Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, a Republican, is running against City Council President Martin Heinrich, a Democrat, for New Mexico's First Congressional District. The seat has been occupied by a Republican since it was created in 1969.
Energy
Heinrich:
Would start an "Apollo project" to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, create 3 million high-paying, "green-collar" jobs and lead the way in exports of green technology.
"I say 'Apollo Project' because when Kennedy was in office, he said he was going to put a man on the moon, and many people thought that he was crazy for that, but he did it.. He didn't take no for an answer, and he did what it took to solve the problems that were ahead, and I want to do the same when it comes to clean energy."
White:
Would increase the domestic supply for oil and invest in researching technology for renewable resources.
"I think that those renewable resources are a generation away, and although it is important that we invest now, we cannot rely on that energy as an answer overnight."
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Health care
Heinrich:
Would find a way for every American to have access to high-quality, affordable health care.
"We as Americans are some of the most incredibly driven people in the world, and we will find a solution for health care so that no person need sit in an emergency room and wait as their primary source of health care."
White:
Doctors and patients must be in charge of their own health care, not the government. Government-run health care will only lead to higher taxes.
" . Some politicians are advocating a risky plan that would turn over decisions about the quality of our health care to a bureaucracy with a record of poor service and poor quality control."
Iraq
Heinrich:
Would work to reverse George W. Bush's policies in Iraq and would pressure the president and Senate to pass a spending bill with a timeline for withdrawal.
"We must undertake creative and genuine diplomatic initiatives with all countries in the region so we can bring our troops home as soon as possible."
White:
Would work to deny al-Qaida a sanctuary in Iraq and wouldn't withdraw troops until the Iraqis are ready to govern.
"In Iraq, without question, serious mistakes have been made in the management of the war. Unfortunately, some politicians in Washington seem content to play politics with the issue, rather than working toward a solution that will bring our troops home."
Education
Heinrich:
Would make college more affordable for students through a series of tax credits and by enforcing student-loan regulation to protect students from high annual interest rates.
White:
Would make higher education as affordable as possible and make it easier for parents to file for money to pay for college.
Information and quotes were taken from the candidates' Web sites.
~Maggie Ybarra
