer served as chair of the Financial Services Committee and as House Republican Caucus Chairman. During his time in the state legislature, Luetkemeyer co-sponsored the statewide constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman, which was overwhelmingly approved by Missouri voters statewide in 2004 by a margin of 71-29. He also worked on legislation which allowed Missourians to carry concealed firearms, banned partial-birth abortions, and reformed worker compensation laws. In addition, he has supported the de-regulation of the financial industry—specifically the lending industry.

In 2004, he did not seek reelection but instead was one of seven Republicans who ran for the office of State Treasurer. He finished second in the Republican primary, losing to Sarah Steelman who went on to win the general election. In 2005, Luetkemeyer was appointed by former Governor Matt Blunt to serve as Missouri Tourism Director, a post he held until running for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008. One of his projects was working with Blunt and Lt. Governor Peter Kinder to start the Tour of Missouri, a cycling event modeled on the Tour de France.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2008

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri, 2008 § District 9

In the Republican primary, Luetkemeyer won with 39.7% of the vote, against rivals state representatives Bob Onder and Danie Moore, as well as Brock Olivo and Dan Bishir. Then in the general election Luetkemeyer defeated (with 50.0%) Democrat Judy Baker (47.5%) and Libertarian Party candidate Tamara Millay (2.5%) for the seat vacated by Kenny Hulshof.

2010

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri, 2010 § District 9

Luetkemeyer defeated Charles Baker in the Republican primary, then went on to defeat Libertarian nominee Christopher W. Dwyer and write-in candidates Jeff Reed and Ron Burrus in the general election.

2012

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri, 2012 § District 3

Missouri was cut down to eight districts after the 2010 Census as a result of decades of population growth slower than the national average. Luetkemeyer's district was renumbered as the 3rd district. It lost most of its northern portion to the 6th district. To make up for the loss of population, it was pushed slightly to the west, gaining all of Jefferson City. Luetkemeyer already represented the share of the capital located in Callaway County, but picked up Cole County in the redistricting.

Luetkemeyer claimed 63.5% of the vote in defeating Democrat Eric C. Mayer (32.9%), and Libertarian Steven Wilson (3.7%).

2014

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri, 2014 § District 3

In the August primary, Luetkemeyer defeated two rivals with almost 80% of the vote. Then in November, he claimed 68.3% of the vote in defeating Democrat Courtney Denton, Libertarian Steven Hedrick, and write-in candidate Harold Davis.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Financial Services
  • Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
  • Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology
• Republican Study Committee
• Tea Party Caucus

Legislation

On October 23, 2013, Luetkemeyer introduced the bill To enhance the ability of community financial institutions to foster economic growth and serve their communities, boost small businesses, increase individual savings (H.R. 3329; 113th Congress) into the House. The bill would direct the Federal Reserve to revise certain regulations related to small bank holding companies (BHCs). Current regulations allow BHCs with assets of less than $500 million that satisfy other tests to incur higher amounts of debt than larger institutions in order to acquire other banks. H.R. 3329 would apply the less-stringent standard to more BHCs by raising the asset limit to $1 billion, and the bill also would allow savings and loan holding companies to qualify.

On June 26, 2014, Luetkemeyer introduced H.R.4986, that would end the controversial Operation Choke Point which was designed to limit the activities of money launderers, but has come under criticism for alleged abuse. Later, on November 20, 2014, in a further effort to end Operation Choke Point, Luetkemeyer introduced additional legislation that would require federal banking agencies to put in writing any suggestion or order to terminate a customer’s banking account.

Personal life

Luetkemeyer has been married since 1976 to his wife Jackie. They have three children. He has one granddaughter, Riley, and two grandsons, Luke and Evan. Luetkemeyer is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Eldon Chamber of Commerce, the Farm Bureau, the National Rifle Association, and attends St. Lawrence Catholic Church.

Election History

U.S. House of Representatives

District 9

2008

Missouri's 9th congressional district election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Blaine Luetkemeyer	161,031	49.99
	Democratic	Judy Baker	152,956	47.49
	Libertarian	Tamara Millay	8,108	2.5
Total votes			322,095	100.00
	Republican hold

2010

Missouri's 9th congressional district election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Blaine Luetkemeyer (incumbent)	162,724	77.36
	Libertarian	Christopher Dwyer	46,817	22.26
	Write-in	Jeff Reed	748	0.36
	Write-in	Ron Burrus	69	0.03
Total votes			210,358	100.00

District 3

2012

Missouri 3rd Congressional District 2012
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Blaine Luetkemeyer (Incumbent)	214,843	63.49
	Democratic	Eric C. Mayer	111,189	32.86
	Libertarian	Steven Wilson	12,353	3.65
Total votes			338,385	100.0

2014

Missouri 3rd congressional district election, 2014
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Blaine Luetkemeyer (Incumbent)	130,940	68.33
	Democratic	Courtney Denton	52,021	27.15
	Libertarian	Steven Hedrick	8,593	4.48
	Write-in	Harold Davis	66	0.03
Total votes			191,620	100.00

[ Source: Wikipedia ]