“Vogel Endorses Harry Otto”

I have been honored to serve you as your Senator for the 6th District for the past eight years.  I hope the trust you placed in me has been earned every day as I have strived to make good and sound decisions in these uncertain times.  The counties of Cole, Callaway, Miller, Morgan, and Moniteau comprise a diverse district.  Agricultural, industrial, and governmental entities are key to our mutual success and economic viability.  The individual who will represent this area must be well versed with an education and experience suitable to deal with this current economy.

Term limits require me to leave the General Assembly at the end of 2010.  On August 3rd, you will elect a replacement to advocate for you in the next Legislative session.  After evaluating the challenges of the office and the skills required to be effective, I have concluded Harry Otto would be best suited to be our next Senator.

I have been acquainted with Harry Otto for over thirty years and have always found him to be a person of character, honesty, and integrity.  As a certified public accountant, he possesses the education, experience and skill set to understand the complex issues which legislators deal with on a daily basis.  Harry Otto is a licensed professional and will be a Senator who will make ethical and informed decisions which are of utmost importance to those whom he will represent with honesty and passion.

Please join me in supporting and voting for Harry Otto in the August 3rd Republican primary.

Senator Carl Vogel

Harry Otto took my invitation to be interviewed for this podcast.  Give a listen and make your decision by August 3rd. — Jay Kersting

Originally Posted at http://jaykersting.com/blog/2010/07/23/podcast-interview-with-state-senate-candidate-harry-otto/

From the link above:

After examining candidate surveys and voting records, interviewing candidates and considering the unique dynamics of each race, MRL PAC is pleased to announce the following endorsements for the August 3 primary election.

Making your vote count for life has never been more important.  Your vote is the voice for innocent unborn children, for preventing taxpayer funding of unethical research, and for advancing the cause of life.

Criteria for candidate endorsement and ratings on all candidates are available at our website www.missourilifepac.org.

The first question at the top of my list for who I vote for…

Do you support the US CONSTITUTION as it was originally written?

Have you READ the constitution?

Do you intend to uphold your OATH OF OFFICE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION?

WILL YOU POST ON YOUR WEBSITE THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS?

My Response

I do support the US Constitution as originally written, as amended.  I do not believe it is a “living” document which should be subject to various interpretations at different times.  What did the founding fathers intend (as amended) is the question to ask.  Yes, I have read the constitution.  Yes, I intend to uphold the oath of office, and will support and defend the constitution.

Thanks for your inquiry.

Harry

He’s been promising to run since at least the spring, and Jefferson City CPA Harry Otto launched his campaign for the state Senate on Monday night with a fund-raising dinner.

Incumbent Carl Vogel, R-Jefferson City, can’t run for re-election because of term limits.  “My goal for the next 315 days is to get recognized and known around the district,” Otto told family, friends and supporters gathered at the Eagles Club.  His qualifications include what he called “my Es” - education, experience, ethics and an endorsement.  “I’m very proud to have the endorsement of the sitting senator,” he said.

Otto, Jefferson City automobile dealer Mike Kehoe and state Reps. Mark Bruns of Wardsville, Bill Deeken of Jefferson City and Kenny Jones of Clarksburg - all Republicans - have said they want to succeed Vogel.  Official filing for the office begins Feb. 23.  So far, no Democrat has announced an intention to run for the job.

“I do expect to be outspent in this campaign,” Otto said, “but I don’t expect to be outworked.

“I don’t think this office ought to be purchased.  I think it ought to be earned.”  He said he’s not afraid of a fiveman primary race, nor is he worried that four of the five announced hopefuls are based in Cole County.

The district includes Cole, Callaway, Moniteau, Miller and Morgan counties.  “Moniteau is less than 10 percent of the district (population) and Cole is close to 50 percent of the district,” Otto said, “so you could split Cole more than four ways and it’s still larger than some other counties.  “But, to be elected you’re going to have to get votes from each and every county in the district.”  Otto told supporters his research shows no CPA ever has been elected to the Missouri Senate.  “I think it’s time to get one there,” he said.  He later said: “I’ve been doing professional accounting work for over 35 years in central Missouri (and) I’ve met a lot of people and served in a lot of community positions in the last 35 years.  “And I think that’s going to help me in this race.”

Otto did not discuss issues Monday night, saying there’s plenty of time to go into detail about his position on issues later.  But, he told the crowd, “The big issue we do face is money - it’s not coming in as fast as projected, and the expenses are probably as much as, or nearly as much as, projected.”  He later said his approach to Missouri’s not getting enough income won’t be raising taxes.  “I’m not talking about an increase,” he explained.  “I’m talking about determining where the money should go - who gets it and who waits in line for it.”  He said the state’s history of “being a little bit frugal and a little bit ‘cheap’” has been the right attitude to have, leaving the state in better financial shape than many others during the current economic crisis.

With its constitutional requirement to get at least 25 percent of the general revenue budget, Otto said education also will be a major issue.  “When we have some failing school districts that have had to be taken over by the state, and fixed for the kids who are being cheated out of a good education, it’s a very important issue,” he said.

He was recognized for his accomplishments in both his personal and professional life.

Otto received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a major in Accountancy from University of Missouri-Columbia.  He currently is a certified public accountant and member owner at Williams-Keepers LLC.

He served as president of the Jefferson City Host Lions Club, president of St. Peter Catholic Cemetery Association, president of Mid-Mo Medical Foundation, president of St. Mary’s Foundation and president of the Helias school board and of the Missouri Society of CPA’s.

Otto currently serves as chairman of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Originally posted Tuesday, June 23, 2009 via News Tribune

Otto is a Republican.

“Harry was my campaign treasurer when I first ran for the Mo. House in 1990” Vogel said.  “I asked Harry to consider this office after I was elected to my second and final senate term.    I have known him for over 25 years.  I know well his business ability, his leadership skill, and his spirit of community service.   All of these attributes would enable him to well serve the citizens of the 6th district in the Mo Senate.”

Otto is a certified public accountant and a member owner in the firm of Williams-Keepers LLC.   He currently serves as Chairman of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.    He has previously served as president of the Jefferson City Host Lions Club, president of St. Peters Catholic  Cemetery Association, president of Mid-Mo Medical Foundation, president of St. Mary’s Foundation, president of the Helias School board  and president of the Missouri Society of CPA’s.

He served 6 years in the US Army Reserve and previously worked for the Missouri Department of Revenue as the Assistant Manager of the Compliance Bureau and Manager of the Income Tax Bureau.

Otto is a native of Osage County and a graduate of St. George School, Linn High School and earned a BS in Business Administration with a major in accountancy from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

He is a member of St. Joseph Cathedral Parish.  He and his wife Mary Kay have resided in Jefferson City for over 35 years.  They have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

For more information on Otto, go to www.citizensforotto.com.