Kilroy talks change

By Kevin Carr
Contributing Writer
Union County Post

The Democratic Party has targeted several key races in the U.S. House of Representatives this year, hoping to gain control for the first time since 1994. One of these key seats is Ohio’s 15th district, currently held by Republican Deborah Pryce. Challenger Mary Jo Kilroy sees this as a race she can win.
Kilroy, 56, has been a Franklin County Commissioner for the past six years. She began her political career in 1992 when she was elected to the Columbus Board of Education. Her experience in her local positions will help her in her duties as a member of the House of Representatives, she told the Union County Post.
“ The part of Franklin County that I will bring to Washington is an understanding of balancing budgets,” she said.
The thrust of Kilroy’s campaign is a message of change.
“ We need a Congress that will stand up and ask the tough questions, that will hold the President accountable for the failed policies and have a new set of priorities,” she said.
These priorities, Kilroy said, include access to higher education and health care.
Kilroy also wants the House of Representatives to raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour, an option that has been brought before Congress seven times in a five-week period.
“ Deborah Pryce and the Republican Congress wouldn’t give an approximate $2 per hour wage increase for those working at minimum wage, but gave themselves a $30,000 wage increase,” Kilroy said.
Other issues she supports are veterans’ rights, including access to health care and other support. Kilroy notes the war in Iraq is going to produce more veterans who need the country’s support.
George Rasley, Pryce’s director of communications, sees taxes and illegal immigration as the top issues in the campaign. He focuses on the tax cuts in Pryce’s record.
“ Pryce is a fiscal conservative who believes in cutting taxes,” he told the Post. “Kilroy is a radical liberal who has raised taxes in every elected position she has held.”
Kilroy is promoting a tax relief plan to help first-time home buyers.
Rasley sees these efforts as a way to shift numbers from a Republican-sponsored plan.
“ Congresswoman Pryce’s tax relief plans have been focused on three areas: relief for working families; relief for people with children and finally incentives for job creation,” he said.
To many Democrats, gaining control of Congress is a priority in this mid-term election.
“ I think it’s critical for this country,” Kilroy said.
Rasley says that it is important for the Republicans to retain control of Congress in order to deal with illegal immigration, and keep taxes low.
Kilroy has a lot to say about her opponent’s political relationship with President Bush.
“ She has been a cheerleader for the failed policies of the Bush administration,” Kilroy said. “I think she’s worried that the President’s job approval numbers are so low, and she’s running away from her record of support from the President.”
Central Ohioans will have a chance to see the differences between the candidates during their October 12 debate at the Columbus Metropolitan Club.