Trevor J. Mitchell

TMITCHELL@NEWS-LEADER.COM

The Libertarian Party of Greene County has put forth six candidates for local offices in the November election, hoping to convince voters to consider electing people outside of the traditional two-party system.

Often overlooked by media and the voting public, local Libertarians hope to build on dissatisfaction with the major parties. During a news conference Saturday, Chairman Bill Boone said the country is "facing an assault" on its general principles, and that Democrats and Republicans alike are manipulating and exploiting citizens, using fear to pit them against each other.

On the other hand, Boone said, Libertarians respect citizens and believe that government is not the answer to every problem facing the country. If elected, Boone said, Libertarian candidates will empower people to live their lives, while using their office to defend liberty and dignity.

In addition to the candidates running for various statewide offices and the presidency, Libertarians are competing to represent the Springfield and Greene County area in offices at the county, state and federal level. The candidates, all of whom were unopposed in the August primary, include:

Ben Brixey, 7th Congressional District

Age: 25

Education: Missouri State University

Family: Single

Website:www.benbrixey.com

Background: Brixey has previously run for Greene County Presiding Commissioner and currently works as a soccer coach.

Issues: Brixey said Republican Billy Long, who he will be running against in the November election, has "sold out to the establishment" since he was elected in 2010. Brixey said that, if elected, he would focus on bringing American soldiers home from overseas and ensuring the country does not remain in a constant state of war.

Brixey said he'd also push for an audit of the Federal Reserve, as well as ending the war on drugs, which he said has resulted disproportionately in the imprisonment of the poor.

Finally, Brixey said he would move to reduce the federal government's power, giving more power to states to decide how things like healthcare could best work for them.

Cecil Ince, Greene County District 2 Commissioner

Age: 40

Education: KD College Conservatory

Family: One child

Website:www.restore-liberty.com

Background: Ince has run for political office in Missouri several times, including for the Missouri State House District 137 in 2002 and Secretary of State in 2004. He said he currently drives for Yellow Cab and is working to start a business dealing with ground transportation.

Issues: Ince said Greene County is unorganized, pointing to the city and county's disagreement over the jail as an example. Ince would consider not housing non-violent offenders in the jail if elected, he said — as well as not entering into any more "unfulfillable contracts" like the one at the center of the current disagreement.

He also said he would oppose any tax increases and would work to reduce taxes by 25 to 50 percent.

Arthur Hodge Sr., State Representative District 131

Age: 70

Education: Some college

Family: One child

Website:www.electhodge.com

Background: Hodge ran for the Republican nomination for the District 131 seat in 2012.

Issues: Hodge said one of his main issues would be "relieving the government" of the responsibility of taking care of others, advocating instead a sense of personal responsibility that protects tax dollars from being spent on these matters.

Hodge also said inequality in the justice system had to be dealt with, saying it has become a system where the rich can get away with crimes while the poor are rounded up.

Chris Burros, State Representative District 132

Age: 33

Education: Ozarks Technical Community College, Baptist Bible College, Vatterott College

Family: Married

Website:www.electchrisburros.com

Background: Burros said he has assisted other candidates in legislative campaigns and currently works for FedEx Trade Networks.

Issues: Burros said his district would benefit from the repeal of the annual property tax, as well as the state sales tax for medications and household necessities.

If elected, Burros said, he'd also hold a monthly meeting to keep him accountable to his constituents.

David Carr, State Representative District 135

Age: 29

Education: Ozarks Technical Community College, Missouri State University

Family: Married, four children

Website: None

Background: Carr said he previously interned in the office of Missouri state Sen. Bob Dixon, where he learned the importance of working together in leadership.

Issues: Carr said he wants to focus on the lack of honesty in the two-party system of politics, as well as better educating the public on how government operates and how it affects them.

His issues, Carr said, would mostly be informed by what his constituents wanted him to address.

Daniel Romine, State Representative District 134

Age: 40

Education: Not immediately available

Family: Married, three children

Website: None

Background: Romine is a train conductor and a member of the Air Force Reserve. He's also the son of Missouri state Sen. Gary Romine.

Issues: Romine was not present at the Saturday news conference, due to Air Force duties, but has said in the past that if elected he would increase education and public safety funding while cutting down on "corporate welfare" that sends big tax breaks to corporations and away from small businesses.