Republican incumbent for the 14th Congressional District Dennis Hastert said his record in office is one of the main advantages why voters should elect him for a second term.

“Experience is the obvious advantage over my opponent,” he said.

Hastert, who is running against Democratic candidate Donald Westphal, said one of his concerns is lowering the economic burdens the government is placing on its citizens.

“One of the things we have to make sure of is a stable economy. Our district shouldn’t have to rely on one company such as Caterpillar. We also should move governments off the backs of farmers,” Hastert said, referring to the local economy.

Hastert said the United States can curb the chances of a recession by narrowing the deficit, which can be done by relieving pressure on capital markets. Interest rates also should be reduced to help avoid a recession, he said.

He said he has mixed feelings over the crisis in the MIddle East.

On the one hand, he said he feels the United States shouldn’t be so dependent on foreign oil, but he said he feels President Bush did the right thing “considering the circumstances.”

To help reduce the tax burden on American families, Hastert recently introduced the Taxflation Protection Act of 1990. This bill prevents the erosion of the personal exemption by inflation, he said.