The two major candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives 1st Congressional District race are, in many ways, polar opposites.
And they seem to prefer it that way.
"We disagree on pretty much everything," DFL incumbent Tim Walz told the Pioneer Press earlier this month.
During his time in office, Walz, a former teacher and coach at Mankato West High School, has served on three committees in the U.S. House: Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure and Veterans Affairs. Davis is a doctor at Rochester's Mayo Clinic and is making his first run for political office. Thus far Walz, who unseated longtime Republican representative Gil Gutknecht in 2006, has outraised Davis by a significant margin. According to the Pioneer Press, Walz raised $225,287 the last fundraising period while Davis raised $116,609.
When it comes to most issues, the two candidates offer voters a stark contrast.
As gas prices continue to climb, many candidates are quick to talk about drilling and oil options. Walz and Davis are no exception. Walz favors a hesitant approach to drilling while Davis supports aggressive drilling for natural gas and oil.
On the issue of foreign policy, Davis believes in a strong offensive strategy to ensure national security.
"I believe we must be open to addressing and adapting our strategy in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan," he notes on his Web site. "However, I'm more committed than ever that we remain on the offensive when it comes to our global conflict with radical Islamists. We must remain diligent and steadfast in our pro-active response to these radicals who are intent on harming America."
Walz, a military veteran, opposes the war in Iraq and also tends to focus on veterans' affairs when talk turns to the military and war. During his time in office he introduced the Veterans Travel Program Reform Act and introduced and fought for the Veterans Pain Care Act of 2008.
Walz's other platform issues include transportation, immigration, the environment, education and fiscal responsibility.
Davis' campaign focuses on taxes and spending, health care, job creation, immigration, national security, terrorism and conservative values, including protecting the life of the unborn and the institution of marriage.
Walz has tried to position himself as a centrist, rather than just catering toward the voters of his Democratic Party.
Social security is another issue that finds the opponents on opposite sides of the fence. Davis supports giving young workers more control over what they put into social security. He said that because social security is currently in surplus, his approach would offer a long-term solution.
Walz favors continuing the current approach to social security so that those depending on it know it will be there in the future.
Nia Jonesz is the Reporter news editor
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