Two Republicans will face off for their party’s nomination to the 1st District congressional seat in the Tuesday, Aug. 7, primary.

Martin D. Baker and Robyn Hamlin are vying for their party’s nod.

Asked to identify the most important issue in the race, Baker said, “Jobs — 82,000 jobs have been lost in the St. Louis area since recession.”

Hamlin, of St. Louis, did not respond to a Call questionnaire.

Baker, of Sikeston, has four children. He is an auditor for Crescent Hotels and Resorts.

Baker said he is seeking office “to give government back to the people.”

Baker gave the following responses to a Call questionnaire:

Baker said, “I am the only candidate on either side that has been endorsed by Missouri Right to Life. Twenty-five percent of black America has been lost to abortion since Roe v. Wade.”

Baker said, “I support the death penalty if properly utilized in a fair and expedient manner.”

Baker said, “I believe a person should be allowed to designate their own retirement plan, including privatization.”

Baker said, “I propose following the spirit of the Second Amendment. If we over-regulate guns, only the government and criminals will have them.”

• What do you propose to solve funding problems facing public education? Do you support school vouchers?

Baker said, “I support and advocate allowing local educators to make decisions, eliminate federal government and its one-size fits all strategies.”

Baker said, “Eliminate the federal income tax system and replace with a fair tax — HR 25 — which gives working families 100 percent of their paychecks.”

Baker said, “Ben Franklin said, ‘Those who give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.'”

Baker said, “The Affordable Care Act is potentially a $1.7 trillion mistake we need not make. Any citizen, or state for that matter, should not be forced by the federal government to be part of an unwanted purchase of this magnitude.”

Baker said, “I believe the stimulus package was an abject failure. While it had the laudable task of creating and preserving jobs, we still, after its inception, had double digit unemployment and a lowered federal credit rating.”