Democratic voters in the U.S. House of Representatives' 18th district will decide on March 2 who will face U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, R-St. Clairsville, in the November election.
Both Democratic candidates, Paul Richards and Brian Thomas, have supported each other's campaign in an effort to oust Ney.
Richards has no previous political experience, but he said he wants to correct major problems facing the district, including a high unemployment rate and the misallocation of funds to Iraq that could be better used in the United States.
Richards, an Athens County resident, said he sees the Republican-dominated House of Representatives as a major source of these problems.
What we need is a powerful Democrat
Richards said. Mr. Ney may be good for the rich but he is no good for the working people and poor. We have nine out of the 16 counties in the district with some of the highest unemployment rates.
Richards was against going to war, but said he supports the troops now stationed in the Middle East because he once served in the military. But he believes the Bush administration misled the American people before going to Iraq.
The country used to be honest and now it's lying and misleading
Richards said.
Richards said he was drawn into politics after seeing a growing disregard for the working class in the district.
If I'm elected to Congress
I want to see the billions of dollars being used in Iraq used in this country
Richards said. I want to reduce the deficit and use the money that is being used for the national defense used to help the American people. I want to change the unemployment picture.
Thomas also said he is concerned the working class is not being represented in Congress.
I believe the voice of the people has to be heard and it is not being heard
Thomas said. It is easy to make tax policy without having to struggle to pay your taxes. For me it is about bringing the common-man's view and common sense back to politics.
Thomas, a Carroll County resident, has been involved in politics since the mid-1990s. He recently worked with the United Auto Workers Union on the executive council to help decide which candidates the union would support.
The major issues Thomas wants addressed include inadequate materials for the armed forces overseas, the disappearance of family farms and free trade.
(Free trade) is destroying our work force and our companies
Thomas said. I think if we focus on the free trade we will get jobs. We need to stop the attacks on the common man.
Thomas said he also is concerned with the current economic policy of the Bush administration and thinks it is time for more fiscal discipline. He also is worried about growing apathy of the American public regarding politics.
Most people have an averse opinion of the political system
Thomas said. The entire political system needs to come back to the mainstream.
If Thomas wins in the March primary, he said he can beat Ney by addressing the issues from an under-represented perspective.
The way I plan on running against such a well-entrenched incumbent is by facing the issues from the common man's view
Thomas said.
Both Richards and Thomas have pledged support for each other.
Paul Richards is a really nice guy. I have nothing but respect for him
Thomas said.
Richards said he and Thomas are friends.
I can't say a bad thing about Brian Thomas
