Nathanael Schultz Says Northeast Missouri Needs a Voice in Washington

LEWIS COUNTY, Mo. — Nathanael Schultz, a candidate for U.S. Congress in Missouri’s 6th Congressional District, joined the Lewis County Scoop during the 50th annual Lewis County Fair for an interview focused on rural representation, data centers, federal spending, agriculture, transparency and why he believes northeast Missouri needs a stronger voice in Washington, D.C.

Schultz is seeking the congressional seat representing Missouri’s 6th District, which covers much of northern Missouri. During the interview, he described himself as the only candidate in the race from the northeast Missouri side of the district.

“For the first time in 26 years, we have an option to elect representation from northeast Missouri,” Schultz said.

“For the first time in 26 years, we have an option to elect representation from northeast Missouri,” Schultz said.

Schultz talked about his family ties to the region and his background in business, horses, farming communities and rural Missouri life. He also spoke about time spent in Hannibal, including operating a horse and carriage business downtown and owning property there.

Asked why he decided to run for Congress, Schultz pointed first to his four children and the future he believes they will inherit.

“It really does start with my four kids,” he said.

Schultz said his oldest child recently turned 7, and he has been thinking about what kind of future his children will have in Missouri. He also said the COVID era changed how he viewed government power and personal freedom.

“During COVID, I realized how fragile our freedoms really are,” he said.

Schultz described himself as an outsider in the race and said he is not backed by Washington or political action committees. He said he wants to bring authority back closer to the people.

“I’m not supported by Washington. I’m not supported by PACs,” he said.

The Lewis County Scoop asked Schultz what concerns he hears most often while traveling across northern Missouri.

Schultz said transparency and government spending are major issues. He said many rural residents feel basic infrastructure and economic support are being pulled away from rural areas.

“I feel like a lot of the basic infrastructure for the rural economy is being sucked away,” he said.

Schultz also raised concerns about farmland, tax policy and corporate ownership. He said owner-operators and local producers can be placed at a disadvantage when corporations are able to defer taxes and use that money to buy land.

“That’s our farm ground,” Schultz said. “And it’s pushing us out.”

In his view, that makes it harder for young farmers and local residents to compete.

“That’s our farm ground,” he said. “And it’s pushing us out.”

Data centers were one of the central topics of the interview.

Schultz said he generally believes in limited federal regulation, but he also believes the issue changes when federal money is helping fund projects. Because the U.S. House controls federal spending, he said Congress has a role in asking questions about where that money goes and what conditions come with it.

He said he is not against development or preparing for the future, but he believes the public deserves answers about who benefits, who pays and what impact data centers could have on local communities.

“Absolutely build,” Schultz said. “But yes, we need to make sure that we’re doing this in a way that doesn’t hurt the citizens or our future.”

Concerns discussed during the interview included water usage, power demand, eminent domain, electric transmission lines, utility rates, taxpayer funding and the overall lack of public information.

Schultz also tied the issue to broader concerns about surveillance and technology. He said he is especially concerned about the amount of data being collected and stored as artificial intelligence and monitoring technology expand.

“If taxpayers are funding it, I think we have the right to know about it,” he said.

Wes Sharpe, co-host of the Lewis County Scoop and mayor of Lewistown, also discussed the issue from a local government standpoint. Sharpe said communities are already asking whether they need to begin preparing local ordinances or protections before data center proposals reach small towns.

Schultz said he believes towns and counties need to understand the issue before decisions are made.

“There are a lot of missing pieces there,” he said.

The Lewis County Scoop also asked Schultz about Amendment 5, the Missouri ballot issue tied to income tax and sales tax changes.

Schultz said he was still undecided. He said he likes the general idea of taxing consumption instead of production, but he still has questions about the details and the transition period.

“I would love the idea in general,” he said. “I still don’t fully understand why we need legislation to pass it into the Constitution.”

Schultz said he attended a town hall on the issue that made him more open to supporting it, but he had not yet done all the follow-up research he wanted to do. He also acknowledged concerns for seniors, veterans and others who may not currently pay income tax but could be affected by higher sales taxes.

The discussion also turned to AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and U.S. foreign policy.

“As of right now, I have not accepted one dollar from any PAC, period,” he said.

Schultz said he has not accepted money from any political action committee. He said he supports Israel’s right to exist and supports America’s alliance with Israel, but also said the relationship between the United States and Israel should be honest and transparent.

“As of right now, I have not accepted one dollar from any PAC, period,” he said.

Schultz said there are parts of Israeli society he disagrees with, but he also said he supports Israel in its conflict with Hamas and believes the issue is more complicated than many people present it.

The Lewis County Scoop asked whether Schultz would come back on the podcast and provide updates to northeast Missouri voters if elected.

Schultz said he would. He said accessibility and communication are key parts of his campaign, and he has put his phone number on campaign materials so voters can reach him.

“If you’re paying somebody to represent you and you can’t talk to them, that’s a problem,” he said.

Schultz said he also plans to maintain a public calendar if elected so constituents can see who he is meeting with, including lobbyists and interest groups.

“If you’re paying my salary and I’m meeting with somebody, shouldn’t you know about it?” he said.

In his closing comments to Lewis County voters, Schultz said he believes rural Missouri should choose its own congressman instead of having one selected by Washington insiders.

“I would like the people in rural Missouri to decide who their congressman is going to be,” he said.

Schultz also pointed to his experience as an entrepreneur, saying business owners are used to finding problems, offering solutions and being accountable to the people they serve.