— *** Newspaper Endorsements 2014 ***—
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — The Nov. 4 election is of critical importance to all Americans – and in some ways, especially so to residents of our area who will be electing someone new to represent them in Congress. Local voters want someone upon whom they can count.
Two men, Alex Mooney of Charles Town and Nick Casey of Charleston, are running for the House of Representatives from our Second Congressional District. One of them will replace incumbent Rep. Shelley Capito, R-W.Va., who residents of the area have had reason to trust for nearly 14 years.
Mooney, a Republican like Capito, is the clear choice for residents of this area. He shares the same values and concerns of the people of north-central West Virginia.
Like many of us, Mooney is concerned deeply about President Barack Obama’s war on coal and affordable electricity. Here in our area, we certainly understand the need for good stewardship of the environment.
At the same time, we believe we can have both that and the benefits of coal industry employment and affordable electricity. Mooney agrees.
He also agrees with the concern many area residents have expressed over Obamacare. The mandate means many people will pay more for health insurance and many companies will cut back on job creation. Mooney will insist on true health care reform.
Casey, on the other hand, did all in his power to help elect Obama as president.
Again like many area residents, Mooney is strongly supportive of Second Amendment guarantees of the right to keep and bear arms. He also believes in the right to life.
Mooney wants better public schools – but through local and state initiatives, not mandates from Washington.
The national debt, approaching $18 trillion, is unsustainable, Mooney recognizes. In Congress, he would vote to rein in runaway government spending.
Local residents should appreciate Mooney’s insistence that West Virginia must receive its fair share of federal funding for infrastructure improvements, including highways and bridges.
Mooney has been endorsed by several organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Businesses, National Rifle Association, National Right to Life Committee, West Virginia Coal Association and the West Virginia Farm Bureau.
The News and Sentinel endorses Mooney for Congress from the Second District. Voters in our region should elect him to the House of Representatives for the good of both our state and our area.
Follow the Parkersburg News and Sentinel’s endorsements and news coverage at http://www.newsandsentinel.com/