Hopefuls: Economy must top agenda

• By SARAH CHACKO
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Oct 21, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

As Election Day closes in, the three candidates running for the 6th U.S. Congressional District say the economy will be weighing on voters as they consider new leadership for the coming years.

“They’re concerned about the future and will be selecting leaders who will create a better economic environment for our country,” said state Rep. Michael Jackson, No Party-Baton Rouge.

Jackson, state Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, and incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Cazayoux, D-New Roads, are vying for the 6th District seat in a Nov. 4 election.

The election will be won by whoever gets the most votes, instead of 50 percent plus one majority that decides other elections.

Cazayoux beat Jackson for the Democratic nomination in a special election in the spring to fill the unexpired term of former 6th District U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-Baton Rouge.

Jackson chose to run in this November’s election without party affiliation. Since there is only one candidate representing each party, no primary election was necessary.

Cazayoux said the main issue is improving the economy and solving the fundamental problems that face the nation’s financial markets. An increase in transparency requirements and the creation of smarter regulations need to be pursued, he said.

“These are very innovative securities that have been created, and we need to catch up to that,” Cazayoux said.

For Cassidy, the clearest distinction between the candidates and their positions on the economy lies in the presidential leadership they stand behind.

“If voters are confused, they can look at which team we play on,” Cassidy said.

Cassidy said he has endorsed Republican presidential nominee John McCain, who says he supports lowering taxes and increasing domestic energy production.

Jackson and Cazayoux endorse Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, who Republicans criticize for wanting to raise taxes. Obama denies that claim, saying he wants to move tax cuts from people with higher to those with lower incomes.

“The question becomes, higher taxes for whom?” Jackson said.