Titus talks energy jobs, elections

September 2, 2010 by Catherine Rex 

Congresswoman points out differences between her and opponent’s records, policies

After being in congressional office for 18 months, incumbent Dina Titus is back in the campaign saddle, running against Joe Heck for District 3.

At a UNLV press conference Tuesday, Titus addressed the issues of Nevada’s high foreclosure and unemployment rates, reviving Nevada’s economy and the differences between her and Heck.

District 3 is the most populous district in the country due to Las Vegas’ rapid growth over the past decade. There are 1 million people in this district, and many are facing hardships.

“[Nevada] has the highest foreclosure and unemployment rate in the country, so a lot of our attention in my congressional office is focused on constituent services,” Titus said.

These services include housing workshops and business procurement workshops.

During the housing workshops, homeowners meet with counselors and bank representatives to renegotiate their mortgages. In the Legislature, Heck opposed Titus’ bill that sought to compel insurance companies to cover the HPV vaccine. She said he also voted against the health care bill.

According to Titus, their differences run even deeper.

“He’s always been on the side of big oil, big banks and big companies and I’ve been on the side of the public,” Titus said.
“He says it’s not the responsibility of Congress to create jobs and I believe it’s very important for Congress to create jobs, especially when unemployment rates are so high.”

She cited work ethic and experience in her list of vote-winning qualities.

“I would ask you to vote for me because I’ve been working very hard to earn your support. I have experience in the Legislature. I know the state and the issues. Nobody’s ever questioned my ethics or my work ethic,” Titus said.

To help sway undecided voters, Titus’ campaign is focusing on Democrats, women and independents.

“[I] know that off- year elections favor the party that is out of office, so we need to find the Obama voters and Democratic voters and make sure that they turn out,” she told the audience.

“Women are often the deciding voters and are being targeted by both parties. Independents are being targeted because they are often the most undecided and they vote for the person, not a slate of policies.”

Titus said that if she is re-elected, she will make sure that the programs in District 3 have the resources they need and she will continue to work on the housing crisis and reviving the economy.

“Legislation is not set in stone. It continues to evolve and as programs come along, bills will continue to be improved upon and revised,” she said.

“In terms of new issues, you never know what issues are going to present themselves and you have to be ready to address things that come along.”

Joe Heck will speak at UNLV in a student press conference next month.