Mark Gibson (Democrat)

What would your top priority be, if elected?

My top priority is making sure that American families and small businesses get the benefits of our growing economy through increased grants and tax credits for small businesses. My opponent has ensured only the wealthy and corporations actually prosper.

What do you think is the greatest challenge facing your district?

The greatest challenge we face is that we have a do-nothing incumbent, who is part of the do-nothing Congress. We need actual leadership.

As health care costs continue to rise nationwide, if elected how would you work to ensure your constituents have access to the care and medications they need?

Congress needs to expand tax credits for small businesses and create caps on premiums to keep health care costs down.

Pete Olson (Republican, incumbent)

Hometown: Sugar Land 202-225-5951 (Capitol office) 281-494-2690 (Sugar Land office) www.olsonforcongress.com

What would your top priority be, if elected?

My top priority is always to represent Texas-22 as my constituents expect me to; those priorities change on any given day. Initially, much of my time was spent helping constituents with Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance post-Hurricane Ike and fighting for a comprehensive space policy to enhance the great work being done at the Johnson Space Center. Now, the district includes a much larger energy, health care and technology presence. On the Energy and Commerce Committee, I’m working to strengthen our economy by limiting excessive federal regulations that hinder job growth.

What do you think is the greatest challenge facing your district?

That would be our exploding national debt. Four-star admirals have called our debt the greatest threat to our security. Economic experts say our debt is a killer of future economic prosperity. As a father two teenagers, I know our debt condemns them to a worse America than our parents gave us. That’s why we need a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This is the only mechanism that forces the federal government to live within its means the same way the state of Texas must.

As health care costs continue to rise nationwide, if elected how would you work to ensure your constituents have access to the care and medications they need?

Since “Obamacare” became law, it has increased costs, reduced patient choice and created burdensome federal mandates for health providers. I believe the American Health Care Reform Act is the best solution. It would repeal “Obamacare” and replace it with a competitive health care market that allows Americans to buy insurance across state lines and small businesses to pool together to negotiate better rates. It also allows individuals with pre-existing conditions to move between insurance markets. This plan cuts regulations and increases patient choices without new taxes or mandates.