Statement of Nick Casey Following the Candidate Forum Sponsored by the West Virginia Business & Industry Council

Statement

"I just debated my opponent in this race and it was an eye opening experience. His performance today made it clear that he is not familiar with the challenges facing West Virginia businesses or with the Second Congressional District. His remarks at every turn showed him to be a career politician who is well-versed in how to speak through the talking points of Washington, DC.

It was clear to me that he has little familiarity with the specifics of the issues facing our state's businesses and that he had nearly no personal connection with any of the individuals and groups there today on behalf of the Business & Industry Council.

You can't be a Marylander and become a West Virginian who knows the state by just renting a house across the border.

And because my opponent is a former 10-year member of the Maryland Senate, I was astounded to hear today that he advocates cutting funds from the federal public transit budget as a solution to the crisis facing the Federal Highway Trust Fund--an action that would dramatically and negatively impact the MARC commuter train service that the eastern panhandle of our state relies on.

The uncompromising views of my opponent will undoubtedly produce more gridlock and division in Washington, and will hurt West Virginia and Maryland.

I'm running to be problem-solver who will work with both sides to find common-ground. I've been endorsed by several business and labor organizations and I have significant bi-partisan support as well with many leading Republicans having already endorsed my candidacy and more than one-third of my individual contributions have come from Republicans. As further evidence of the growing difficulties my opponent is having in unifying his own party, I would note that there was a news account today revealing that his two leading opponents from the Primary Election and the most recent former GOP state chairman will not commit to voting for him in November."

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