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Hernando Today
Published: October 26, 2012
Updated: October 26, 2012 - 12:00 AM
The 11th Congressional district race pits former Hernando County sheriff and freshman Republican Rich Nugent against perennial Democratic candidate David Werder.
Both offer clear contrasts to voters, especially on their health care stands.
With the economy in a recession, now is not the time to launch a major overhaul of the health industry, Nugent says.
Nugent, 61, said Obamacare is ill-timed and doesn't address the associated costs. He vows to do all he can to repeal the program.
Nugent said he has talked to small business owners, all of whom say they are concerned about the potentially soaring costs associated with Obamacare.
Nugent said the key to economic recovery in his district is job creation and the uncertainty surrounding the present administration's policies are a hindrance to that growth.
"We need to be doing everything we can at the local, state and federal level to give companies a reason to believe that their investment won't be in vain," Nugent said. "We need to get them off the fence and building this country again."
Nugent said the recent announcement from Accuform Signs in Brooksville is a step in the right direction.
Accuform Signs, which operates a manufacturing facility in the county's corporate Air Park, unveiled plans for a new 304,000-square-foot facility, which will provide 271 additional jobs, nearly doubling its current work force.
"Central Florida has been hit hard by this recession ? about as hard as anywhere in this country ? and for hundreds of families in Hernando County, this is truly going to be life-changing," Nugent said. "It is a real-world reminder that when companies feel confident about what the future holds, they will invest in this country ? and that means jobs."
Nugent represents District 11, which covers all of Hernando, Citrus and Sumter counties and portions of Marion and Lake counties.
Nugent is the former sheriff of Hernando County.
While not opposed to Medicare reform, Nugent said he will fight to keep Medicare benefits unchanged for those 55 and older.
"We still need that safety net for people when they retire," said Nugent, whose district is composed heavily of Medicare recipients.
Nugent said out-of-control spending by the Obama administration must end and he would not support any tax increases for Americans.
He calls the existing tax code "broken" and calls for a more simplified system.
His Democratic opponent, David Werder, is no newcomer to running for Congress, having run for the elected office four times prior since 2002 ? most times as a write-in candidate.
Although he doesn't like Obamacare and says he believes it's a "sellout" to insurance companies, Werder said if elected he wouldn't do anything to repeal it and would instead keep it as is.
If he had it his way, he said he would prefer to see a complete government takeover of the health care system that would offer free health care to everyone, similar to other countries.
"I would like to see the government take over all the hospitals, but that will probably never happen," Werder said.
A large part of his campaign is for energy independence ? a stance that differentiates him from most Democrats, he said. Werder believes there should be more offshore and onshore drilling for oil, but also is an advocate for more solar and renewable energy initiatives
He is a critic of how Nugent was retiring Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite's hand-picked successor and his choice to file for office in 2010 immediately before the deadline, calling the act deceptive.
He characterizes Nugent as toeing the Republican Party line and said he and other Republicans have been unwilling to compromise.
However, when asked what issues he would be willing to discuss compromises, he said he didn't have an answer.
What he does want people to know is that if elected, he would work to present voters' issues at the national level.
"People should know that I'm willing to represent everyone," Werder said. "If you tell me you want me to file a bill about killing possums, I should be willing to bring that bill up, whether I'm willing to vote for it or not. I would let it stand on its own."
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