Texomas - Energy Major Issue for Congressional Candidates

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Texomas - Energy Major Issue for Congressional Candidates

Tonight, we're starting a series of candidate profiles for the major local races before the November 4th Election. Here's a look at the race for 13th District Congress.

As local gas prices continue to drop...energy remains a hot button issue this election cycle, especially in the race for the U.S. House Of Representatives. Both Republican Mac Thornberry and Democrat Roger Waun agree that alternative energy needs to be taken seriously in Texoma. The candidates approach the issue with different priorities. Waun supports developing wind energy. Thornberry says he supports many forms of alternative energy as well, but thinks the U.S. should focus on offshore drilling.

Thornberry says, "We made one step forward by allowing the ban on offshore drilling to expire, but it's going to be awhile before we get oil out of it. We need to cut through the bureaucracy so we can get the oil out faster."

Waun says, "Domestic drilling is great, especially when it happens within the 13th congressional district. We have a congressman that wants to force drilling elsewhere at the cost of us developing wind energy."

Both candidates agree our economy needs help, and energy should be part of the solution. Thornberry says a long term energy plan will help stabilize prices and prevent supply disruptions. Waun wants to create 5 million new energy jobs nationwide in solar and wind power, and biofuel.

Waun says, "I identify with those kinds of people struggling to make ends meet. I expect to be a good voice for them when I get to congress.

"These are serious times, with big issues facing us. I think voters want people to talk about the issues and not the typical blame game that turns them off," Thornberry says.

Early voting runs through Friday.

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