9th Congressional Candidates on Jobs

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - For many, this election is all about the economy. So, who will Oakland County be sending to Congress and how will they create jobs here?

"There isn't anything more important than jobs in Michigan, getting the Michigan economy moving forward," said Congressman Gary Peters.

He is a former businessman and veteran, as well as the incumbent in a heated race to represent the 9th congressional district in Washington D.C.

Here at home where Michigan's unemployment rate is still 13-percent, he says his focus is on small businesses and the jobs they can provide.

"First and foremost right now, access to loans, the inability to get loans that they need," Peters said.

The congressman says he's worked on the small business lending bill just signed into law.

"It will help Michigan businesses get the capital they need to grow, to expand and to add jobs. That is my focus and will continue to be my focus in the next two years," said Peters.

His focus is also on his opponent Rocky Raczkowski, who is a businessman, veteran and politician.

An attack ad for Peters says, "It's true. Rocky Raczkowski is being sued by his former business partners for theft, fraud and conspiracy." It's one he staunchly defends.

"It's a truthful ad, and it certainly is something that the voters have a right to know," said Peters.

"This is my corporation that was sued for basically selling tickets at a concert, and it was a frivolous lawsuit. It's been thrown out once in Texas. It's going to be thrown out again in South Dakota," said Raczkowski.

For his part, Raczkowski dismisses the ad as a desperate attempt by Peters to keep his job.

"We never wanted Obama-care in Oakland County. We never wanted cap and trade. We never wanted the stimulus that would raise taxes and include more government waste," Raczkowski said.

He says what voters do want is jobs, and the way to create jobs is tax cuts.

"We truly need to give tax breaks and cut the harmful regulation across the board for individuals, as well as businesses. We have some of the highest tax rates in the world," said Raczkowski. "It's a two year contract. That's all I'm asking for, and if they don't like what they've got right now, I'm asking them to vote for us as an alternative."

Raczkowski and Peters aren't the only 9th congressional candidates. Green Party candidate Douglas Campbell and independent Dr. Matthew Kuofie both have their own ideas about job creation.

"We have over 2,000 plus international experts that are working for me that we know can bring in jobs," said Kuofie.

"I would simply repeat the successes of the past by proposing another 'Works Progress' administration," said Campbell. "Directly putting people to work (and) not stimulating corporations and hoping for a trickle down."

Also running are independent Bob Gray and Adam Goodman from the Libertarian Party, who says the federal government should stick to coining money, supporting the military and regulating the Postal Service.