Andy Maidment

Andy Maidment was born in West Columbia, South Carolina. He served in the U.S. Army from 2000 to 2004 and the U.S. Army National Guard from 2004 to 2020. He earned a bachelor's degree from Missouri State University in 2007. Maidment's career experience includes working as a network security analyst.[1][2]

Andy Maidment has not yet completed [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Send a message to Andy Maidment asking him to fill out the survey.

If you are Andy Maidment, click here to fill out [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out the candidate survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete [the profile publisher]'s Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's [the profile publisher] profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 32,000 candidates have taken [the profile publisher]'s candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

You can ask Andy Maidment to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing info@maidmentformissouri.com.

Campaign websiteMaidment's campaign website stated the following:First and foremost is individual liberty“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive….those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” — C.S. LewisOUR VALUES    Limited government     Keep your money    Peace and prosperity    AccountabilityLimited governmentThe federal government intrudes into every part of our lives, violating the Constitution along the way.Eliminate Federal departments which have no Constitutional basis to exist starting with Education, Commerce, and Homeland Security.Protect free speech and stop harassing people who just want to hold government accountable.Extend our right to keep and bear arms so we can protect ourselves and our other rights.End the Surveillance State of the Patriot Act which has never caught a terrorist.Force Congress to approve regulations before they come into effect.KEEP  your  moneytaxation is theft. this is not just a hashtag, it is a fact.You work hard for your money and no one has any business saying you should have to give it up. Before the income tax America had roads, schools, police, courts, and a competent military. The country was also the fastest growing, most prosperous nation in the world. Taxes simply take money away from those who produce and give it to those who do not. Over the last century our government has proven that markets are far more efficient means of spreading wealth than the central planning of bureaucrats. Whether its the income tax or the Federal Reserve printing money, the politicians are destroying your ability to live for yourself. It is time for that to end.Let us make this building, IRS headquarters, unimportant.Peace And ProsperityBring our troops home so we can have peaceful and productive relationships.In his classic novel, 1984, George Orwell described the war Oceania was fighting. He wrote, “The war is not meant to be won, it is meant to be continuous.” Today libertarians call it the Forever War. Except it is not fiction. The United States has had a permanent presence in the Middle East since before I was born. Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria—and no end in sight. It took just four years to defeat the two most powerful nations on earth and that was 80 years ago. If we meant to win, surely we could have done it in by now.Our continued presence in the region only causes more anger and grief, it is time to let someone else handle the problem. We can focus our efforts on maintaining a robust national defense, trading peacefully with others so we can all become more prosperous.Accountabilitywaste is a fact of life in D.C.A significant part of our national debt is from foolishly spent money. Whether it is Covid relief fraud which never should have been appropriated or the military spending billions of dollars to force unproven technology into their latest wonder weapon, the bureaucrats in Washington are incapable of handling our money. Report after report of ludicrous spending items continue to come out of the massive spending bills with thousands of pages, pushed through Congress in just days. Too often, Congress and the President just want to be seen doing something, regardless of the consequences. That is how you end up more than $30 Trillion in debt, financed to the point where our grandchildren will be paying, decades from now, for our way of life today. It does not work, if it did we would not need a new stimulus bill every few months. It will not be easy and it will not be fixed tomorrow, but we can make it better for our future.— Andy Maidment's campaign website (July 20, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a father, retired Army officer, and an IT security professional. I have lived in Missouri since I was twelve. I have a degree in history from Missouri State University where I minored in economics. I am not a politician. If elected my child will stay in Missouri and I will make every effort to be home whenever possible. After serving 21 years in the Army and Missouri National Guard I have a few ideas about what that service means and what it stood for. Congress and all of Washington need real change and I am ready to bring some.

You can count on my opponents to vote for funding the wars we don't have any business being involved in. They can be counted on to continue a failed agricultural policy that prioritizes a few crops over all other forms of farming and ranching. They can be counted on to make you more dependent upon them and their policies. And you can count on them chipping away at your liberty, bit by bit.

This is the United States, we're supposed to be free, no living by the leave of Washington bureaucrats. I want you to be able to live your life, not the life they would have for you.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Limited government: The federal government intrudes into every part of our lives, violating the Constitution along the way.Peace And Prosperity: Bring our troops home so we can have peaceful and productive relationships.Accountability: Waste is a fact of life in D.C. A significant part of our national debt is from foolishly spent money. Whether it is Covid relief fraud which never should have been appropriated or the military spending billions of dollars to force unproven technology into their latest wonder weapon, the bureaucrats in Washington are incapable of handling our money. Report after report of ludicrous spending items continue to come out of the massive spending bills with thousands of pages, pushed through Congress in just days.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Taxes are too high; there are too many regulations; and anything government does that makes an individual think twice before doing something they want to do, so long as that won't harm another person.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Ron Paul. Here's an old man energizing thousands, potentially millions, of young people into a liberty mindset. What an amazing man.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Anthem by Ayn Rand. It's short, it shouldn't take longer to read than an afternoon, even if you're a relatively slow reader.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have no masters. I'm not beholden to donors, I'm just going to do what I think is right. And now that I'm aware of my PTSD issues, it will only be easier to stand up to the entrenched interests in Washington.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

There is only one: To preserve your liberty.

That means an efficient military, capable of protecting the country.

That means courts and police that are focused on criminal behavior that actually harms others.

That means clear and concise regulations that are reviewed by Congress to ensure they meet what the laws were actually passed to do.

And not much more than that.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I'm a stubborn Missourian and I want to be seen as a Missouri mule. Someone who stood in the way of the false "progress" of government control of our lives.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Challenger Shuttle explosion. I was in kindergarten.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a dishwasher in a Bar and Grill for the summer but my father didn't want me working late, even on weekends. I then went to work in a bakery for the next 2 and a half years until I enlisted in the Army.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Team Yankee by Harry Coyle. It was a story about tankers in a fictional World War 3 in the mid 1980s. I was fascinated by the vehicles and the tactics and it led me to enlist as an M1 tanker when I was 18.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

John Galt

Maybe Malcolm Reynolds

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"What if I was Nothing" by All That Remains.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

In 2023 I discovered I had PTSD from my childhood. I never considered it trauma but it has made some personal relationships difficult.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It is the only place where competence is actually detrimental to your success.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. in fact, I believe part of the problem is that they are so far removed from reality.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Our economy is our greatest strength while our monetary policy is our greatest weakness. There will come a time when the rest of the world realizes the dollar is backed by nothing more than good wishes and our massive debt will become a ball and chain. We MUST stop spending public funds in a way that makes drunken sailors on leave look like financial analysts. This is not sustainable and will only end in ruin.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

It's arbitrary but I believe it's fine.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I don't just want term limits, I want limits on how long bureaucrats can remain in place.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Ron Paul

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I recently spoke to a rancher who said that it is getting harder and harder for him to find land for his cattle. There is such a strong pull for government corn subsidies that land which is unsuitable for row crops will be plowed and sown with corn in order to sell at a higher price to a buyer who doesn't know any better. It's ludicrous that our public policy is driving such foolish actions.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I'm not going to lie and be politically correct. That joke is not appropriate for this site.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

It depends. Compromise can be a good way to move something forward but it can also be used to push the things that lead us to ruin. And a half measure in something truly important can sometimes be worse.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

I will stand in the way of waste.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

The only investigative powers the House has is in investigating the other branches of government. The house spends too much time investigating individuals rather than ensuring the taxpayers money isn't used against the taxpayers. If any individual who isn't a government employee or contractor is investigated by the House, that person should ignore them. They're not a court, they're not your employer, they're not the police.

What committees interest you?

Defense is obvious, being a veteran. Appropriations would be fun, if only to point out the silliness of what government spends money on.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

There is nothing the government does that should not be subject to review by Congress immediately, and nothing that should not be subject to review by the people eventually. Everything should be audited regularly.

Campaign website

Maidment’s campaign website stated the following:

First and Foremost is Individual Liberty

“OF ALL TYRANNIES, A TYRANNY EXERCISED FOR THE GOOD OF ITS VICTIMS MAY BE THE MOST OPPRESSIVE….THOSE WHO TORMENT US FOR OUR OWN GOOD WILL TORMENT US WITHOUT END, FOR THEY DO SO WITH THE APPROVAL OF THEIR OWN CONSCIENCE.” — C.S. LEWIS

Our Values

1. Limited Government

2. Keep Your Money

3. Peace and Prosperity

4. Accountability

Limited Government

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTRUDES INTO EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES, VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION ALONG THE WAY.

Eliminate Federal departments which have no Constitutional basis to exist starting with Education, Commerce, and Homeland Security.

Protect free speech and stop harassing people who just want to hold government accountable.

Extend our right to keep and bear arms so we can protect ourselves and our other rights.

End the Surveillance State of the Patriot Act which has never caught a terrorist.

Force Congress to approve regulations before they come into effect.

Keep Your Money

TAXATION IS THEFT. THIS IS NOT JUST A HASHTAG, IT IS A FACT.

You work hard for your money and no one has any business saying you should have to give it up. Before the income tax America had roads, schools, police, courts, and a competent military. The country was also the fastest growing, most prosperous nation in the world. Taxes simply take money away from those who produce and give it to those who do not.

Over the last century our government has proven that markets are far more efficient means of spreading wealth than the central planning of bureaucrats. Whether it's the income tax or the Federal Reserve printing money, the politicians are destroying your ability to live for yourself. It is time for that to end.

Let us make this building, IRS headquarters, unimportant.

Peace and Prosperity

BRING OUR TROOPS HOME SO WE CAN HAVE PEACEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIPS.

In his classic novel, 1984, George Orwell described the war Oceania was fighting. He wrote, “The war is not meant to be won, it is meant to be continuous.” Today libertarians call it the Forever War. Except it is not fiction. The United States has had a permanent presence in the Middle East since before I was born. Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria—and no end in sight. It took just four years to defeat the two most powerful nations on earth and that was 80 years ago. If we meant to win, surely we could have done it in by now.

Our continued presence in the region only causes more anger and grief, it is time to let someone else handle the problem. We can focus our efforts on maintaining a robust national defense, trading peacefully with others so we can all become more prosperous.

Accountability

WASTE IS A FACT OF LIFE IN D.C.

A significant part of our national debt is from foolishly spent money. Whether it is Covid relief fraud which never should have been appropriated or the military spending billions of dollars to force unproven technology into their latest wonder weapon, the bureaucrats in Washington are incapable of handling our money. Report after report of ludicrous spending items continue to come out of the massive spending bills with thousands of pages, pushed through Congress in just days.

Too often, Congress and the President just want to be seen doing something, regardless of the consequences. That is how you end up more than $30 Trillion in debt, financed to the point where our grandchildren will be paying, decades from now, for our way of life today. It does not work, if it did we would not need a new stimulus bill every few months. It will not be easy and it will not be fixed tomorrow, but we can make it better for our future. [3]

—Andy Maidment’s campaign website (2024)[4]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a retired Army officer, father, and IT professional who loves liberty and believes that the United States is on the wrong track. The Federal Government is overextended militarily, fiscally, and legally and it is past time to reign in these activities. It is time to start asking not what the Federal Government can do but what it should do. Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats are willing to ask that question. It is time to sweep out the Good-Old-Boys-And-Girls club and look to a brighter future, where the talents and creativity of the American Spirit can thrive.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

The government is too large. It is time to cut real spending, not just expected increases; phase out taxes; bring our troops home from the forever-war; eliminate the needless waste of the bloated system; and simplify the law so that it is understandable to everyone.Your rights are under attack. Busybodies in government are trying to figure out novel ways to attack your fundamental human rights which are enshrined in the Constitution. Police protect themselves with "Qualified Immunity" from harassing persons exercising their First Amendment rights. Bureaucrats rewrite laws without approval to restrict your right to defend yourself. Courts allow your homes to be invaded without warrants whenever the police say they need it. The military illegally spies on you and no one is doing anything about it.Efficiency is key. I spent 21 years in the Army and National Guard and have watched countless millions of dollars get wasted in procurement and poor planning. From the F-35, which finally works after 20 years of "development" to the millions of dollars worth of equipment left behind in Afghanistan, no one in government is being held responsible for the bill being left to our children. That needs to end.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

- I am particularly interested in forcing Congress to do its job. To approve any and all regulations and providing automatic sunset rules on all regulations and laws. I want to phase out the income tax, and as many other taxes as can be managed; to do this, Congress will need to eliminate whole Executive Departments (like energy, commerce, and education) which either duplicate the efforts of States or should be performed by them in any case.

- Our rights exist, some of them are enumerated in the Constitution. These rights exist because we as humans exist, they do not come from the Constitution. We must fight to stop our representatives from trampling them at all levels of government. I am a First, Second, and Fourth Amendment absolutist.

- The government does not need to have it's hand in every part of the economy. It does not need to be involved in much beyond ensuring that fraud, theft, and negligence do not occur. Usually, when the government sees a problem, the solution is worse than the problem itself. Good intentions, not properly thought through, end with very bad results.

- Saddam Hussein is gone and so is Osama bin Laden. It is time to bring our Soldiers home. Much like getting involved in the economy, when we try to do something which will help in the short term we ignore the potential long term consequences and our children, who just want to defend freedom, end up dying for someone else's political aims.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

It is hard to have a hero these days. Everyone has flaws and no matter who it is, something they have done will offend someone. Taken as a whole, though, I admire Thomas Jefferson. He was flawed, but his genius has inspired millions of people around the world. He put into words the ideas and ideals of liberty, even if he was not personally able to live up to them.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

While I'm not a true Objectivist, Ayn Rand would be a good place to start. I suggest starting with "Anthem." Rand actually experienced what happens when people thought they could make people better through the power of government.

The short lived show "Firefly" would also be good. While I never condone theft, it is interesting to see on screen how well intentioned philosophies can have detrimental effects.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

For most elected officials, just having principles would be a nice start.

It is unfortunate that honestly, integrity, and thoughtfulness should be listed here, that should be a given. Having some sort of philosophy, other than do anything to get reelected and move to the next position, is also a good start. A love of liberty over all other philosophies is important for an elected official.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am not a politician, I do not need to do this. I have a comfortable life that I have worked hard to build. I do not want to live in Washington, I will be home in Missouri as often as I can be, my children will not attend school in Northern Virginia. My first allegiance is to liberty. I will never deliberately lie to you. I may have my facts wrong from bad information (or recollection) but I will believe them to be true at the time.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Actually read the bill you vote on. Know what is in it. If a bill with thousands of pages of text was introduced yesterday and the vote is tomorrow it should be an automatic "No" vote. There is no way to understand a bill like that in 48 hours.

Listen to constituents and see how policies are actually affecting them.

Try to understand the long term effects of legislation, no matter how popular it is.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to be known for working to make limit government and extending liberty to the people.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the Bush-Dukakis debates in 1988. I was 7 years old. I remember at least one of my sisters rooting for Dukakis at the time. She would not today.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked briefly in my parents furniture store and then went on to work in a bakery from the age of 16 to 18.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Anthem. It is short, sweet, and to the point. It is exactly what I try to be and usually fail to do. While it is an extreme example of overly powerful government I find it very enlightening.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Star, Empress of the Known Universe in Robert Heinlein's "Glory Road." (Yes, a woman.) The is the enlightened Philosopher King/Queen who knows that often the best thing for the Empress to do is nothing.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Summer's Comin' by Clint Black

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Confidence. I have always been someone who thought that I am not good enough for what I want to do. The outpouring of support from friends and family and the confidence they show in me for this campaign has been truly humbling.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

When the House was formed it was somewhat revolutionary. It was a popularly elected body that met whether the Executive liked it or not. It had the sole power to decide how money would be spent and the President and Senate could only make suggestions or refuse to approve appropriations. It was a model for many systems throughout the world. Today it is a shadow of its former self. The Congress has handed over immense power to the President and the Courts. It has become a place to groom future Executive Department officers or to emplace powerful people within political parties. Rather than working to ensure their constituent's liberty, they toe the Party line.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Political experience can be beneficial, it helps someone get elected. Government experience can be beneficial if someone is a reformer. They will have a good idea of where problems exist and probably already have some ideas of how to fix them.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

We must find a way to walk back from the excesses of the last half of the 20th Century. Government has grown too large and powerful. The military industrial complex all but dictates foreign policy. Monetary policy is out of control. We have to phase this out. Outright revolution back to limited government, peaceful or otherwise, will be devastating and might backfire but we can take real steps move back in many places. This should begin with having the government cease picking winners and losers through policy and handouts.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Being a retired Army Officer means that any committee that even remotely touches defense makes sense. Other than that, any committee where I could ask the questions, "Why are we doing this?" or, "Should we be doing this?" or even, "What in the Constitution gives us the power to do this?" would be beneficial.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Two years makes it difficult to have coherent, long term policy but it does force the Representative to be accountable to their constituents. The President hold longer terms and can help keep long term policy on track.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

On one hand I do not believe that a good public servant should be forced leave office, but on the other hand we end up with the Nancy Pelosi's and Mitch McConnell's of the world. I often think not allowing someone who is in office to run for reelection more than once in a row might be useful. Unfortunately, that just is not feasible right now, so will have to support term limits.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Ron Paul would be great but I do not have his irascible spirit.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Nothing that I am sure I have permission to share at this time.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I once thought I might be able to make a comedy career where the joke was the constant refrain that I'm not funny. Unfortunately, that turned out to be true.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is usually necessary, except when it comes to human rights.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

I will absolutely vote to reduce the size and scope of government in every way, and the taxes that all Americans pay.

Campaign website

Maidment's campaign website stated the following:

OUR VALUES

LIMITED GOVERNMENT

KEEP YOUR MONEY

PEACE AND PROSPERITY

ACCOUNTABILITY

LIMITED GOVERNMENT

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTRUDES INTO EVERY PART OF OUR LIVES, VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION ALONG THE WAY.

El