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Rep. Bill Hardwick On His Early Impressions Of Missouri Legislative Life

State Rep. Bill Hardwick, R-Waynesville, was sworn in to represent the 122nd District earlier this year.
Tim Bommel
/
House Communications
State Rep. Bill Hardwick, R-Waynesville, was sworn in to represent the 122nd District earlier this year.

State Rep. Bill Hardwick is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where the Waynesville Republican talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jonathan Ahl about his approach to being a newly elected member of the Missouri House.

Hardwick represents Missouri’s 122nd District, which takes in Fort Leonard Wood and other portions of Pulaski County. He was first elected in November, succeeding Steve Lynch, who was term limited.

Here’s what Hardwick talked about on the show:

  • The interplay between the state and federal government in advocating for Fort Leonard Wood. Hardwick led combat patrols for the Army during the Iraq War.
  • The balance between effectively advocating for a particular legislative district and pushing for policies that benefit the entire state — and how building relationships in Jefferson City is a key to being effective over a period of time.
  • His support for the Second Amendment Preservation Act, which among other things states that Missouri police departments cannot enforce federal gun laws. They would under this measure be able to enforce state gun laws.

Hardwick is an attorney who was the city prosecutor for St. Robert, Missouri, and also worked in private practice.

Hardwick is currently a lieutenant colonel in the Missouri National Guard.

Follow Jason Rosenbaum on Twitter: @jrosenbaum

Follow Jonathan Ahl on Twitter: @jonathanahl

Jason is the politics correspondent for St. Louis Public Radio.
Jonathan Ahl is the Newscast Editor and Rolla correspondent at St. Louis Public Radio.