Two candidates are vying for the Republican nomination to the 85th District Missouri House seat in next month’s primary election.

Cloria Brown of Lemay and Albert Faulstich Jr. of Concord are seeking the Re-publican nod in the Aug. 3 primary election. The primary winner will face Democrat Vicki Lorenz Englund in the Nov. 2 general election. Two years ago, Brown unsuccessfully challenged Englund for the 85th District seat.

Asked to identify the most important issue in the race, the two Republican candidates responded:

• “Jobs. When there are no jobs, families suffer. The tax-and-spend policies of the past have hurt everyone. Economic growth and development will only be achieved through reduced taxes and tax incentives for business. Businesses need to have dollars to invest in product development which creates jobs, which in turn creates buying power for the worker and his/her family,” Brown said.

• “Illegal immigration — takes jobs from our citizens,” Faulstich said.

Brown, 68, 3306 Lone Elm Drive, 63125, is retired from MasterCard International, where she served as vice president of a technology group. She and her husband, Frank, have an adult daughter.

Brown, who has served as Lemay Township Republican committeewoman since 2005, said she is seeking her party’s nomination to the 85th District House seat because “I want to continue to serve my community now that I am retired and have the time available. The people of the 85th District need someone to represent them who understands and reflects their values and beliefs.

“I have lived in the district for over 40 years. I know and understand the problems facing the people of the 85th and will work tirelessly to ensure that these problems are resolved.”

Faulstich, 69, 9815 Mar Ann Court, 63128, is a retired area manager for the Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. and also owned a paint-supply store from 1998 to 2000. He and his wife, Elfriede, have four grown children.

Faulstich, who has not held elective office, said he is seeking his party’s nomination because “I have had enough of big government and I hope to make a change for the better. Also, instead of being one voice out of millions, now I would be one voice out of about 200.”

The candidates gave the following responses to a Call questionnaire:

What is your position on abortion?

Brown said, “I am 100-percent pro-life and the only candidate in the 85th (District) state representative race that is endorsed by Missouri Right to Life.”

Faulstich said, “I am pro-life. I support Missouri Lutherans for Life and the South County Pregnancy Help Center on Baptist Church Road.”

What is your position on the death penalty?

Brown said, “I am for the death penalty. This law is not likely to be changed. I feel that the system has safeguards through the appeal process, our jury system and, most of all, the latest advancements in technology that aid in investigations.”

Faulstich said, “I support capital punishment.”

What do you propose to solve the state’s budget woes? What do you propose to generate additional revenue for the state?

Brown said, “To solve our budget problems we must eliminate unnecessary, wasteful spending and increase jobs.”

Faulstich said, “I believe we need to put all state departments under the microscope and see just what is really needed. Perhaps we have unnecessary employees and spending. I remember one CEO when told the corporate office was now too small and additional facilities were needed, he walked through the various departments and eliminated those people that it was very obvious were not giving the company even 50 percent of their time.

“Recently, much of Lindbergh was given another layer of pavement, which most of it seemed unnecessary to me. I believe we could also save on these kind of projects if we made the utility companies more responsible for their work when they cut into the pavement for repairs and do a sloppy job of refilling the hole and the pavement.”

Are changes needed to the state’s foundation formula for funding education?

Brown said, “Yes, absolutely. The formula was meant to ensure equitable funding for schools and it does not. Our suburban taxpayers are funding the rural schools and the inner-city schools. I believe that we need to fund schools with a method other than property taxes. The property owners say that they can’t afford more taxes and the schools insist that they need more money. This is a dilemma.”

Faulstich said, “Yes. I see rural schools with modern facilities and large athletic fields while St. Louis city and county school districts are running on tight budgets. I hope to review this to see why this is.”

Do you agree with the direction the state is moving under Gov. Jay Nixon?

Brown said, “No. Gov. Nixon has not shown the leadership needed. He did not work with the Legislature during the regular session and then called a special legislative session, which costs Missouri taxpayers money that we can’t afford to waste.”

Faulstich said, “No, I do not. I believe Gov. Nixon is playing party politics and not doing what is best for the citizens of Missouri.”

Are changes needed to the law allowing Missouri residents to carry concealed weapons?

Brown said, “No. There have been no adverse effects from the passage of this law.”

Faulstich said, “No. I support the Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms, which originally was intended to be for rifles and not handguns, but many people have a need to carry a gun in the present world to protect themselves. As long as they are licensed, I have no problem with ‘conceal and carry.”’