113th Congress: Ann Wagner, R-Mo. (2nd District)

By Jonathan Broder, CQ Staff

A successful businesswoman, diplomat and veteran of both state and national Republican politics, Ann Wagner cites economic growth as the principle concern for her district.

As a lawmaker, she’ll focus on easing regulations on the private sector, simplifying the tax code and repealing the 2010 health care overhaul — all of which she says will help remove uncertainty for job creators climate and spur economic growth.

“I hope to bring a business perspective to Washington,” says Wagner, who held management positions at Hallmark Cards and Ralston Purina. “I’m somebody who actually has made a payroll and balanced a budget.”

With a number of coal companies headquartered in her district, Wagner will press to lift the Obama administration’s environmental regulations that she says are “crushing our businesses and making it so difficult to grow our economy.”

She’ll also advocate greater defense spending, reflecting the fact that Boeing Co.’s defense division is a major employer in her district.

Wagner’s concerns go beyond the parochial to foreign affairs.

She says that during her stint as U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg she worked with allied governments to freeze terrorist assets.

She hopes for spots on the Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Appropriations or Energy and Commerce committees.