Candidates for U S House of Representatives, 2nd Congressional District
May 11, 2010 Primary Election
CANDIDATE NAME Shelley Moore Capito
COUNTY Kanawha
PARTY Republican
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Member, U.S. Congress serving on the House Transportation & Infrastructure and Financial Services Committees. Ranking Member, House Select Committee on Independence and Global Warming. Founding Member, Congressional Coal Caucus. Former Member, West Virginia House of Delegates. Former Career Counselor, West Virginia State University. Graduate, Duke University and University of Virginia
QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?
ANSWER
My “all the above” energy plan focuses on using existing energy sources like coal and natural gas at the same time that we invest in alternative energy and clean coal technology. I support lifting the current ban on offshore drilling and investing a portion of the revenues in alternative energy.
QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?
ANSWER
West Virginians want leaders in Washington who will listen to their concerns and focus on the issue that matters most: improving the economy and reducing spending. They’re tired of seeing unemployment get worse while taxpayer dollars went to bank bailouts and failed “stimulus” plans.
OFFICE U. S. House of Representatives
2nd Congressional District
CANDIDATE NAME Virginia Lynch Graf
COUNTY Jefferson
PARTY Democratic
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
My experiences as innovator, educator and activist enable me to legislate intelligently, creatively and fairly. A democratic republic succeeds when elected officials work towards the common good. Discipline required for a doctorate in ministry taught me not only research techniques, but skills for transforming ecumenical, theological and pastoral studies into practical applications.
QUESTION 1. What do you think is necessary to address the issue of climate change?
ANSWER
Learning to use critical thinking skills is necessary to address climate change. Many citizens are unable to distinguish between punditry and research. Such indistinction, recognized by corporations invested in fossil fuels, led to a campaign of misinformation across America. Doubts about the reality of climate change has succeeded even among Congressional members.
QUESTION 2. What steps would you advocate to bring the federal budget into balance?
ANSWER
The federal budget, rarely balanced, could achieve deficit reduction by: re-establishing the estate tax for estates valued over $350,000,000 to return some fortune to the society which enabled its success; ending the 10 year wars costing over $3 trillion; discontinuing subsidies to countries and companies harming American well being.