William Hollis Long II is an American auctioneer and politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 7th congressional district since 2011. The district includes much of the southwestern quadrant of the state and is anchored in Springfield. The district also includes Joplin and the popular tourist destination of Branson. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected to fill the district's vacant seat in the 2010 midterm elections following the successful election of Roy Blunt to the U.S. Senate.
Early life and education
A fourth-generation native of Missouri, Long was born in Springfield in 1955. He attended the University of Missouri and was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity prior to dropping out. After taking time off from school for three years, Long decided to attend a nine-day training program at the Missouri Auction School in Kansas City. He received his Certified Auctioneer designation via the National Auctioneers Association.
Long joined the race for the 7th Congressional District after incumbent U.S. Representative Roy Blunt chose to run for the U.S. Senate seat that was being vacated by Kit Bond. In the crowded seven-way Republican primary—the de facto real election in the most Republican district in the state—Long won with 36 percent of the vote.
General Election
2012
2014
In the August 5, 2014 primary race, Long defeated sole Republican challenger Marshall Works 62.4% to 37.6%.
2016
On August 2, Bill Long defeated Republican candidates Nathan Clay, Christopher Batsche, Matthew Evans, Lyndle Spencer, Matthew Canovi, James Nelson and Mary Byrne in the Republican primaries.
2018
In the 2018 Republican primaries, Congressman Long defeated Republican challengers Jim Evans, Lance Norris, and Benjamin Holcomb. In the general election, he defeated Democratic nominee Jamie Schoolcraft, who had defeated Democrats Kenneth Hatfield, John Farmer de la Torre, and Vincent Jennings.
Long supported President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order to impose a temporary ban on entry to the U.S. to citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries. He stated that "President Trump’s recent executive order on national security shows how keeping Americans safe remains one of his top priorities. Allowing agencies to reevaluate the refugee resettlement program is a commonsense approach to making sure that happens."
Abortion
Congressman Long is notably pro-life, stating he is "100% pro-life" on his congressional website. Long is anti-Roe v Wade and said that the judiciary deciding on the topic of abortion does not give the American people the opportunity to choose for themselves through elected representatives. Long said on his congressional website: "When the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade in 1973, it threw open the doors for abortion without giving the people an opportunity to make their views known on the issue through their elected representatives. The judicial protection for abortion has unfortunately continued in opposition to the expressed will of the majority of the people." Long is in favor of cutting government funding to Planned Parenthood and is a member of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus.
Immigration
Long believes in "legal, regulated, and appropriate levels of immigration", according to his election website, but urges response to illegal immigration over the American–Mexican border. Long believes illegal immigration disrupts American society, and allows for criminals, drug traffickers, and terrorists to enter the United States unchecked. In a 2010 campaign website, Congressman Long stated, "Our nation is built upon laws. People cannot be allowed to come into our nation illegally and become a drain on taxpayer money by taking advantage of our social safety net. Billy opposes liberals' amnesty efforts, which will do nothing to stem the tide of illegal immigration. Continuing to turn our back on illegal immigration is a national security issue that drains our economy and rewards people who knowingly violate our laws. We literally can no longer afford to ignore this problem."
